II。
BeforealittlewaxenimageoftheMotherandChild，——anoddlittleVirginwithanIndianface，broughthomebyFeliuasagiftafteroneofhisMexicanvoyages，——CarmenVioscahadburnedcandlesandprayed；sometimestellingherbeads；sometimesmurmuringthelitaniessheknewbyheart；sometimesalsoreadingfromaprayer—bookwornandgreasyasalong—usedpackofcards。
Itwasparticularlystainedatonepage，apageonwhichhertearshadfallenmanyalonelynight——apagewithaclumsywoodcutrepresentingacelestiallamp，asymbolicradiance，shiningthroughdarkness，andoneithersideakneelingangelwithfoldedwings。AndbeneaththisrudelywroughtsymbolofthePerpetualCalmappearedinbig，coarsetypethetitleofaprayerthathasbeenofferedupthroughmanyacentury，doubtless，bywivesofSpanishmariners，——ContralasTempestades。
Onceshebecameverymuchfrightened。Afterapartiallullthestormhadsuddenlyredoubleditsforce：thegroundshook；thehousequiveredandcreaked；thewindbrayedandscreamedandpushedandscuffledatthedoor；andthewater，whichhadbeenwhippinginthrougheverycrevice，allatonceroseoverthethresholdandfloodedthedwelling。Carmendippedherfingerinthewaterandtastedit。Itwassalt!
AndnoneofFeliu’sboatshadyetcomein；——doubtlesstheyhadbeendrivenintosomefar—awaybayousbythestorm。Theonlyboatatthesettlement，theCarmencita，hadbeenalmostwreckedbyrunninguponasnagthreedaysbefore；——therewasatleastafortnight’sworkfortheship—carpenterofDeadCypressPoint。
AndFeliuwassleepingasifnothingunusualhadhappened——theheavysleepofasailor，heedlessofcommotionsandvoices。Andhismen，MiguelandMateo，wereattheotherendofthecheniere。
WithascreamCarmenarousedFeliu。Heraisedhimselfuponhiselbow，rubbedhiseyes，andaskedher，withexasperatingcalmness，\"Quetienes？quetienes？\"（Whatailsthee？）
——\"Oh，Feliu!theseaiscominguponus!\"sheanswered，inthesametongue。Butshescreamedoutawordinspiredbyherfear：
shedidnotcry，\"Senosvieneelmarencima!\"but\"SenosvieneLAALTURA!\"——thenamethatconveystheterriblethoughtofdepthswallowedupinheight，——theheightofthehighsea。
\"Nolocreo!\"mutteredFeliu，lookingatthefloor；theninaquiet，deepvoicehesaid，pointingtoanoarinthecorneroftheroom，\"Echameeseremo。\"
Shegaveittohim。Stillrecliningupononeelbow，Feliumeasuredthedepthofthewaterwithhisthumbnailuponthebladeoftheoar，andthenbadeCarmenlighthispipeforhim。
Hiscalmnessreassuredher。Forhalfanhourmore，undismayedbytheclamoringofthewindorthecallingofthesea，Feliusilentlysmokedhispipeandwatchedhisoar。Thewaterrosealittlehigher，andhemadeanothermark；——thenitclimbedalittlemore，butnotsorapidly；andhesmiledatCarmenashemadeathirdmark。\"Comocreia!\"heexclaimed，\"nohayporqueasustarse：elaguabaja!\"AndasCarmenwouldhavecontinuedtopray，herebukedherfears，andbadehertrytoobtainsomerest：
\"Bastayadeplegarios，querida!——veteyduerme。\"Histone，thoughkindly，wasimperative；andCarmen，accustomedtoobeyhim，laidherselfdownbyhisside，andsoon，forveryweariness，slept。
Itwasafeverishsleep，nevertheless，shatteredatbriefintervalsbyterriblesounds，soundsmagnifiedbyhernervouscondition——asleepvisitedbydreamsthatmingledinastrangewaywiththeimpressionsofthestorm，andmorethanoncemadeherheartstop，andstartagainatitsownstopping。Oneofthesefanciesshenevercouldforget——adreamaboutlittleConcha，——Conchita，herfirstborn，whonowsleptfarawayintheoldchurchyardatBarcelona。Shehadtriedtobecomeresigned，——nottothink。Butthechildwouldcomebacknightafternight，thoughtheearthlayheavyuponher——nightafternight，throughlongdistancesofTimeandSpace。Oh!thefanciedclingingofinfant—lips!——thethrillingtouchoflittleghostlyhands!——thosephantom—caressesthattorturemothers’hearts!……
Nightafternight，throughmanyamonthofpain。Thenforatimethegentlepresenceceasedtohaunther，——seemedtohavelaindowntosleepforeverunderthehighbrightgrassandyellowflowers。Whydiditreturn，thatnightofallnights，tokissher，toclingtoher，tonestleinherarms？
ForinherdreamshethoughtherselfstillkneelingbeforethewaxenImage，whiletheterrorsofthetempestwereeverdeepeningabouther，——ravingofwindsandboomingofwatersandashakingoftheland。Andbeforeher，evenassheprayedherdream—prayer，thewaxenVirginbecametallasawoman，andtaller，——risingtotheroofandsmilingasshegrew。ThenCarmenwouldhavecriedoutforfear，butthatsomethingsmotheredhervoice，——paralyzedhertongue。AndtheVirginsilentlystoopedaboveher，andplacedinherarmstheChild，——thebrownChildwiththeIndianface。AndtheChildwhitenedinherhandsandchanged，——seemingasitchangedtosendasharppainthroughherheart：anoldpainlinkedsomehowwithmemoriesofbrightwindySpanishhills，andsummerscentofolivegroves，andalltheluminousPast；——itlookedintoherfacewiththesoftdarkgaze，withtheunforgottensmileof……deadConchita!
AndCarmenwishedtothank；thesmilingVirginforthatpricelessbliss，andlifteduphereyes，butthesicknessofghostlyfearreturneduponherwhenshelooked；fornowtheMotherseemedasawomanlongdead，andthesmilewasthesmileoffleshlessness，andtheplacesoftheeyeswerevoidsanddarknesses……Andtheseasentupsovastaroarthatthedwellingrocked。
Carmenstartedfromsleeptofindherheartthrobbingsothatthecouchshookwithit。Nightwasgrowinggray；thedoorhadjustbeenopenedandslammedagain。Throughtherain—whippedpanesshediscernedthepassingshapeofFeliu，makingforthebeach——abroadandbeardedsilhouette，bendingagainstthewind。StillthewaxenVirginsmiledherMexicansmile，——butnowshewasonlysevenincheshigh；andherbead—glasseyesseemedtotwinklewithkindlinesswhiletheflameofthelastexpiringtaperstruggledforlifeintheearthensocketatherfeet。
III。
RainandablindskyandaburstingseaFeliuandhismen，MiguelandMateo，lookedoutuponthethunderingandflashingofthemonstroustide。Thewindhadfallen，andthegrayairwasfullofgulls。Behindthecheniere，backtothecloudylineoflowwoodsmanymilesaway，stretchedawashoflead—coloredwater，withagreenpointpiercingithereandthere——elbow—bushesorwildcanetallenoughtokeeptheirheadsabovetheflood。Buttheinundationwasvisiblydecreasing；——withthepassingofeachhourmoreandmoregreenpatchesandpointshadbeenshowingthemselves：bydegreesthecourseofthebayouhadbecomedefined——twoparallelwindinglinesofdwarf—timberandbushyshrubstraversingthewatertowardthedistantcypress—swamps。
Beforethechenierealltheshell—beachslopewaspiledwithwreck——uptorntreeswiththefoliagestillfreshuponthem，splinteredtimbersofmysteriousorigin，andlogsinmultitude，scarredwithgashesoftheaxe。Feliuandhiscomradeshadsavedwoodenoughtobuildalittletown，——workinguptotheirwaistsinthesurf，withropes，poles，andboat—hooks。Thewholeseawasfullofflotsam。VotoaCristo!——whatawreckingtheremusthavebeen!AndtothinktheCarmencitacouldnotbetakenout!
