The idol's eye : being adventures in search of a big diamond

Front matter

BY W. STEPHENS HAYWARD

AUTHOR OF "THE BLACK ANGEL."

i

Introduction

' I KNEW it was Andrew,' said Ruth, as the door opened and the young man entered.

All eyes were turned towards him for a moment, and then the gaze of the family group was concentrated on his companion — a stranger.

The old cat arched her back and hissed, and then got under the huge old wardrobe or press.

The two dogs, Bruin and Leo, snarled and showed their teeth ; the tame owl, perched on the top of the wardrobe, hooted out his harsh scream ; and the talking starling chattered, ' Get out, get out!'

There seemed a sudden sensation of cold to pervade the whole party, chilling them, as it were, to the very marrow.

Perhaps it was the cold air of the Canadian snowstorm raging without which caused this sudden chill.

But yet the door had been opened several times before that evening, and no such deathly chill was felt.

Could it be the mysterious stranger whose

" 3 entrance with Andrew Battel caused this shuddering sensation of cold?

Truly he was a strange, weird-lookine; beino;.

But, before speaking of him, we will devote a short chapter to the Battel family, now comfortably settled on a tract of fertile land in the far-away backwoods of Canada.

Chapter I. The Mysterious Stranger — The One-eyed Snake

A ROARING fire of Canadian pine-logs blazed on the broad open hearth, the genial glow it threw out thoroughly warming every corner of the big backwood hut, whilst the merrv crackle of the flames seemed to laugh to scorn the di-mal howling of the snowstorm which raged without.

It was a huge open chimney, with chimneycorners on either side — a real old-fashioned English chimney-place, such as is only to be found in some old farmhouses in the ' old country.'

The ' old counirif was the endearing name this emigrant family — settled in the backwoods of Canada — always used when speaking of the tiy;ht little island.

Always, too, when there was talk of any one going back across the Atlantic, tin? phrase was not 'going to England,' but 'going home.'

'Wherever can Andrew be?' remarked Philip Battel, eldest sou of this well-to-dc ennVrant family.

THE MYSTERIOUS STRANGER. 3

' Guess lie's staying it out down creek at the store till this hyar snow-screamer has blowed itself out a bit.'

It was one Peter Carder who spoke — a down-east Yankee, six feet eleven inches in his socks, a very giant in stature, with limbs like oak saplings, and body like the trunk of an iron-bark tree.

He was at once friend, guest, and field and forest help to the Battels — his knowledge of backwood craft and North American farming, timber felling, and land clearing generally, having stood the Battels in good stead when they first arrived in the colony.

A Yankee born and bred, he left Massachusetts, his native state, for sound and solid reasons.

When he crossed the border into Canada, the second year of the great American civil war had commenced.

Now Peter Carder had his own views on this question — views which fully accounted for his course of action in leaving the States, and coming over into British dominions. The reader will best understand them in his own words.

' Yer see, I'm all for the Union — game to fight for the Union, and help squa-h up the rebels like an eggshell. But I don't go in for stealing. Yer see, slavery is a part o' the Constitution ; and if we Northerners want to abolish slavery and set all the niggers free, we ought to do it at our own expense. Pay for 'em in an honest and manly manner, like you Britishers did when yer let loose yer West India niggers. But for Mrs. Beecher Stowe and Parson Brownlow and that lot a-gettin' our President, old Abe, to declare all the slaves free without a red cent of expense — as they want to and will, I reckon — to no one but the planters, which it's ru'n to, I didn't see it — and I didn't see the exact glory of being conscripted and sent down South to tight whether I liked it or not. So says I, when I hears I was likely to be conscripted, " It can't be did.'' May I be rammed, jammed, slammed, and banged if Uncle Sam s agoin' to stick up this six foot eleven of human timber for the rebels to make a target of and practise at. So I just slips up North by the underground railway, crosses the border, aid here I am — and here I mean to stay till they've fout that muss out down South. Yes, sirree !'

Very shortly after arriving on Canadian territory Peter Carder fell across the Batttls, newly come from England. He was not short of money, having fifteen hundred dollars in specie.

