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〃There are events which may turn to our harm； most revered princess。 The master of this house〃
〃Why do you not call him my father； Kamaiakan？〃 interposed the other。 〃He is indeed the father of this mortal body which I wear； which （as you tell me） bears the name of Miriam。 Besides； are not Miriam and I united by the thread of descent？〃
〃Something of the spirit that is you dwells in her also；〃 said the Indian。
〃And does she know of it？〃
〃At times； my princess； but only as one remembers a dream。〃
〃I wish I might converse with her and instruct her in the truth；〃 said the princess。 〃And she； in turn； might speak to me of things that perplex me。 I live and move in this mortal world； and yet （you tell me） three centuries have passed since what is called my death。 To me it seems as if I had but slept through a night； and were awake again。 Nor can I tell what has happenedwhat my life and thoughts have beenduring this long lapse of time。 Yet it must be that I live another life： I cannot rest in extinction。 Three times you have called me forth； yet whence I come hither； or whither I return； is unknown to me。〃
〃There is a memory of the spirit；〃 replied Kamaiakan； 〃and a memory of the body。 They are separate； and cannot communicate with each other。 Such is the law。〃
〃Yet I remember； as if it were yesterday； the things that were done when Montezuma was king。 And well do I remember you； Kamaiakan！〃
〃It is true I live again； princess； though not in the flesh and bones that died with you in the past。 But in the old days I was acquainted with mysteries； and learned the secrets of the world of spirits； and this science still remained with me after the change； so that I was able to know that I was I； and that you could be recalled to speak with me through the tongue of Miriam。 But there are some things that I do not know； and it is for that I have been bold to summon you。〃
〃What can I tell you that can be of use to you in this present life； Kamaiakan； when all whom we knew and loved are gone？〃
〃To you only； Semitzin； is known the place of concealment of the treasure which； in the old times； you and I hid in the desert。 I indeed remember the event； and somewhat of the region of the hiding； but I cannot put my hand upon the very spot。 I have tried to discover it； but when I approach it my mind becomes confused between the present and the past； and I am lost。〃
〃I remember it well；〃 said Semitzin。 〃We rode across the desert； carrying the treasure on mules。 The air was still； and the heat very heavy。 The desert descended in a great hollow： you told me it was where； in former days； the ocean had been。 At last there were rocky hills before us； we rode towards a great rock shaped like the pyramid on which the sacrifices were held in Tenochtitlan。 We passed round its base； and entered a deep and narrow valley； that seemed to have been ploughed out of the heart of the earth and to descend into it。 Then But what is it you wish to do with this treasure； Kamaiakan？〃
〃It belongs to your race； princess； and was hidden that the murderers of Montezuma might not seize it。 I was bound by an oath； after the peril was past； to restore it to the rightful owners。 But our country remained under the rule of the conquerors； and my life went out。 But now the conquerors have been conquered in their turn； and Miriam is the last inheritor of your blood。 When I have delivered to her this trust； my work will be done； and I can return to the world which you inhabit。 The time is come； and only by your help can the restitution be made。〃
〃Was there； then； a time fixed？〃
〃The stars tell me so。 And other events make it certain that there must be no delay。 The general has it in mind to discover the gates through which the waters under…ground may arise and again form the sea which flowed hereabouts in the ancient times。 Now； this sea will fill the ravine in which the treasure lies； and make it forever unattainable。 A youth has also come here who is skilled in the sciences； and whom the general will ask to help him in the thing he is to attempt。〃
〃Who is this youth？〃 asked Semitzin。
〃He is of the new people who inherit this land： his name is Freeman。〃
〃There is something in meI know not whatthat seems to tell me I have been near such a one。 Can it be so？〃
〃The other self； who now sleeps； knows of him；〃 replied the ancient Indian。 〃He is a well…looking youth； and I think he has a desire towards her we call Miriam。〃
〃And does she love him？〃 inquired the princess。
〃A maiden's heart is a riddle； even to herself；〃 said Kamaiakan。
〃But there is a sympathy that makes me feel her heart in my own；〃 rejoined Semitzin。 〃Love is a thing that pierces through time； and through barriers which separate the mind and memory of the past from the present。 Ias you know； Kamaiakanwas never wedded； the fate of our people； and my early end； kept that from me。 But the thought of that youth is here；〃she put her hand on her bosom；〃and it seems to me that； were we to meet； I should know him。 Perhaps； were that to be； Miriam and I might thus come to be aware of each other； and live henceforth one life。〃
〃Such matters are beyond my knowledge；〃 said the Indian； shaking his head。 〃The gods know what will be。 It is for us； now； to regain the treasure。 Are you willing； my princess； to accompany me thither？〃
〃I am ready。 Shall it be now？〃
〃Not now； but soon。 I will call you when the moment comes。 The place is but a ride of two or three hours from here。 None must know of our departure； for there are some here whom I do not trust。 We must go by night。 You will wear the garments you now have on； without which all might miscarry。〃
〃How can the garments affect the result； Kamaiakan？〃
〃A powerful spell is laid upon them； princess。 Moreover； the characters wrought upon them； with gold thread and jewels； are mystical； and the substance of the garment itself has a virtue to preserve the wearer from evil。 It is the same that was worn by you when the treasure was hidden； and it may be； Semitzin； that without its magic aid your spirit could not know itself in this world as now it can。〃
As he spoke the last words； a low sound； wandering and muttering with an inward note； came palpitating on their ears through the night air。 It seemed to approach from no direction that could be identified； yet it was at first remote； and then came nearer； and in a moment trembled around them； and shivered in the solid earth beneath their feet； and in another instant it had passed on； and was subdued slowly into silence in the shadowy distance。 No one who has once heard that sound can mistake it for any other； or ever can forget it。 The air had suddenly become close and tense； and now a long breeze swept like a sigh through the garden； dying away in a long…drawn wail； and out of the west came a hollow murmur； like that of a mighty wave breaking upon the shore of the ocean。
〃The earthquake！〃 whispered Kamaiakan； rising to his feet。 And then he pointed to the stone basin。 〃Look！ the spring！〃
〃It is gone！〃 exclaimed Semitzin。
And； in truth； the water； with a strange； sucking noise； disappeared through the bottom of