Theyhadseenotherluggersmakingeastwardduringthemorning——couldrecognizesomebytheirsails，othersbytheirgait，——exaggeratedintheirstrugglewiththepitchingofthesea：theSanPablo，theGasparina，theEnriqueta，theAgueda，theConstanza。Uglywater，yes!——butwhatachanceforwreckers!……Somegreatshipmusthavegonetopieces；——scoresofcaskswererollinginthetrough，——casksofwine。PerhapsitwastheManila，——perhapstheNautilus!
AdeadcowfloatednearenoughforMateotothrowhisropeoveronehorn；andtheyallhelpedtogetitout。Itwasamilchcowofsomeexpensivebreed；andtheowner’sbrandhadbeenburneduponthehorns：——amonographiccombinationofthelettersAandP。Feliusaidheknewthatbrand：Old—manPreaulx，ofBelle—Isle，whokeptasortofdairyatLastIslandduringthesummerseason，usedtomarkallhiscowsthatway。Strange!
But，astheyworkedon，theybegantoseestrangerthings，——whitedeadfacesanddeadhands，whichdidnotlooklikethehandsorthefacesofdrownedsailors：theebbwasbeginningtorunstrongly，andthesewerepassingoutwithitontheothersideofthemouthofthebayou；——perhapstheyhadbeenwashedintothemarshduringthenight，whenthegreatrushoftheseacame。
Thenthethreemenleftthewater，andretiredtohighergroundtoscanthefurrowedGulf；——theirpracticedeyesbegantosearchthecoursesofthesea—currents，——keenasthegazeofbirdsthatwatchthewakeoftheplough。Andsoonthecasksandthedriftwereforgotten；foritseemedtothemthatthetidewasheavywithhumandead——passingout，processionally，tothegreatopen。
Veryfar，wherethehugepitchingoftheswellswasdiminishedbydistanceintoamereflutteringofripples，thewaterappearedasifsprinkledwiththem；——theyvanishedandbecamevisibleagainatirregularintervals，hereandthere——floatingmostthicklyeastward!——tossing，swayingpatchesofwhiteorpinkorblueorblackeachwithitstinyspeckofflesh—colorshowingasthesealiftedorloweredthebody。Nearertoshoretherewerefew；butofthesetwowerecloseenoughtobealmostrecognizable：Miguelfirstdiscernedthem。Theywererisingandfallingwherethewaterwasdeepest——welloutinfrontofthemouthofthebayou，beyondthefloodedsand—bars，andmovingtowardtheshell—reefwestward。Theyweredriftingalmostsidebyside。Onewasthatofanegro，apparentlywellattired，andwearingawhiteapron；——theotherseemedtobeayoungcoloredgirl，cladinabluedress；shewasfloatinguponherface；theycouldobservethatshehadnearlystraighthair，braidedandtiedwitharedribbon。Thesewereevidentlyhouse—servants，——slaves。Butfromwhence？Nothingcouldbelearneduntiltheluggersshouldreturn；andnoneofthemwasyetinsight。StillFeliuwasnotanxiousastothefateofhisboats，mannedbythebestsailorsofthecoast。RarelyaretheseLouisianafishermenlostinsuddenstorms；evenwhentoothereyestheappearancesaremostpacificandtheskiesmostsplendidlyblue，theydivinesomefar—offdanger，likethegulls；andlikethegullsalso，youseetheirlightvesselsfleeinglandward。Thesemenseemlivingbarometers，exquisitelysensitivetoalltheinvisiblechangesofatmosphericexpansionandcompression；theyarenoteasilycaughtinthoseawfuldeadcalmswhichsuddenlyparalyzethewingsofabark，andholdherhelplessintheircharmedcircle，asinanightmare，untiltheblacknessovertakesher，andthelong—sleepingsealeapsupfoamingtodevourher。
——\"Carajo!\"
ThewordallatonceburstsfromFeliu’smouth，withthatpeculiargutturalsnarlofthe\"r\"betokeningstrongexcitement，——whilehepointstosomethingrockingintheebb，beyondthefoamingoftheshell—reef，underacirclingofgulls。
Moredead？Yes——butsomethingtoothatlivesandmoves，likeaquiveringspeckofgold；andMateoalsoperceivesit，agleamofbrighthair，——andMiguellikewise，afteramoment’sgazing。A
livingchild；——alifelessmother。Pobrecita!Noboatwithinreach，andonlyamightysurf—wrestlercouldhopetoswimthitherandreturn!
Butalready，withoutaword，brownFeliuhasstrippedforthestruggle；——anothersecond，andheisshootingthroughthesurf，headandhandstunnellingthefoamhills……One——two——threelinespassed!——four!——thatiswheretheyfirstbegintocrumblewhitefromthesummit，——five!——thathecanridefearlessly!……
Thenswiftly，easily，headvances，withalong，powerfulbreast—stroke，——keepinghisbeardedheadwelluptowatchfordrift，——seemingtoslidewithaswingfromswelltoswell，——ascending，sinking，——alternatelypresentingbreastorshouldertothewave；alwaysdiminishingmoreandmoretotheeyesofMateoandMiguel，——tillhebecomesamovingspeck，occasionallyhardtofollowthroughtheconfusionofheapingwaters……Youarenotafraidofthesharks，Feliu!——no：theyareafraidofyou；rightandlefttheyslunkawayfromyourcomingthatmorningyouswamforlifeinWest—Indianwaters，withyourknifeinyourteeth，whiletheballsoftheCubancoast—guardwerepurringallaroundyou。Thatdaytheswarmingseawaswarm，——warmlikesoup——andclear，withanemeraldflashineveryripple，——notopaqueandclamorousliketheGulftoday……Miguelandhiscomradeareanxious。Ropesareunrolledandinter—knottedintoaline。Miguelremainsonthebeach；butMateo，bearingtheendoftheline，fightshiswayout，——swimmingandwadingbyturns，tothefurthersandbar，wherethewaterisshallowenoughtostandin，——ifyouknowhowtojumpwhenthebreakercomes。
ButFeliu，nearingthefloodedshell—bank，watchesthewhiteflashings，——knowswhenthetimecomestokeepflatandtakealong，longbreath。Oneheavyvolleyingoffoam，——darknessandhissingasofasteam—burst；avibrantliftingup；arushintolight，——andagainthevolleyingandtheseethingdarkness。Oncemore，——andthefightiswon!Hefeelstheupcomingchillofdeeperwater，——seesbeforehimthegreenquakingofunbrokenswells，——andfarbeyondhimMateoleapingonthebar，——andbesidehim，almostwithinarm’sreach，agreatbilliard—tableswaying，andadeadwomanclingingthere，and……thechild。
Amomentmore，andFeliuhasliftedhimselfbesidethewaifs……
Howfastthedeadwomanclings，asifwiththeonepowerwhichisstrongasdeath，——thedesperateforceoflove!Notinvain；forthefrailcreatureboundtothemother’scorpsewithasilkenscarfhasstillthestrengthtocryout：——\"Maman!maman!\"Buttimeislifenow；andthetinyhandsmustbepulledawayfromthefairdeadneck，andthescarftakentobindtheinfantfirmlytoFeliu’sbroadshoulders，——quickly，roughly；fortheebbwillnotwait……
AndnowFeliuhasaburden；buthisstyleofswimminghastotallychanged；——herisesfromthewaterlikeaTriton，andhispowerfularmsseemtospinincircles，likethespokesofaflyingwheel。
Fornowisthewrestleindeed!——aftereachpassingswellcomesaprodigiouspullingfrombeneath，——theseaclutchingforitsprey。
Butthereefisgained，ispassed；——thewildhorsesofthedeepseemtoknowtheswimmerwhohaslearnedtoridethemsowell。
Andstillthebrownarmsspininanever—nearingmistofspray；
andtheoutersand—barisnotfaroff，——andthereisshoutingMateo，leapinginthesurf，swingingsomethingabouthishead，asavaqueroswingshisnoose!……Sough!splash!——itstrugglesinthetroughbesideFeliu，andthesinewyhanddescendsuponit。
Tiene!——tira，Miguel!Andtheirfeettouchlandagain!……
Sheisverycold，thechild，andverystill，witheyesclosed。
——\"Estamuerta，Feliu？\"asksMateo。
——\"No!\"thepantingswimmermakesanswer，emerging，whilethewavesreachwhitelyupthesandasinpursuit，——\"no；vive!
