was not so much the news that you were still alive that was so
difficult for them to believe, but that a white man should rule over
them--a thing impossible and past all belief; besides, they would not
have it. However, when I conducted the deputation, consisting of six of
our leading men, to Santa Fe and they secretly beheld you, Princess,
they one and all exclaimed as with one breath: ''Tis she, the
Princess--the Flaming Star! How like her father, the Whirlwind, she is!'

"They wanted to disclose their identity to you then and there and exhort
you to return with them to your people, but I persuaded them to wait,
reminding them that the White Cloud's prophecy was not yet entirely
fulfilled. I then showed you to them, Master," he went on, addressing
the Captain, "and although they acknowledged that you were a magnificent
specimen of a man and had the appearance of one born to command, they
shook their heads and said it was impossible--that a White Chief could
never rule over the Tewana.

"'Of a truth,' I answered, 'the black-robed Padres are right! You are a
stiff-necked people who persist in following in the footsteps of our
forefathers who, we all know, were unable to lead the people to the
light. Only the White Cloud was able to foresee the future; grasp the
significance of both the Padres' and our ancient Sachems' teachings.
That the old order of things had come to an end. That the time had come
when strife must cease among men; that the tidings were now to be
fulfilled which the White Child with a face like the sun had brought to
the world, and whose coming our ancient Sachems had predicted in the
ancient days. Know also, that the Princess has seen the great world
which you have not seen; that in many ways she is more like a white
woman than one of our race; that she is wiser than you are; that the
Great Spirit has shown her the things that are good for us, and if she
becomes the wife of the White Chief, you must accept him if you accept
her, for without him she will never return to you. Besides, the White
Chief is the wisest of us all. In his sight both we and most of the men
of his own race are as children.'

"They could not find a fitting answer to my words and returned to our
people. Ever since then runners have been coming and going constantly
between us. They have been apprised of our coming and await us." Jose
ceased speaking and sat gazing meditatively into the fire where he
watched the pink and violet fl