ostal, in a solemn tone of voice;
"and why should _they_ not know? They have learnt these things from
Tlaloc and Matlacuezc--gods they were, as powerful as the Christ of the
pale faces. Why--"

"Don't speak so loud!" interrupted Clara, in a voice that betokened
alarm. "The priests of the Christians have their ears everywhere. They
might call it blasphemy; and _carrambo_! the Inquisition has its dangers
for blacks as well as whites!"

On hearing the word Inquisition the Indian involuntarily lowered his
voice; but continued speaking in a tone that his companion could still
hear him.

"My fathers," said he, "have told me that the Siren never appears to any
one who is alone. It is necessary that two be present--two men of tried
courage they must be--for the divinity is often wrathful at being
invoked, and at such times her anger is terrible. As two men are
required, I need another besides myself. Will you then be my
companion?"

"Hum!" said Clara. "I may boast that I am not afraid of a man; though I
confess I cannot say the same about a tiger. As to your Siren, that
appears to be the very devil--"

"Man, tiger, or devil," cried Costal, "why fear any of the three? What
need one care for them--one who has a stout heart--especially when the
reward of his courage is gold, and enough of it to make a grand lord out
of a poor Indian?"

"And of a negro as well?"

"Without doubt."

"Say, rather," rejoined Clara, with an air of discouragement, "that gold
could serve neither one nor the other. Black and Indian, both are
slaves, and our masters would soon take it from us."

"True enough what you say; but let me tell you, Clara, that the bondage
of the Indian is approaching its end. Have you not heard that up in the
north--in the _tierra adentro_--a priest has proclaimed the emancipation
of all races, and equal liberty for all?"

"No," replied the negro, betraying his total ignorance of the political
affairs of the country, "I have heard nothing about it."

"Know, then, that the day is at hand when the Indian will be on an
equality with the white, the Creole with the Spaniard; and when an
Indian, such as I, will be the master of both!"

The descendant of the Zapoteques delivered this speech with an air of
proud exultation.

"Yes!" continued he, "the day of our ancient splendour will soon return.
That is why I am desirous at present of acquiring gold. Hitherto I
have not troubled myself about finding it; si