respiratodavia!\"
Behindhimthedeepliftsupitsmillionhands，andthundersasinacclaim。
IV。
——\"MadredeDios!——misueno!\"screamedCarmen，abandoningherpreparationsforthemorningmeal，asFeliu，nude，likeamarinegod，rushedinandheldouttoheradrippingandgaspingbaby—girl，——\"MotherofGod!mydream!\"Buttherewasnotimethentotellofdreams；thechildmightdie。InoneinstantCarmen’squick，defthandshadstrippedtheslenderlittlebody；
andwhileMateoandFeliuwerefindingdryclothingandstimulants，andMigueltellinghowitallhappened——quickly，passionately，withfuriousgesture，——thekindandvigorouswomanexertedallherskilltorevivetheflickeringlife。SoonFeliucametoaidher，whilehismensettoworkcompletingtheinterruptedpreparationofthebreakfast。Flannelswereheatedforthefrictionofthefraillimbs；andbrandy—and—waterwarmed，whichCarmenadministeredbythespoonful，skilfullyasanyphysician，——until，atlast，thelittlecreatureopenedhereyesandbegantosob。Sobbingstill，shewaslaidinCarmen’swarmfeather—bed，wellswathedinwoollenwrappings。Theimmediatedanger，atleast，wasover；andFeliusmiledwithprideandpleasure。
ThenCarmenfirstventuredtorelateherdream；andhisfacebecamegraveagain。Husbandandwifegazedamomentintoeachother’seyes，feelingtogetherthesamestrangethrill——thatmysteriousfaintcreeping，asofawindpassing，whichistheaweoftheUnknowable。Thentheylookedatthechild，lyingthere，pinkcheckedwiththeflushofthebloodreturning；andsuchasuddentendernesstouchedthemastheyhadknownlongyearsbefore，whiletogetherbendingabovetheslumberinglovelinessoflostConchita。
——\"Queojos!\"murmuredFeliu，asheturnedaway，——feigninghunger……（Hewasnothungry；buthissighthadgrownalittledim，aswithamist。）Queojos!Theyweresingulareyes，large，dark，andwonderfullyfringed。Thechild’shairwasyellow——itwastheflashofitthathadsavedher；yethereyesandbrowswerebeautifullyblack。Shewascomely，butwithsuchacurious，delicatecomeliness——totallyunliketherobustbeautyofConcha……Atintervalsshewouldmoanalittlebetweenhersobs；andatlastcriedout，withathin，shrillcry：\"Maman!——oh!maman!\"
ThenCarmenliftedherfromthebedtoherlap，andcaressedher，androckedhergentlytoandfro，asshehaddonemanyanightforConcha，——murmuring，——\"Yoseretumadre，angelmio，dulzuramia；——seretumadrecita，palomitamia!\"（Iwillbethymother，myangel，mysweet；——Iwillbethylittlemother，mydoveling。）Andthelongsilkfringesofthechild’seyesoverlapped，shadowedherlittlecheeks；andsheslept——justasConchitahadsleptlongago，——withherheadonCarmen’sbosom。
Feliure—appearedattheinnerdoor：atasign，heapproachedcautiously，withoutnoise，andlooked。
——\"Shecantalk，\"whisperedCarmeninSpanish：\"shecalledhermother\"——hallamadoasumadre。
——\"YDiostambienlahallamado，\"respondedFeliu，withrudepathos；——\"AndGodalsocalledher。\"
——\"ButtheVirginsentusthechild，Feliu，——sentusthechildforConcha’ssake。\"
Hedidnotansweratonce；heseemedtobethinkingverydeeply；——Carmenanxiouslyscannedhisimpassiveface。
——\"Whoknows？\"heanswered，atlast；——\"whoknows？Perhapsshehasceasedtobelongtoanyoneelse。\"
Oneafteranother，Feliu’sluggersflutteredin，——bearingwiththemnewsoftheimmensecalamity。Andallthefishermen，inturn，lookedatthechild。Notonehadeverseenherbefore。
V。
Tendayslater，aluggerfullofarmedmenenteredthebayou，andmooredatViosca’swharf。Thevisitorswere，forthemostpart，countrygentlemen，——residentsofFranklinandneighboringtowns，orplantersfromtheTechecountry，——formingoneofthenumerousexpeditionsorganizedforthepurposeoffindingthebodiesofrelativesorfriendslostinthegreathurricane，andofpunishingtherobbersofthedead。Theyhadsearchednumberlessnooksofthecoast，hadgivensepulturetomanycorpses，hadrecoveredalargeamountofjewelry，and——asFeliuafterwardlearned，——hadsummarilytriedandexecutedseveralofthemostabandonedclassofwreckersfoundwithill—gottenvaluablesintheirpossession，andconvictedofhavingmutilatedthedrowned。
ButtheycametoViosca’slandingonlytoobtaininformation；——hewastoowellknownandlikedtobeasubjectforsuspicion；and，moreover，hehadonegoodfriendinthecrowd，——CaptainHarrisofNewOrleans，aveteransteamboatmanandamarketcontractor，towhomhehaddisposedofmanyacargooffreshpompano，sheep’s—head，andSpanish—mackerel……Harriswasthefirsttosteptoland；——sometenofthepartyfollowedhim。Nearlyallhadlostsomerelativeorfriendinthegreatcatastrophe；——thegatheringwasserious，silent，——almostgrim，——whichformedaboutFeliu。
Mateo，whohadcometothecountrywhileaboy，spokeEnglishbetterthantherestofthechenierepeople；——heactedasinterpreterwheneverFeliufoundanydifficultyincomprehendingoransweringquestions；andhetoldthemofthechildrescuedthatwildmorning，andofFeliu’sswim。Hisrecitalevokedamurmurofinterestandexcitement，followedbyaconfusionofquestions。Well，theycouldseeforthemselves，Feliusaid；buthehopedtheywouldhavealittlepatience；——thechildwasstillweak；——itmightbedangeroustostartleher。\"We’llarrangeitjustasyoulike，\"respondedthecaptain；——\"goahead，Feliu!\"……
Allproceededtothehouse，underthegreattrees；FeliuandCaptainHarrisleadingtheway。Itwassultryandbright；——eventhesea—breezewaswarm；therewerepleasantodorsintheshade，andasoporificmurmurmadeofleaf—speechandthehumofgnats。
OnlythecaptainenteredthehousewithFeliu；therestremainedwithout——sometakingseatsonarudeplankbenchundertheoaks——othersflingingthemselvesdownupontheweeds——afewstoodstill，leaningupontheirrifles。ThenCarmencameouttothemwithgourdsandabucketoffreshwater，whichallweregladtodrink。
Theywaitedmanyminutes。Perhapsitwasthecoolpeaceoftheplacethatmadethemallfeelhowhotandtiredtheywere：
conversationflagged；andthegenerallanguorfinallybetrayeditselfinasilencesoabsolutethateveryleaf—whisperseemedtobecomeseparatelyaudible。
Itwasbrokenatlastbythegutturalvoiceoftheoldcaptainemergingfromthecottage，leadingthechildbythehand，andfollowedbyCarmenandFeliu。Allwhohadbeenrestingroseupandlookedatthechild。
Standinginalightedspace，withonetinyhandenvelopedbythecaptain’sgreatbrownfist，shelookedsolovelythatageneralexclamationofsurprisewentup。Herbrighthair，looseandsteepedinthesun—flame，illuminatedherlikeahalo；andherlargedarkeyes，gentleandmelancholyasadeer’s，watchedthestrangefacesbeforeherwithshycuriosity。SheworethesamedressinwhichFeliuhadfoundher——asoftwhitefabricofmuslin，withtrimmingsofribbonthathadoncebeenblue；andthenowdiscoloredsilkenscarf，whichhadtwicedonehersuchbraveservice，wasthrownoverhershoulders。Carmenhadwashedandrepairedthedressverycreditably；butthetinyslimfeetwerebare，——thebrine—soakedshoessheworethatfearfulnighthadfallenintoshredsatthefirstattempttoremovethem。
