ay to Riolama. And when
I have seen Riolama with my eyes, then you may die, and I shall be glad
at your death; and the children and the grandchildren and cousins and
friends of all the animals you have slain and fed on shall know that you
are dead and be glad at your death. For you have deceived me with lies
all these years even me--and are not fit to live! Come now to Riolama;
rise instantly, I command you!"

Instead of rising he suddenly put out his hand and snatched up the knife
from the ground. "Do you then wish me to die?" he cried. "Shall you be
glad at my death? Behold, then I shall slay myself before your eyes. By
my own hand, Rima, I am now about to perish, striking the knife into my
heart!"

While speaking he waved the knife in a tragic manner over his head, but
I made no movement; I was convinced that he had no intention of taking
his own life--that he was still acting. Rima, incapable of understanding
such a thing, took it differently.

"Oh, you are going to kill yourself." she cried. "Oh, wicked man, wait
until you know what will happen to you after death. All shall now be
told to my mother. Hear my words, then kill yourself."

She also now dropped on to her knees and, lifting her clasped hands
and fixing her resentful sparkling eyes on the dim blue patch of heaven
visible beyond the treetops, began to speak rapidly in clear, vibrating
tones. She was praying to her mother in heaven; and while Nuflo listened
absorbed, his mouth open, his eyes fixed on her, the hand that clutched
the knife dropped to his side. I also heard with the greatest wonder and
admiration. For she had been shy and reticent with me, and now, as
if oblivious of my presence, she was telling aloud the secrets of her
inmost heart.

"O mother, mother, listen to me, to Rima, your beloved child!"
she began. "All these years I have been wickedly deceived by
grandfather--Nuflo--the old man that found you. Often have I spoken to
him of Riolama, where you once were, and your people are, and he denied
all knowledge of such a place. Sometimes he said that it was at an
immense distance, in a great wilderness full of serpents larger than the
trunks of great trees, and of evil spirits and savage men, slayers of
all strangers. At other times he affirmed that no such place existed;
that it was a tale told by the Indians; such false things did he say to
me--to Rima, your child. O mother, can you believe such wickedness?

"Then a stranger, a white m