tzin.

But the latter was not to be put off by silence.

"There has been a change since you and I last spoke together," she
said. "I am aware of it, though I know not how; but, in some manner,
the things which Miriam has done are perceptible to me. When I was here
before, she did but lean towards this youth; now she has given herself
to him. She means to be united to him; and, if I again should vanish, I
should never again find my way back. But it shall not be so; and there
is a way, Kamaiakan, by which I can surely prevent it, even though you
refuse to aid me."

"Indeed, princess, I think you mistake regarding the love of Miriam for
this young man; they have seen little of each other; and it may be, as
you yourself said, that he has perished in the wilderness."

"I believe he lives," she answered: "I should know it, were it
otherwise. But if I cannot have him, neither shall she. I have told you
already that, unless you swear to me not to put forth your power upon
me to dismiss me, I will not lead you to the treasure. But that is not
enough; for men deceive, and you are a man. But if at any time hereafter
I feel within me those pangs that tell me you are about to separate
me from this world, at that moment, Kamaiakan, I will drive this knife
through the heart of Miriam! If I cannot keep her body, at least it
shall be but a corpse when I leave it. You know Semitzin; and you know
that she will keep her word!"

She reined in her horse, as she spoke, and sat gazing upon her companion
with flashing eyes. The Indian, after a pause, made a gesture of gloomy
resignation. "It shall be as you say, then, Semitzin; and upon your head
be it! Henceforth, Miriam is no more. But do you beware of the vengeance
of the gods, whose laws you have defied."

"Let the gods deal with me as they will," replied the Aztecan. "A day of
happiness with the man I love is worth an age of punishment."

Kamaiakan made no answer, and the two rode forward in silence.

It was midnight, and a bright star, nearly in the zenith, seemed to hang
precisely above the summit of the great white pyramid at the mouth of
the gorge.

"It was here that we stopped," observed Semitzin. "We tied our horses
among the shrubbery round yonder point. Thence we must go on foot.
Follow me."

She struck her heels against her horse's sides, and went forward. The
long ride seemed to have wearied her not a whit. The lean and wiry
Indian had already betrayed symptoms of fat