——\"Gentlemen，\"saidCaptainHarris，——\"wecanfindnoclewtotheidentityofthischild。Thereisnomarkuponherclothing；andsheworenothingintheshapeofjewelry——exceptthisstringofcoralbeads。WearenearlyallAmericanshere；andshedoesnotspeakanyEnglish……Doesanyonehereknowanythingabouther？\"
Carmenfeltagreatsinkingatherheart：washernew—founddarlingtobetakensosoonfromher？Butnoanswercametothecaptain’squery。Nooneoftheexpeditionhadeverseenthatchildbefore。Thecoralbeadswerepassedfromhandtohand；thescarfwasminutelyscrutinizedwithoutavail。SomebodyaskedifthechildcouldnottalkGermanorItalian。
——\"Italiano？No!\"saidFeliu，shakinghishead……Oneofhisluggermen，GioachinoSparicio，who，thoughaSicilian，couldspeakseveralItalianidiomsbesideshisown，hadalreadyessayed。
——\"Shespeakssomethingorother，\"answeredthecaptain——\"butnoEnglish。Icouldn’tmakeherunderstandme；andFeliu，whotalksnearlyalltheinfernallanguagesspokendownthisway，sayshecan’tmakeherunderstandhim。SupposesomeofyouwhoknowFrenchtalktoherabit……Laroussel，whydon’tyoutry？\"
Theyoungmanaddresseddidnotatfirstseemtonoticethecaptain’ssuggestion。Hewasatall，lithefellow，withadark，positiveface：hehadneverremovedhisblackgazefromthechildsincethemomentofherappearance。Hereyes，too，seemedtobeallforhim——toreturnhisscrutinywithasortofvaguepleasure，ahalfsavageconfidence……Wasitthefirstembryonicfeelingofrace—affinityquickeninginthelittlebrain？——someintuitive，inexplicablesenseofkindred？SheshrankfromDoctorHecker，whoaddressedherinGerman，shookherheadatLawyerSolari，whotriedtomakeheranswerinItalian；andherlookalwayswentbackplaintivelytothedark，sinisterfaceofLaroussel，——Larousselwhohadcalmlytakenahumanlife，awickedhumanlife，onlytheeveningbefore。
——\"Laroussel，you’retheonlyCreoleinthiscrowd，\"saidthecaptain；\"talktoher!Talkgumbotoher!……I’venodoubtthischildknowsGermanverywell，andItaliantoo，\"——headded，maliciously——\"butnotinthewayyougentlemenpronounceit!\"
Larousselhandedhisrifletoafriend，croucheddownbeforethelittlegirl，andlookedintoherface，andsmiled。Hergreatsweetorbsshoneintohisonemoment，seriously，asifsearching；andthen……shereturnedhissmile。Itseemedtotouchsomethinglatentwithintheman，somethingrare；forhiswholeexpressionchanged；andtherewasacaressinhislookandvoicenoneofthemencouldhavebelievedpossible——asheexclaimed：——
——\"Faismoinbo，piti。\"
Shepoutedupherprettylipsandkissedhisblackmoustache。
Hespoketoheragain：——
——\"Dismointonom，piti；——dismointonom，chere。\"
Then，forthefirsttime，shespoke，answeringinherargenttreble：
——\"Zouzoune。\"
Allheldtheirbreath。CaptainHarrisliftedhisfingertohislipstocommandsilence。
——\"Zouzoune？Zouzounequi，chere？\"
——\"Zouzoune，ac’estmoin，Lili!\"
——\"C’estpastouttonom，Lili；——dismoin，chere，tolautnom。\"
——\"Mopasconninlautnom。\"
——\"Commentyetepeletomaman，piti？\"
——\"Maman，——Maman’Dele。\"
——\"Etcommentyetepeletopapa，chere？\"
——\"PapaZulien。\"
——\"Bon!Etcommenttomamantepeletopapa？——discaamoin，chere？\"
Thechildlookeddown，putafingerinhermouth，thoughtamoment，andreplied：——
——\"Lipeleli，’Cheri’；lipeleli，’Papoute。’\"
——\"Aie，aie!——c’esttout，ca？——tomamantejamainpelelidaut’
chose？\"
——\"Mopasconnin，moin。\"
Shebegantoplaywithsometrinketsattachedtohiswatchchain；——averysmallgoldcompassespeciallyimpressedherfancybythetremblingandflashingofitstinyneedle，andshemurmured，coaxingly：——
——\"Moouleca!Donnincaamoin。\"
Hetookallpossibleadvantageofthesituation，andrepliedatonce：——
——\"Oui!movadonnintoicasitodimointolautnom。\"
Thesplendidbribeevidentlyimpressedhergreatly；fortearsrosetothebrowneyesassheanswered：
——\"Mopascapabdi’ca；——mopascapabdi’lautnom……Mooule；
mopascapab!\"
Larousselexplained。Thechild’snamewasLili，——perhapsacontractionofEulalie；andherpetCreolenameZouzoune。Hethoughtshemustbethedaughterofwealthypeople；butshecouldnot，forsomereasonorother，tellherfamilyname。Perhapsshecouldnotpronounceitwell，andwasafraidofbeinglaughedat：
someoftheoldFrenchnameswereveryhardforCreolechildrentopronounce，solongasthelittleoneswereindulgedinthehabitoftalkingthepatois；andafteracertainagetheirmispronunciationswouldbemadefunofinordertoaccustomthemtoabandontheidiomoftheslave—nurses，andtospeakonlyFrench。Perhaps，again，shewasreallyunabletorecallthename：certainmemoriesmighthavebeenblurredinthedelicatebrainbytheshockofthatterriblenight。Shesaidhermother’snamewasAdele，andherfather’sJulien；butthesewereverycommonnamesinLouisiana，——andcouldaffordscarcelyanybetterclewthantheinnocentstatementthathermotherusedtoaddressherfatheras\"dear\"（Cheri），——orwiththeCreolediminutive\"littlepapa\"（Papoute）。ThenLarousseltriedtoreachaclewinotherways，withoutsuccess。Heaskedheraboutwhereshelived，——whattheplacewaslike；andshetoldhimaboutfig—treesinacourt，andgalleries，andbanquettes，andspokeofafaubou’，——withoutbeingabletonameanystreet。Heaskedherwhatherfatherusedtodo，andwasassuredthathedideverything——thattherewasnothinghecouldnotdo。Divineabsurdityofchildishfaith!——infiniteartlessnessofchildishlove!……Probablythelittlegirl’sparentshadbeenresidentsofNewOrleans——dwellersoftheoldcolonialquarter，——thefaubourg，thefaubou’。
——\"Well，gentlemen，\"saidCaptainHarris，asLarousselabandonedhiscross—examinationindespair，——\"allwecandonowistomakeinquiries。Isupposewe’dbetterleavethechildhere。Sheisveryweakyet，andinnoconditiontobetakentothecity，rightinthemiddleofthehotseason；andnobodycouldcareforheranybetterthanshe’sbeingcaredforhere。Then，again，seemstomethatasFeliusavedherlife，——andthatattheriskofhisown，——he’sgotthepriorclaim，anyhow；andhiswifeisjustcrazyaboutthechild——wantstoadopther。Ifwecanfindherrelativessomuchthebetter；butIsay，gentlemen，letthemcomerightheretoFeliu，themselves，andthankhimasheoughttobethanked，byGod!That’sjustwhatIthinkaboutit。\"
Carmenunderstoodthelittlespeech；——alltheSpanishcharmofheryouthhadfadedoutyearsbefore；butintheoneswiftlookofgratitudesheturneduponthecaptain，itseemedtoblossomagain；——forthatquickmoment，shewasbeautiful。
\"Thecaptainisquiteright，\"observedDr。Hecker：\"itwouldbeverydangeroustotakethechildawayjustnow。\"Therewasnodissent。
——\"Allcorrect，boys？\"askedthecaptain……\"Well，we’vegottobegoing。By—by，Zouzoune!\"
ButZouzouneburstintotears。Larousselwasgoingtoo!