He did not mean to settle permanently in Canada, as he intended, when the war was over, to go back to his father's farm in Massachusetts. But he was not of the lazy sort, so he at once offered liis services to Philip Battel senior.

A bargain was soon struck, and the Battels had good reason to rejoice at falling aero :S such a help. Not only was his strength enormous, but he was quick, keen-witted, and well skilled in all matters relating to forest life, hunting, andbackwood farming.

' Guess he's staying it out down creek a 4 the store till this hyar snow- screamer has bio wed itself out a bit.'

To him replied Philip Battel— Farmer Battel they called him in that far-away western country, to distinguish him from his eldest son Philip,

'No, no, Peter, tlr^t won't do; that ain't the style of my boy Andrew. If it snowed red-hot

THE MYSTERIOUS STRANGER. O

drops of iron in place of snowflakes, Andrew Battel wouldn't be stayed.'

' What do you mean by insinuating that my brother Andrew was one to be frightened by a bit of a snow-squall? I'd have you know, you great long Yankee, our English lads can stand heat and cold as well as you Americans. I've a great mind to start you off down creek to find out what it is keeps Andrew, and we waiting tea for him.'

It was Ruth Battel who spoke — a soft-eyed, brown-haired English maiden, the flower of the flock, who had woven around the giant's heart a net of silken cords.

Humbly he replied, rising at the time,

' O, I'll go, Miss Ruth, it you wish it.'

1 I've a great mind to,' said the young lady ; but her younger sister interrupted,

' No, don't send him down creek, Ruth ; punish him another way. Don't speak to him for a week, the great stupid.'

It was Aiice Battel who recommended this penalty.

' I'd rather go, Miss Ruth,' said Peter Carder, moving towards the door.

Ruth turned her graceful head a little, listened, and then said,

' Sit down this instant ; there is no need for you to go. Here he comes ; I can hear his step.'

'Yes, that is Andrew's footfall,' said Alice; 'but there's somebody with him. I wonder who it can bef

The door opened. For a moment the wintry blast rushed in, and then Andrew Battel entered, followed by the mysterious stranger.

O THE II>OL S EYE.

CHAPIEE II.

THE BATTELS AND THEIR HOME IN THE BACKWOODS.

'Father, mother, I have brought a guest with me. I know you will give him welcome and shelter. He has only this night crossed the border to our free British soil — a fugitive, fleeing for freedom from the far South. He will tell you his story presently ; it is a wondrous one, I promise ^ou.'

Farmer Battel rose to his feet, and, -with true English hospitality, held foith his hand.

'Story or no story, stranger, fugitive slave, 01 not, you re welcome in Philip Battel's house. Come up to the front, lad, and warm yourself; you look half perished wi' cold. Here, Kuth, set our guest a chair, and see to having sune mo;o chops broiled, for doubtless he's hungry.'

'Thanks, good senor,' replied the stranger, in a slight foreign accent. 'In my childhood and boyhood I lived in a warm climate south of the equator, and for the last few years I have toiled as a slave on a Mississippi cotton plantation. Your Northern snow-storms come strange and harsh to me.'

Euth placed a chair for the stranger; Philip went out and fetched in two more groat logs and threw them on the tire ; the two dogs, scolded by their master, ceased snarling and showing their teeth, manifesting their dislike to the stranger only by an occasional low growl; the cat came from under the big wardrobe 1 , the owl stopped hooting, and the starling got tired of ealliri!;, ' G^out, get out !'

THE BATTELS. 7

Ample room was made for the stranger, his chair drawn close up to the blazing fire, and he was left to warm his shivering frame.

Whilst he is thus agreeably occupied, we will again turn our attention to the Battel family, and then to the mysterious s_tranger himself.

Philip Battel was a farmer in a southern county of England. For generations his ancestors before him had farmed the same land — about four hundred and fifty acres — rich grass and arable. A great part of it was freehold, and the remainder held favourably on lease.

But it happened there were certain mortgages and rent-charges on a portion of the farm ; and, moreover, a dispute, fanned by the lawyers into a flame, sprang up between Farmer Battel, then in the prime of life, between forty and fifty years of age, and a neighbour.

L. an evil hour Philip Battel was induced to go to law. Suit after suit, action after action, and huge bills of costs about every month were now the order of the day. This lasted for two yeaiv, and at the end of that time Philip Battel discovered, to his dismay, that he was all but a ruined man.

