which steaming vapors escaped,
while others gave forth streams of water. The darkness added to the
difficulties of the way, for, although the sky was now clear, the gloom
was deceptive, and things distant seemed near. Occasionally a heavy,
irregular sound would break the stillness, as some projection of a cliff
became loosened and tumbled down the steep declivity.

Semitzin, however, held on her way fearlessly and without hesitation,
and the Indian, with the pack-horse, followed as best he might, now and
then losing sight for a moment of the slight, grayish figure in front
of him. At length she disappeared behind the jutting profile of a great
promontory which formed a main angle of the gorge. When he came up with
her, she was kneeling beside the prostrate form of a man, supporting his
head upon her knee.

Kamaiakan approached, and looked at the face of the man, which was
pale; the eyes were closed. A streak of blood, from a wound on the head,
descended over the right side of the forehead.

"Is he dead?" the Indian asked.

"He is not dead," replied Semitzin. "A flying stone has struck him; but
his heart beats: he will be well again." She poured some water from her
canteen over his face, and bent her ear over his lips. "He breathes,"
she said. Slipping one arm beneath his neck, she loosened the shirt at
his throat and then stooped and kissed him. "Be alive for me, love," she
murmured. "My life is yours."

This exhortation seemed to have some effect. The man stirred slightly,
and emitted a sigh. Presently he muttered, "I can--lick him--yet!"

"He will live, princess," remarked Kamaiakan. "But where is the
treasure?"

"My treasure is here!" was her reply; and again she bent to kiss the
half-conscious man, who knew not of his good fortune. After an interval
she added, "It is in the hollow beneath that archway. Go down three
paces: on the wall at the left you will feel a ring. Pull it outwards,
and the stone will give way. Behind it lies the chest in which the
jewels are. But remember your promise!"

Kamaiakan peered into the hollow, shook his head as one who loves not
his errand, and stepped in. The black shadow swallowed him up. Semitzin
paid no further attention to him, but was absorbed in ministering to her
patient, whose strength was every moment being augmented, though he was
not yet aware of his position. But all at once a choking sound came from
within the cave, and in a few moments Kamaiakan staggered up o