——\"Giveherthething，Laroussel!shegaveyouakiss，anyhow——morethanshe’ddoforme，\"criedthecaptain。
Larousselturned，detachedthelittlecompassfromhiswatchchain，andgaveittoher。Sheheldupherprettyfaceforhisfarewellkiss……
VI。
ButitseemedfatedthatFeliu’swaifshouldneverbeidentified；——diligentinquiryandprintedannouncementsalikeprovedfruitless。Seaandsandhadeitherhiddenoreffacedalltherecordsofthelittleworldtheyhadengulfed：theannihilationofwholefamilies，theextinctionofraces，had，inmorethanoneinstance，renderedvainalleffortstorecognizethedead。Itrequiredthesubtleperceptionoflongintimacytonameremainstumefiedanddiscoloredbycorruptionandexposure，mangledandgnawedbyfishes，byreptiles，andbybirds；——itdemandedthegreatcourageoflovetolookupontheeyelessfacesfoundswelteringintheblacknessofcypress—shadows，underthelowpalmettoesoftheswamps，——wheregorgedbuzzardsstartedfromsleep，orcottonmouthsuncoiled，hissing，atthecomingofthesearchers。Andsometimesallwhohadlovedthelostwerethemselvesamongthemissing。Thefullrollcallofnamescouldneverbemadeout；extraordinarymistakeswerecommitted。Menwhomtheworlddeemeddeadandburiedcameback，likeghosts，——toreadtheirownepitaphs……AlmostatthesamehourthatLarousselwasquestioningthechildinCreolepatois，anotherexpedition，searchingforbodiesalongthecoast，discoveredonthebeachofalowisletfamedasahauntofpelicans，thecorpseofachild。Somelocksofbrighthairstilladheringtotheskull，astringofredbeads，awhitemuslindress，ahandkerchiefbroideredwiththeinitials\"A。L。B。，\"——weresecuredasclews；andthelittlebodywasinterredwhereithadbeenfound。
And，severaldaysbefore，CaptainHotard，oftherelief—boatEstelleBrousseaux，hadfound，driftingintheopenGulf（latitude26degrees43minutes；longitude88degrees17
minutes），——thecorpseofafair—hairedwoman，clingingtoatable。Thebodywasdisfiguredbeyondrecognition：eventheslenderbonesofthehandshadbeenstrippedbythenibsofthesea—birds—exceptonefinger，thethirdoftheleft，whichseemedtohavebeenprotectedbyaringofgold，asbyacharm。Gravenwithintheplainyellowcircletwasadate，——\"JUILLET——1851\"；
andthenames，——\"ADELE+JULIEN，\"——separatedbyacross。TheEstellecarriedcoffinsthatday：mostofthemwerealreadyfull；buttherewasoneforAdele。
Whowasshe？——whowasherJulien？……WhentheEstelleandmanyothervesselshaddischargedtheirghastlycargoes；——whenthebereavedofthelandhadassembledashastilyastheymightfortheduyofidentification；——whenmemorieswerestrainedalmosttomadnessinresearchofnames，dates，incidents——fortheevocationofdeadwords，resurrectionofvanisheddays，recollectionofdearpromises，——then，intheconfusion，itwasbelievedanddeclaredthatthelittlecorpsefoundonthepelicanislandwasthedaughteroftheweareroftheweddingring：AdeleLaBrierre，neeFlorane，wifeofDr。JulienLaBrierre，ofNewOrleans，whowasnumberedamongthemissing。
AndtheybroughtdeadAdeleback，——upshadowyriverwindings，overlinkedbrightnessesoflakeandlakelet，throughmanyagreenglimmeringbayou，——totheCreolecity，andlaidhertorestsomewhereintheoldSaint—LouisCemetery。Anduponthetabletrecordinghernamewerealsograventhewords——……
Aussialamemoiredesonmari；
JULIENRAYMONDLABRIERRE，nealaparoisseSt。Landry，le29Mai；MDCCCXXVIII；
etdeleurfille，EULALIE，ageede4aset5mois，——
QuitousperirentdanslagrandetempetequibalayaL’IleDerniere，le10Aout，MDCCCLVI……+……
Priezpoureux!
VII。
YetsixmonthsafterwardthefaceofJulienLaBrierrewasseenagainuponthestreetsofNewOrleans。Menstartedatthesightofhim，asataspectrestandinginthesun。Andneverthelesstheapparitioncastashadow。Peoplepaused，approached，halfextendedahandthrougholdhabit，suddenlycheckedthemselvesandpassedon，——wonderingtheyshouldhaveforgotten，askingthemselveswhytheyhadsonearlymadeanabsurdmistake。
ItwasaFebruaryday，——oneofthosecrystallinedaysofoursnowlessSouthernwinter，whentheairisclearandcool，andoutlinessharpeninthelightasifviewedthroughthefocusofadiamondglass；——andinthatbrightnessJulienLaBrierreperusedhisownbriefepitaph，andgazeduponthesculpturednameofdrownedAdele。Onlyhalfayearhadpassedsinceshewaslaidawayinthehighwalloftombs，——inthatstrangecolonialcolumbariumwherethedeadsleptinrows，behindsquaredmarblesletteredinblackorbronze。Yetherresting—place，——inthehighestrange，——alreadyseemedold。UnderourSouthernsun，thevegetationofcemeteriesseemstospringintobeingspontaneously——toleapallsuddenlyintoluxuriantlife!
