A LEGEND OF THE SAVANNAH.
301
but it is no use repining now ; I have given my word, and, right or wrong, Zulmiera will stand by it." The long eyelashes fell over her burning eyes, and the beating of her heart sounded audibly, and shook her very frame ; but recovering herself, she continued—" There is another subject to be discussed, Cuanaboa ; the daughter of the governor is my dearest friend, and therefore she must be preserved unharmed throughout the fray, guarded with the most scrupulous care, and I look to you to place her in safety. Dost thou comprehend what I say ?" " Yes, lady ; and I was going to remark, when you interrupted me, that as you wish certain of the enemy saved alive, particularly the fair youth you mentioned just now, it would be well for you to give your orders to Guacanagari ; and for that purpose I would advise you to visit the cave to-morrow evening, when we intend holding a serious assembly and dance, previous to commencing the attack. Guacanagari will be rejoiced to meet you, and he will be as fond of the maiden and the youth as I am ;" and a very sinister expression, but unobserved by Zulmiera, passed over the face of the Carib chief. " Besides, lady, it is but right that Guacanagari should know his queen — never Carib had one before." " I will attend," replied Zulmiera. " And now, as it is past midnight, 'tis time we parted ;" so saying, she bowed to. the Carib, and drawing her mantle around her, walked away with all the dignity of a sovereign. Keeping his dark eye fixed upon her as long as she continued in sight, no sooner had the intervening shrubs screened her from his view, than, throwing himself upon the ground, the Carib broke into a shrill laugh. " And so the haughty beauty thinks that a people who have scarcely known control, will bend their shoulders to the dominion of a girl and a white-faced boy !—ha ! ha ! If the wild kites chose a king, would it be a colibri ?* No ! Should the Caribs fol* The Indian name for the humming bird.