The leases were all mortgaged, and even the home farm had a charge upon it.

It was imperative to pay off some of the mortgages and all the interest at once.

The only possible way to do this was by means of a sale, and, with a sad heart, the sturdy English farmer gave the necessary order.

He found that after paying all that was necessary, he would have a balance in hand of rather more than two thousand pounds.

This he thought insufficient to rent a farm with ;

and finally, after much deliberation, he resolved to emigrate to Canada with his family, and endeavour there, on virgin soil, to retrieve his shattered fortunes. His family then consisted of three sons — Philip and John, who had been brought up as farmers, and Andrew Battel, the youngest.

Now Andrew Battel had both more ambition and more energy than his elder brothers, and instead of following the quiet cosy home life on the farm as they did, he wa a , when a lad of fourteen, articled to a mining engineer.

Being of a mechanical and exploring turn of mind, this suited him admirably, and in five years he was as skilful a mining engineer and as good a iudge as his principal.

Then came the family smash, and Andrew, after much compunction and many regrets, resolved to throw in his lot with the rest, and accompany them to that new and favoured land.

But it was not altogether with the intention of farming that Andrew Battel decided on Canada.

He had heard much of the mineral wealth of North America — copper, iron, lead, coal, &c. — and he had a lurking hope that he might yet make a grand discovery, a lucky hit which would at once lead him to fame and wealth.

Above all things, Andrew Battel cherished the idea of one day being able to retrieve the family fortunes, to return to England a rich man, pay off all charges, and once more take possession of the old home, the old acres.

This predominant idea tinged the whole course of his life. He was constantly on the watch — ou the look-out for some opportunity to turn up.

He worked with the rest right manfully in

THE BATTELS. 9

getting the backwood land where they had settled into crop-bearing condition, but, as it were, his mind's eye was always straining far ahead.

He was very quiet, but withal cheerful, accepting his lot, the somewhat dull, monotonous, backwoods life, but always hoping and looking forward to something ahead.

And at last, on this stormy night, he heard a wondrous tale of gorgeous wealth and splendour, which instantly fired his enthusiastic imagination, and though outwardly he was calm and quiet, inwardly he was greatly excited. His pulse beat wildly, and busy fancy pictured to him in the future splendid triumphs, glorious success, boundless wealth.

Besides the boys there were three sisters, Ruth, the eldest, 19 ; Alice, 17 ; and Bessie, a charming little girl of 7.

This, then, is the Battel family at the time our tale opens :

Philip Battel and Mrs. Battel, the father and mother, aged 48 each ; Philip Battel, the eldest son, 24; John Battel, 22\; Andrew Battel, 21; Ruth 19 ; Alice, 17 ; and Bessie, 7.

By this time the stranger has got himself ' thawed a bit,' as Peter Carder, the Yankee, puts it ; and we will take a look at him.

In the first place, though, according to his own avowal, a fugitive slave, he was not a nigger — had nothing of the negro type about him.

In complexion he was not nearly so dark as many a Spaniard or Portuguese, while his hair had not the slightest trace of that short wavy curl which is to be seen even in an octoroon, descended from a negro parent.

Ilis nose was thin and straight, cars small and well shaped ; the month carried a very curious expression, the lips were thin, and the corners turned down ; at the same time some white, small, reguhr teeth were just visible; a slight black moustache was on the upper lip, but so small as in no way to disguise the strange expiession of the mouth.

It seemed as though he wore a continual mocking smile ; and yet, when he spoke, it was plain such was not the case, tor the mouth presented the same appearance when speaking in the most serious manner. But after a bit an observant stranger would find that the singular expression of the mouth might becapable of another interpretation.

It was as the smile of the tiger — cruel, remorseless, implacable

And the whole of the face, carefully studied, would seem to betoken a determined, remorseless nature. And yet it was a handsome face, regular in fii. lure, oval in eutline ; the complexion a light clear olive.

The most remaikable feature of all, however, was the eye. Only one he had, the other being wanting; the shrunken lid closed down on the empty orbit. But the remaining eye was ready astonishing, not so much from its keenness ami brilliancy as from a peculiar metallic glitter, scarce ever seen in creation, save in the eyes of certain species of snakes.