Microscopicmossygrowthshadbeguntomottletheslabthatclosedherin；——overitsfacesomesingularcreeperwascrawling，plantingtinyreptile—feetintothechiselledlettersoftheinscription；andfromthemoistsoilbelowspeckledeuphorbiasweregrowinguptoher，——andmorningglories，——andbeautifulgreentangledthingsofwhichhedidnotknowthename。
Andthesightoftheprettylizards，puffingtheircrimsonpouchesinthesun，orundulatingathwartepitaphs，andshiftingtheircolorwhenapproached，fromemeraldtoashen—gray；——thecaravansoftheants，journeyingtoandfromtinychinksinthemasonry；——thebeesgatheringhoneyfromthecrimsonblossomsofthecrete—de—coq，whoseradiclessoughtsustenance，perhapsfromhumandust，inthedecayofgenerations：——allthatrichlifeofgravessummonedupfanciesofResurrection，Nature’sresurrection—work——wondroustransformationsofflesh，marvellousbansmigrationofsouls!……Fromsomeforgottencreviceofthattombroof，whichaloneintervenedbetweenherandthevastlight，asturdyweedwasgrowing。Heknewthatplant，asitquiveredagainsttheblue，——thechou—gras，asCreolechildrencallit：
itsdarkberriesformthemockingbird’sfavoritefood……Mightnotitsroots，exploringdarkness，havefoundsomeunfamiliarnutrimentwithin？——mightitnotbethatsomethingofthedeadhearthadrisentopurpleandemeraldlife——inthesapoftranslucentleaves，inthewineofthesavageberries，——toblendwiththebloodoftheWizardSinger，——tolendastrangesweetnesstothemelodyofhiswooing？……Seldom，indeed，doesithappenthatamanintheprimeofyouth，inthepossessionofwealth，habituatedtocomfortsandtheelegancesoflife，discoversinonebriefweekhowminutehistruerelationtothehumanaggregate，———howinsignificanthispartasonelivingatomofthesocialorganism。Seldom，attheageoftwenty—eight，hasonebeenmadeabletocomprehend，throughexperiencealone，thatinthevastandcomplexStreamofBeinghecountsforlessthanadrop；andthat，evenasthebloodlosesandreplacesitscorpuscles，withoutavarianceinthevolumeandvigorofitscurrent，soareindividualexistenceseliminatedandreplacedinthepulsingofapeople’slife，withneverapauseinitsmightymurmur。Butallthis，andmuchmore，Julienhadlearnedinsevenmercilessdays——sevensuccessiveandterribleshocksofexperience。Theenormousworldhadnotmissedhim；andhisplacethereinwasnotvoid——societyhadsimplyforgottenhim。Solongashehadmovedamongthem，allheknewforfriendshadperformedtheirpettyaltruisticroles，——haddischargedtheirsmallhumanobligations，——hadkeptturnedtowardhimtheleastselfishsideoftheirnatures，——hadmadewithhimatolerablyequitableexchangeofideasandoffavors；andafterhisdisappearancefromtheirmidst，theyhaddulymournedforhisloss——tothemselves!Theyhadplayedoutthefinalactintheunimportantdramaofhislife：itwasreallyaskingtoomuchtodemandarepetition……Impossibletodeceivehimselfastothefeelinghisunanticipatedreturnhadaroused：——feignedpitywherehehadlookedforsympatheticwelcome；dismaywherehehadexpectedsurpriseddelight；and，oftener，airsofresignation，ordisappointmentilldisguised，——alwaysinsincerity，politelymaskedorcoldlybare。Hehadcomebacktofindstrangersinhishome，relativesatlawconcerninghisestate，andhimselfregardedasanintruderamongtheliving，——anunluckyguest，arevenant……Howhollowandselfishaworlditseemed!Andyettherewasloveinit；hehadbeenlovedinit，unselfishly，passionately，withtheloveoffatherandofmother，ofwifeandchild……Allburied!——alllostforever!……Oh!wouldtoGodthestoryofthatstonewerenotalie!——wouldtokindGodhealsoweredead!……
Eveningshadowed：thevioletdeepenedandprickleditselfwithstars；———thesunpassedbelowthewest，leavinginhiswakeamomentarysplendorofvermilion……ourSoutherndayisnotprolongedbygloaming。AndJulien’sthoughtsdarkenedwiththedarkening，andasswiftly。Forwhiletherewasyetlighttosee，hereadanothernamethatheusedtoknow——thenameofRAMIREZ……NacioenCienfuegos，isladeCuba……Whereforeborn？——forwhateternalpurpose，Ramirez，——intheCityofaHundredFires？
Hehadblownouthisbrainsbeforethesepulchreofhisyoungwife……Itwasadetacheddoublevault，shapedlikeahugechest，andmuchdilapidatedalready：——underthecontinuousburrowingofthecrawfishithadsunkgreatlyononeside，tiltingasifabouttofall。Outfromitszigzagfissuringsofbrickandplaster，asinistervoiceseemedtocome：——\"Gothouanddolikewise!……Earthgroanswithherburthenevennow，——theburthenofMan：sheholdsnoplaceforthee!\"
VIII……Thatvoicepursuedhimintothedarknessofhischillyroom，——hauntedhiminthesilenceofhislodging。Andthenbeganwithinthemanthatghostlystrugglebetweencourageanddespair，betweenpatientreasonandmadrevolt，betweenweaknessandforce，betweendarknessandlight，whichallsensitiveandgenerousnaturesmustwageintheirownsoulsatleastonce——perhapsmanytimes——intheirlives。Memory，insuchmoments，playslikeanelectricstorm；——allinvoluntarilyhefoundhimselfreviewinghislife。
Incidentslongforgottencamebackwithsingularvividness：hesawthePastashehadnotseenitwhileitwasthePresent；——remembrancesofhome，recollectionsofinfancy，recurredtohimwithterribleintensity，——theartlesspleasuresandthetriflinggriefs，thelittlehurtsandthetenderpettings，thehopesandtheanxietiesofthosewholovedhim，thesmilesandtearsofslaves……AndhisfirstCreolepony，apresentfromhisfatherthedayafterhehadprovedhimselfabletorecitehisprayerscorrectlyinFrench，withoutonemispronunciation——withoutsayingcrasseforgrace，——andyellowMichel，whotaughthimtoswimandtofishandtopaddleapirogue；——andthebayou，withitswonder—worldofturtlesandbirdsandcreepingthings；——andhisGermantutor，whocouldnotpronouncethej；——andthesongsofthecane—fields，——strangelypleasing，fullofquaveringsandlongplaintivenotes，likethecallofthecranes……Tou’，tou’paysblanc!……AfterwardCamanierehadleasedtheplace；——everythingmusthavebeenchanged；eventhesongscouldnotbethesame。Tou’，tou’paysblare!——Daniequicommande……
AndthenParis；andtheuniversity，withitswildunder—life，——somedebts，somefollies；andthefrequentfondlettersfromhometowhichhemighthaverepliedsomuchoftener；——Paris，wheretalentismediocrity；Paris，withitsthundersanditssplendorsanditsseethingofpassion；——Paris，supremefocusofhumanendeavor，withitsmadnessesofart，itsfrenziedstrivingtoexpresstheInexpressible，itsspasmodicstrainingstoclutchtheUnattainable，itssoaringsofsoul—firetotheheavenoftheImpossible……
Whatarejoicingtherewasathisreturn!——howradiantandlevelthelongRoadoftheFutureseemedtoopenbeforehim!
