se in the first boat to
touch the beach. A mere baby she was, too young to know aught of her
misfortune, yet a princess royal, rudely dispossessed of her right to
the throne of Spain, and smuggled aboard the adventurer Cabrillo's ship
to be dropped in some out-of-the-way corner of the western world. Even
then, he made it clear, she might have perished,--since little recked
the Spanish explorer what should happen, well knowing that upon his
return no questions would be asked,--had it not been for his Indian
wife. She, lacking children of her own, had taken an instant fancy to
the dark-eyed little girl, a fancy so strong that nothing would do
but they must adopt her as their own daughter into the tribe to belong
forever, according to their law, she and her children, to the Mariposa.

"Nor, because thy mother--for ever was she a true mother to
thee--thought that it might grieve thee, have any of my people ever
given thee cause to doubt that thou wert native born," he finished
proudly. "Loyal have they been, doing all they could to make thee happy.
But now that thy Indian mother is dead, and I myself grow old, I thought
to wed thee, knowing his desire, to the son of that same Cabrillo who
brought thee to us, for I long to be sure, when at length I go, that
thou art safe,--at home."

He waited then and in the silence only the low weeping of the girl was
heard. At length the old chief spoke again, and now in his voice love
conquered disappointment.

"Much do I desire it, but that matters not. I would not have thee
unhappy. I myself will tell the senor that what he hopes for cannot be."

Slowly Wildenai bent her head until it touched his feet. Then she
nestled close against him.

"I thank thee, oh my father!" she cried, and all her voice was
music because of her joy. "And thou art still my father," she added,
earnestly. "What care I to go to Spain? I will stay always with thee."

"For a time, it may be. Yet have a care, little wild rose," he
cautioned, smiling, "Let not the Englishman lure thee away! He, too, may
not be all that thou thinkest."

And even as he spoke, in mocking confirmation of his words, there came
to them suddenly from across the water, the distant creaking of
ropes, the snapping of sails flung hastily to the wind. Before their
unbelieving eyes the vessel swung about and put slowly out to sea. Dumb
with amazement they watched until the last faint light flickered into
darkness. Not until the remotest c