It was almost impossible to decide the colour of this eye. At o.ie moment it seemed like a black coal, in the midst of which glowed a red spark.

At another time, and in a different light, it would seem to dart glances of pale-bluish intensity, like forked lightning.

THE BATTELS. 11

And, again, it would appear to sparkle with a brilliancy and purity of light resembling that of the diamond.

Then, again, it would seem like a great emerald, flashing forth dark-green ray?.

Taken altogether, it was the most extraordinary eye ever seen or heard of. And all the while the stranger was warming himself — looking straight in the fire — the Battel family regarded their guest with furtive looks of wonder, almost of alarm.

And yet, barring this extraordinary eye, and the strange expression of face, there was nothing alarming about the stranger.

He was, if anything, below the middle stature and size, rather slender; being framed, it would appear, more for activity than strength.

Indeed, his body seemed as lithe and supple as that of a cat, a leopard, or a tiger.

And yet, beneath the supple and pliable skin there lay bands of muscles hard and firm as hempen cord?, tendons and sinews strong as iron wire.

Add to these advantages of activity and strength, extraordinary nervous energy and power of endurance, and it will be conceded that the fugitive slave was no ordinary man.

His English was excellent, marked only by a slight foreign accent, which would seem to denote that he came originally from one of the Spanish colonies, or conquered lands of the New World.

And such indeed was the fact, as will appear presently.

So soon as the stranger had been thoroughly warmed and refreshed with the bountiful fare provided, the women withdrew to the other room.

12 THE IDOL'S EXE.

The Battels — father and sons — lit their pipes, and Andrew, handing a cigar to the guest, said,

' And now, my friend, I don't doubt you will relate to my father and brothers some of the strange and wonderful things you told me, also as much as you choose of your own origin and history.'

' Ay, lad,' put in Farmer Battel, ' begin at the beginning. Let us know who you are, what you are, and all about you : that is, if you are eo inclined.'

The stranger rose, and, standing in front of the fire, facing the four Battels, thus spoke, taking up as he did so a really striking attitude, and yet not an overstrained one :

'Good senors, I willingly comply with your wish. In the first place, yon, worthy senor,' addressing Farmer Battel, ' wish to know who and what I am — my origin : I will tell you. You behold in me the last of the Incas — the ancient emperors of Peru. I am a lineal descendant of the Inca Atahualpa, treacheously murdered by the Spaniard Pizarro in 1533, more than three centuries ago. By lawful descent and right, I who now stand before you — a while back a fugitive slave — am Inca of Peru , monarch of Chili and Patagonia, possessor of boundless wealthy lawful emperor of those golden glorious lands.''

Chapter III. The Idol's Eye— A Bold Resolution For An Extraordinary Enterprise

THERE was a silence after this extraordinary and magnificent declaration by the stranger.

A BOLD EESOLUTION. 13

He stood sideways to the fire, one half of his face lighted up by the blaze, the other in the shadow, as there was no other light in the room, the glare of the fire being sufficient.

And on the dark side of the face there gleamed — like a diamond, shining, it seemed, by its own light — the glittering strange eye already spoken of.

They all gazed at him as he thus stood, his features wearing an expression of wild excitement, of enthusiasm, almost akin to the peculiar look of a madman.

And jet he was certainly no madman, for very soon he controlled himself, and his face again assumed its wonted look, the curious half-smile again having place.

Farmer Battel was a man of experience and quick perception, and, as he gozed on his strange guest, he said to himself,

' Whatever may be the case as to the truth of his extraordinary statements, he believes it himself. The fellow is not a cunning impostor.'

And therein the elder Battel was right.

Philip and John looked at the being before them in silent wonder.

They were somewhat slow in thoughts, and the astounding statement just delivered so seriously absolutely took their breath away, so to speak, and they were really unable to form any opinion on the subject.

Andrew Battel, who had before heard this extraordinary statement, listened and looked with eager ears and eyes — the slight flush on his face, the parted lips, and his general expression of countenance showing his deep interest.

He too, however, said nothing, and it was left

1-i THE IDOL'S EYE.

for the tall Yankee, Peter Carder, to break the silence.