——everywherefriends，prospects，felicitations。Thenhisfirstseriouslove；——andthenightoftheballatSt。Martinsville，——thevisionoflight!Gracileasapalm，androbedatoncesosimply，soexquisitelyinwhite，shehadseemedtohimthesupremerealizationofallpossibledreamsofbeauty……Andhispassionatejealousy；andtheslapfromLaroussel；andthehumiliatingtwo—minuteduelwithrapiersinwhichhelearnedthathehadfoundhismaster。Thescarwasdeep。WhyhadnotLarousselkilledhimthen？……Notevil—hearted，Laroussel，——theyusedtosaluteeachotherafterwardwhentheymet；andLaroussel’ssmilewaskindly。Whyhadherefrainedfromreturningit？WherewasLarousselnow？
Forthedeathofhisgenerousfather，whohadsacrificedsomuchtoreformhim；forthedeath，onlyashortwhileafter，ofhisall—forgivingmother，hehadfoundonesweetwomantoconsolehimwithhertenderwords，herlovinglips，herdeliciouscaress。
ShehadgivenhimZouzoune，thedarlinglinkbetweentheirlives，——Zouzoune，whowaitedeacheveningwithblackEglantineatthegatetowatchforhiscoming，andtocrythroughallthehouselikeabird，\"Papa，lapevini!——papaZulienapevini!\"……
Andoncethatshehadmadehimveryangrybyupsettingtheinkoveramassofbusinesspapers，andhehadslappedher（couldheeverforgivehimself？）——shehadcried，throughhersobsofastonishmentandpain：——\"Tolaiminmoin？——tobattemoin!\"（Thoulovestme？——thoubeatestme!）Nextmonthshewouldhavebeenfiveyearsold。Tolaiminmoin？——tobattemoin!……
Afuriousparoxysmofgriefconvulsedhim，suffocatedhim；itseemedtohimthatsomethingwithinmustburst，mustbreak。Heflunghimselfdownuponhisbed，bitingthecoveringsinordertostiflehisoutcry，tosmotherthesoundsofhisdespair。Whatcrimehadheeverdone，ohGod!thatheshouldbemadetosufferthus？——wasitforthishehadbeenpermittedtolive？hadbeenrescuedfromtheseaandcarriedroundalltheworldunscathed？
Whyshouldhelivetoremember，tosuffer，toagonize？WasnotRamirezwiser？
Howlongthecontestwithinhimlasted，heneverknew；butereitwasdone，hehadbecome，inmorewaysthanone，achangedman。
Forthefirst，——thoughnotindeedforthelasttime，——somethingofthedeeperandnoblercomprehensionofhumanweaknessandofhumansufferinghadbeenrevealedtohim，——somethingofthatlargerknowledgewithoutwhichthesenseofdutycanneverbefullyacquired，northeunderstandingofunselfishgoodness，northespiritoftenderness。Thesuicideisnotacoward；heisanegotist。
Arayofsunlighttouchedhiswetpillow，——awokehim。Herushedtothewindow，flungthelatticedshuttersapart，andlookedout。
Somethingbeautifulandghostlyfilledallthevistas，——frost—haze；andinsomequeerwaythemisthadmomentarilycaughtandheldtheverycolorofthesky。Anazurefog!Throughitthequaintandcheckeredstreet——asyetbuthalfilluminedbythesun，——tooktonesofimpossiblecolor；theviewpaledawaythroughfaintbluishtintsintotransparentpurples；——alltheshadowswereindigo。Howsweetthemorning!——howwelllifeseemedworthliving!Becausethesunhadshownhisfacethroughafairyveiloffrost!……
Whowastheancientthinker？——wasitHermes？——whosaid：——
\"TheSunisLaughter；for’tisHewhomakethjoyousthethoughtsofmen，andgladdeneththeinfiniteworld。\"……
TheShadowoftheTide。
I。
Carmenfoundthatherlittlepethadbeentaughthowtopray；foreachnightandmorningwhenthedevoutwomanbegantomakeherorisons，thechildwouldkneelbesideher，withlittlehandsjoined，andinavoicesweetandclearmurmursomethingshehadlearnedbyheart。MuchasthispleasedCarmen，itseemedtoherthatthechild’sprayerscouldnotbewhollyvalidunlessutteredinSpanish；——forSpanishwasheaven’sowntongue，——lalenguadeDios，elidiomadeDios；andsheresolvedtoteachhertosaytheSalveMariaandthePadreNuestroinCastilian——also，herownfavoriteprayertotheVirgin，beginningwiththewords，\"Madresantisima，todadulceyhermosa。\"……
SoConchita——foranewnamehadbeengiventoherwiththatterribleseachristening——receivedherfirstlessonsinSpanish；
andsheprovedamostintelligentpupil。BeforelongshecouldprattletoFeliu；——shewouldwatchforhisreturnofevenings，andannouncehiscomingwith\"Aquivienemipapacito？\"——shelearned，too，fromCarmen，manylittlecaressesofspeechtogreethimwith。Feliu’swasnotajoyousnature；hehadhisdarkhours，hissombredays；yetitwasrarelythathefelttoosullentoyieldtothelittleone’spetting，whenshewouldleapuptoreachhisneckandtocoaxhiskiss，with——\"Dameunbeso，papa!——asi；——yotro!otro!otro!\"Hegrewtoloveherlikehisown；——wasshenotindeedhisown，sincehehadwonherfromdeath？Andnonehadyetcometodisputehisclaim。Moreandmore，withthepassingofweeks，months，seasons，shebecameaportionofhislife——apartofallthathewroughtfor。Atthefirst，hehadhadahalf—formedhopethatthelittleonemightbereclaimedbyrelativesgenerousandrichenoughtoinsistuponhisacceptanceofahandsomecompensation；andthatCarmencouldfindsomesolaceinapleasantvisittoBarceloneta。Butnowhefeltthatnopossiblegenerositycouldrequitehimforherloss；
andwiththeunconsciousselfishnessofaffection，hecommencedtodreadheridentificationasagreatcalamity。
Itwasevidentthatshehadbeenbroughtupnicely。Shehadprettyprimwaysofdrinkingandeating，queerlittlefashionsofsittingincompany，andofaddressingpeople。Shehadpeculiarnotionsaboutcolorsindress，aboutwearingherhair；andsheseemedtohavealreadyimbibedasmallstockofsocialprejudicesnotaltogetherinharmonywiththerepublicanismofViosca’sPoint。Occasionalswarthyvisitors，——menoftheManillasettlements，——shespokeofcontemptuouslyasnegues—marrons；andoncesheshockedCarmeninexpressiblybystoppinginthemiddleofhereveningprayer，declaringthatshewantedtosayherprayerstoawhiteVirgin；Carmen’sSenoradeGuadalupewasonlyanegra!Then，forthefirsttime，Carmenspokesocrosslytothechildastofrightenher。Butthepiouswoman’sheartsmoteherthenextmomentforthatfirstharshword；——andshecaressedthemotherlessone，consoledher，cheeredher，andatlastexplainedtoher——Iknownothow——somethingverywonderfulaboutthelittlefigurine，somethingthatmadeChita’seyesbigwithawe。ThereaftershealwaysregardedtheVirginofWaxasanobjectmysteriousandholy。
And，onebyone，mostofChita’slittleeccentricitiesweregraduallyeliminatedfromherdevelopinglifeandthought。Morerapidlythanordinarychildren，becausesingularlyintelligent，shelearnedtoadaptherselftoallthechangesofhernewenvironment，——retainingonlythatindescribablesomethingwhichtoanexperiencedeyetellsofhereditaryrefinementofhabitandofmind：——anaturalgrace，athorough—bredeaseandeleganceofmovement，aquicknessanddelicacyofperception。
