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，——"ADELEJULIEN，"——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