'Jerusalem! Say, Mr. Last of the Incas, kinder strikes me that would be a pritty good sort o' country to live in, that kingdom o yours ! Guess a feller oughter make money there pretty considerable. Now, do yer think of going back avid taking possession o' your rights ? an', if so, do yer feel inclined anyhow to take this six foot ten o' humanity with yer?'

All laughed at Peter's quaint speech, except Andrew, who looked quite grave and interested, and the stranger himself, who replied quite gravely,

' Senor, I intend to return to the glorious plains and mountain ranges of South America, and, favoured by fortune and my good star, will claim my own, and reign as monarch over the richest country in the world ! There will be great difficulties and dangers to be overcome, hardships to be endured — life itself may be lost in the attempt; but rest assured of this, senor, that when I go, those who accompany me, a ad survive the perils and fatigues of an expedition which may last two years, will be able to account themselves among the richest men in the world.'

'S^vamp snakes and pumpkin squash I' exclaimed Peter Carder. ' Why, I do believe the fellow's in airnest!'

'In earnest!' cried Andrew Battel ; 'of course he is ; and what's more, friend Peter, I do believe there's truth in what he says.'

' Ay, senor ; it is true — all true — all that 1 told you down at the store when you were so good as to take part with me against those two Californian rowdies.'

A EOLD RESOLUTION. 15

' Jerusalem ! I do wish I'd been there,' remarked Peter Carder. ' I do hate the Californians — a murderin', sneakin' lot o' scamps. Guess I'd ha' made it pretty lively for 'em if they'd set about to interfere with Andrew here.'

'The senor was quite enough for them,' remarked the stranger quietly ; ' he had an axe handle he had just bought in his hand. They drew their knives and seemed likely to come on, and I drew my knife too ; but Senor Andrew broke the arm of one, and the other didn't care about a handto-hand knife tussle with me, cold and weary as I was.'

' And so after the " muss " was over,' said Farmer Battel, '1 suppose you, Andrew, got this stranger to come into the little back room and spin you all this wonderful yarn, as the sailors say ?'

'Yes, father; and ic was indeed a wonderful story — true on the face of it. No man could invent such a series of wonders and be consistent. What do you say to gold everywhere ? Golden altars — golden gates — carpets of golden thread — precious stones, such as the Great Mogul never possessed — ■ pearls as large as pigeons' eggs — emeralds of inestimable value — garnets, topazes, carbuncles, amethysts, sapphires— silver a common metal, and used as such, for cooking utensils and so forth. And diamonds ! What would you say to ten large brilliants each as big as a hen's egg, interspersed with rubies and emeralds of equal size, all set in the golden coronet of an idol? And what do you say to the " Idol's Eye "? One large diamond in the centre of the forehead, as big as a swan's egg, and of the first water and brilliancy — eh, father? eh, Peter?'

'What do I say, Andrew V replied the farmer. ' Why, I say that the value of such a diamond would be enough to purchase right out the town of Quebec, and all the ships in the port to boot.'

' And what do I say, eh V replied Peter Carder. ' Wall, all I've got to say is, I'd like to have that air lump o' crystal. And what might you say to it jerself, Andrew?'

< What do I say ? Why, just this. I've talked a bit with our friend here down creek. He's going back to South America as soon as he possibly can, having a bit of money by him for passage fare. I'm going back with him to explore, and maybe get tons of gold and silver. And more than that, if he succeeds in getting back his kingdom, those who go with him are to have the jewelled coronet and the big diamond for their share. I mean to risk it and go, Peter, father, all of you ; and what's more, / mean to get the hig diamond, the IdoVs Eye .''

Thtn followed a silence. Astonishment was mingled with dismay in the minds of Farmer Battel and Mrs. Battel, Ruth and Alice, who had entered just ii time to hear his resolve.

All knew too well the character and disposition of Andrew to doubt that he meant what he said— every word — and that when once he had made up his mind on any subject it was only waste of time and words to endeavour to dissuade him.

Peter Carder was the first to speak. He knew his friend Andew also, and felt sure he meant doing as he said.