Shebecamestrongagainandactive——activeenoughtoplayagreatdealonthebeach，whenthesunwasnottoofierce；andCarmenmadeacanvasbonnettoshieldherheadandface。Neverhadshebeenallowedtoplaysomuchinthesunbefore；anditseemedtodohergood，thoughherlittlebarefeetandhandsbecamebrownascopper。Atfirst，itmustbeconfessed，sheworriedherfoster—motheragreatdealbyvariousqueermisfortunesandextraordinaryfreaks；——gettingbittenbycrabs，fallingintothebayouwhileinpursuitof\"fiddlers，\"orlosingherselfattheconclusionofdesperateeffortstorunracesatnightwiththemoon，ortowalktothe\"endoftheworld。\"Ifshecouldonlyoncegettotheedgeofthesky，shesaid，she\"couldclimbup。\"
Shewantedtoseethestars，whichwerethesoulsofgoodlittlechildren；andsheknewthatGodwouldletherclimbup。\"JustwhatIamafraidof!\"——thoughtCarmentoherself；——\"Hemightletherclimbup，——alittleghost!\"ButonedaynaughtyChitareceivedaterriblelesson，——alastinglesson，——whichtaughtherthevalueofobedience。
Shehadbeenparticularlycautionednottoventureintoacertainpartoftheswampintherearofthegrove，wheretheweedswereverytall；forCarmenwasafraidsomesnakemightbitethechild。
ButChita’sbird—brighteyehaddiscernedagleamofwhiteinthatdirection；andshewantedtoknowwhatitwas。Thewhitecouldonlybeseenfromonepoint，behindthefurthesthouse，wherethegroundwashigh。\"Nevergothere，\"saidCarmen；\"thereisaDeadManthere，——willbiteyou!\"Andyet，oneday，whileCarmenwasunusuallybusy，Chitawentthere。
Intheearlydaysofthesettlement，aSpanishfishermanhaddied；andhiscomradeshadbuilthimalittletombwiththesurplusofthesamebricksandothermaterialbroughtdownthebayoufortheconstructionofViosca’scottages。Butnoone，exceptperhapssomewanderingduckhunter，hadapproachedthesepulchreforyears。Highweedsandgrasseswrestledtogetherallaboutit，andrenderedittotallyinvisiblefromthesurroundinglevelofthemarsh。
FiddlersswarmedawayasChitaadvancedoverthemoistsoil，eachupliftingitssinglehugeclawasitsidledoff；——thenfrogsbegantoleapbeforeherasshereachedthethickergrass；——andlong—leggedbrowninsectssprangshoweringtorightandleftasshepartedthetuftsofthethickeningverdure。Asshewenton，thebitter—weedsdisappeared；——jointedgrassesandsinewydarkplantsofatallergrowthroseaboveherhead：shewasalmostdeafenedbythestormofinsectshrilling，andthemosquitoesbecameverywicked。Allatoncesomethinglongandblackandheavywriggledalmostfromunderhernakedfeet，——squirmingsohorriblythatforaminuteortwoshecouldnotmoveforfright。
Butitslunkawaysomewhere，andhiditself；theweedsithadshakenceasedtotrembleinitswake；andhercouragereturned。
Shefeltsuchanexquisiteandfearfulpleasureinthegratificationofthatnaughtycuriosity!Then，quiteunexpectedly——oh!whatastartitgaveher!——thesolitarywhiteobjectburstuponherview，leprousandghastlyastheyawnofacotton—mouth。TombsruinsooninLouisiana；——theoneChitalookeduponseemedreadytotoppledown。Therewasagreatraggedholeatoneend，wherewindandrain，andperhapsalsotheburrowingofcrawfishandofworms，hadloosenedthebricks，andcausedthemtoslideoutofplace。Itseemedveryblackinside；
butChitawantedtoknowwhatwasthere。Shepushedherwaythroughagapinthethinandrottenlineofpickets，andthroughsometallweedswithbigcoarsepinkflowers；——thenshecroucheddownonhandsandkneesbeforetheblackhole，andpeeredin。Itwasnotsoblackinsideasshehadthought；forasunbeamslanteddownthroughachinkintheroof；andshecouldsee!
Abrownhead——withouthair，withouteyes，butwithteeth，eversomanyteeth!——seemedtolaughather；andclosetoitsataToad，thehugestshehadeverseen；andthewhiteskinofhisthroatkeptpuffingoutandgoingin。AndChitascreamedandscreamed，andfledinwildterror，——screamingalltheway，tillCarmenranouttomeetherandcarryherhome。Evenwhensafeinheradoptedmother’sarms，shesobbedwithfright。Tothevividfancyofthechildthereseemedtobesomehideousrelationbetweenthestaringreptileandthebrowndeath’s—head，withitsemptyeyes，anditsnightmare—smile。
Theshockbroughtonafever，——afeverthatlastedseveraldays，andleftherveryweak。Buttheexperiencetaughthertoobey，taughtherthatCarmenknewbestwhatwasforhergood。Italsocausedhertothinkagreatdeal。Carmenhadtoldherthatthedeadpeopleneverfrightenedgoodlittlegirlswhostayedathome。
——\"MadrecitaCarmen，\"sheasked，\"ismymammadead？\"
——\"Pobrecita!……Yes，myangel。GodcalledhertoHim，——yourdarlingmother。\"
——\"Madrecita，\"sheaskedagain，——heryoungeyesgrowingvastwithhorror，——\"ismyownmammanowlikeThat？\"……Shepointedtowardtheplaceofthewhitegleam，behindthegreattrees。
——\"No，no，no!mydarling!\"criedCarmen，appalledherselfbytheghastlyquestion，——\"yourmammaiswiththedear，good，lovingGod，wholivesinthebeautifulsky，abovetheclouds，mydarling，beyondthesun!\"
ButCarmen’skindeyeswerefulloftears；andthechildreadtheirmeaning。HewhotearethofftheMaskoftheFleshhadlookedintoherfaceoneunutterablemoment：——shehadseenthebrutalTruth，nakedtothebone!
Yettherecametoheralittlethrillofconsolation，causedbythewordsofthetenderfalsehood；forthatwhichshehaddiscernedbydaycouldnotexplaintoherthatwhichshesawalmostnightlyinherslumber。Theface，thevoice，theformofherlovingmotherstilllivedsomewhere，——couldnothaveutterlypassedaway；sincethesweetpresencecametoherindreams，bendingandsmilingoverher，caressingher，speakingtoher，——sometimesgentlychiding，butalwayschidingwithakiss。
Andthenthechildwouldlaughinhersleep，andprattleinCreole，——talkingtotheluminousshadow，tellingthedeadmotherallthelittledeedsandthoughtsoftheday……WhywouldGodonlylethercomeatnight？……HerideaofGodhadbeenfirstdefinedbythesightofaquaintFrenchpictureoftheCreation，——anengravingwhichrepresentedashorelessseaunderablacksky，andoutoftheblacknessasolemnandbeardedgrayheademerging，andacloudyhandthroughwhichstarsglimmered。GodwaslikeoldDoctordeCoulanges，whousedtovisitthehouse，andtalkinavoicelikealowrollofthunder……Atalaterday，whenChitahadbeentoldthatGodwas\"everywhereatthesametime\"——withoutandwithin，beneathandaboveallthings，——thisideabecamesomewhatchanged。Theawfulbeardedface，thehugeshadowyhand，didnotfadefromherthought；buttheybecamefantasticallyblendedwiththelargerandvaguernotionofsomethingthatfilledtheworldandreachedtothestars，——somethingdiaphanousandincomprehensibleliketheinvisibleair，omnipresentandeverlastinglikethehighblueofheaven
