Green Mansions: A Romance of the Tropical Forest

ast shut to prevent them from being blinded by almost continuous vivid flashes of lightning. Injured, and sore all over, but warm and dry-surely dry; nor was it lightning that dazzled, bu

too; I listened to it sobbing in the trees, and occasionally a puff found its way in, and blew up the white ashes at the old man's feet, and shook the yellow flames like a flag. I remembered now how the storm began, the wild girl, the snake-bite, my violent efforts to find a way out of the woods, and, finally, that leap from the bank where recollection ended. That I had not been killed by the venomous tooth, nor the subsequent fearful fall, seemed like a miracle to me. And in that wild, solitary place, lying insensible, in that awful storm and dark

y interest and compassion. For he seemed so poor in his old age and rags, so solitary and dejected as he sat there with knees drawn up, his great, brown, bare feet looking almost black by contrast with the white wood-ashes about them! What could I do for hi

middle running its entire length, dividing it in zones; his arched eyebrows were black as ink, and his small black eyes were bright and cunning, like the eyes of some wild carnivorous animal. In this part of his face youth had held its own, especially in the eyes, which looked young and lively. But lower down age had conquered

old man?

agan! I might be a black man from Africa, or an Englishman, but an Indian-that, no! But a minute ago

tobacco-i

and sweet potatoes instead, it would have been better for him, if curses have any effect. And the plant grows slowly, sir-it is not an evil weed t

I said. "You will find it in

dchild-Rima, have you got a tobacco-pouc

he fire, partially hid by the shadows. She had my leather belt, with the revolver in its case, and my hunting-knife attached, and the f

Rima," he said. "Let me first sm

him was a puzzle, so intensely did he seem now to enjoy it, drawing the smoke vigorously into his lungs and, after keeping it ten or fifteen seconds there, letting it fly out again from mouth and nose in blue

hat a young man of so distinguished an appearance as yourself, a

t your neigh

tacle among his rags. "Love them, sir! They are infidels, and therefore the good Christian must only hate them. They are thieves-they will steal from you before your very face, so devoid are they of all shame. And also murderers; gladly would they burn this poor thatch above my

for his words had excited m

istian who knows her Catechism, and would not harm the smallest thing that God has made-no, not a fly, which is not regarded on account of its sm

n astonishment. "Explain, old man,

own heedlessness you were

your knowledge. But why am I not a dead man, then-have you

ary place he is in God's hands. He will live or die as God wills. There is nothing to be done. But

and heard before when I have walked in the fo

carefully rolling u

possible!"

me good angel who was watching you, in order to stop your career, made you mad altogether and caused you to jump over a precipice and lose your senses. And you were no sooner on the ground than she was with you-ask me not how she got down! And when she had propped you up against the bank, she came for me. Fortunately

yes cast down and hands folded in her lap. Recalling that brilliant being in the wood that had protected the

said. "Will you come here and stand bef

lap, she stood up; then, passing behind the old man, came and stood

ce also showed the same delicate lines, but of the brilliant animation and variable colour and expression there appeared no trace. Gazing at her countenance as she stood

hey fall, dissolving into nothing, to be succeeded by others and yet others? In its exquisite form, its changeful splendour, its swift motions and intervals of aerial suspension, it is a creature of such fairy-like loveliness as to mock all description. And have you seen this same fairy-like creature suddenly perch its

e must be a good deal of strength in that frame of yours,

placing her arms round me, as

I groaned. "Is there a bone

For this is how it was, senor. A thorny bush into which you fell saved you from being flattened on the stony ground. But y

," I said, "from the way it pains. Feel m

with her little cool hand. "No, senor,

rrible storm! Ah, if I could lift my bruised arm I would take your hand to kiss it in gratitude

amused, but the girl lift

really you that saved the serpent's life when I would have killed it-

" came her g

ood one day, lying on the grou

, se

among the trees, calling to me, yet alwa

, se

I exclaimed; whereat th

"You never addressed me in Spanish; what stran

face and looked troubled at th

r she is docile and obedient, though I say it, but there is no answer beyond what I can tell you. And this is, sir, that all

st for the present. But if I am destined to live and not die, I

igued; it is thoughtless of me t

, she replied in a low voice: "I am not fatigu

she ministered to me. The exquisite fragrance of her breath was more to me than the most delicious viands could have been; and it was a delight each time she raised the spoon to my mouth to catch a momentary glimpse of her eyes, which now looked dark as wine when we lift the glass to see the ruby gleam of light within the purple. But she never for a moment laid aside the silent, meek, constrained manner; and when

many he had smoked by this time. He became very talkative and called to his side his two dogs, which I had not noticed in the room before, for me to see. It amused me to hear their names-Susio and Goloso: Dirty and Greedy