' Say, Mister Last o' the Incas,' he said, in his quaint Yankee manner, ' I have heard say that down south there — about a country called Patagonia — there's some tallish people.'

A BOLD RESOLUTION. 17

He rose to his feet, and, drawing himself up to his full height, asked,

' Did you ever see a man down there taller than mcf

The stranger glanced at him for a moment, and then replied quietly,

' Seuor, I have seen men in those regions taller than you, by at least two heads.'

' Thunder !' exclaimed the Yankee. ' Why, that would make 'em about nine feet high !'

' That is so, senor,' replied the other quietly.

'Jerusalem! rattlesnakes! and glory!' exclaimed the Yankee. 'Andrew, lad, I must have a look at those tall coves. I never did see any one yet as could come within an inch of me, and I'd like to. I always said whenever I did meet a bigger man than me I'd try a fall with him. Andrew, lad, I'll go with you to try a fall with one o' those tarnation Patagonians, if for nothing else.'

' Ah !' said Andrew, ' but we will go for something else, Peter, my boy. If you go, we'll get the jewels and the big diamond, the Idol's Eye, and share them between us. Do you mean it?'

' Mean it !' cried the giant, reaching out his long arm, and grasping Andrew's hand. 'May I bo rammed, jammed, slammed, and banged if I don't go with you and Mister the Last oi the Incas, if you mean going — '

' Right,' said Andrew shortly. ' Bet your life, then, friend Peter, we get the l>ig diamond, the Idol's Eye !'

Chapter IV. Andrew Battel Makes Up His Mind To Accompany The Stranger

'Ay, there's no mistake about it, we both mean to go. I can answer for myself, at least.'

'Bet your life, Andrew and friends all, Peter Carder is not the man to back out when he has said a thing. If you go, and Mister the Last of the Incas here, I go too.'

Here Ruth put in her gentle protest; for, to tell the truth, in her heart of hearts she had a great liking for the great, good-humoured, honesthearted giant.

' I do believe you are both out of your minds. As for you, Peter, you ought to know better — you are old enough, and big enough, goodness knows, you great stupid, you ! The idea of going off to South America on such a wild-goose chase ! To think of two young fellows like you proposing to tramp thousands of miles all over an unknown country, among wild beasts and savage Indians ! You're sure to be drowned or starved to death, or something. So you just give up all thought of it this instant, or I'll come over and box your ears for you, you great oaf, I will !'

' You'd have either to stand on a chair, or make Peter sit down, to do it, sis,' remarked Andrew. Whereat all the Battels laughed, and even the mysterious stranger smiled.

' I'm bound to go, if Andrew does, Miss Ruth,' said Peter Carder, 'because, you see, I said I would. And when I put my foot down on a thing, it's got to be done. So if Andrew goes, I go

ANDREW BATTEL MAKES UP HIS MIND. 19

too. Mayhap you can persuade him to give it up.'

Peter knew right well that the request would be a vain one, and Ruth herself had but faint hopes of being able to dissuade her brother from what they all thought his insane project.

She soon discovered that Andrew was not to be moved by anything she could say. Indeed, he replied to her with considerable skill and tact, endeavouring to let them all understand that there was nothing by any means mad about the idea.

As to the danger, he went on to explain :

' There's danger in pretty nearly everything a man sets about. There's danger in riding a horse, in driving a horse — danger in going about among cattle — danger in felling — danger in many other things we do every day of our lives. Of course, there'll be danger — danger in the sea voyage, to begin with, as there was when we crossed the Atlantic. But there's no danger so desperate as to daunt resolute me. Scores — ay, hundreds — of travellers and explorers have roamed in the vast interior of the great South American continent, some in search of gold, silver, and jewels — others bent on scientific discovery. As an example of the latter, witness the great Humboldt, who crossed South America — from ocean to ocean, from the Atlantic to the Pacific — on foot. If there wa3 no spirit of enterprise in the world there would be no discovery. Doubtless, when Columbus sailed away to the setting sun to discover a new continent, many people at the time — ay, most people — thought him a madman, a crazy enthusiast, a dreamer. And doubtless, too, his own family urged him to abandon the rash enterprise. But he persevered, and discovered America. He knew — he felt a perfect certainty that there lay a great continent far away to the west.