The Devil-Tree of El Dorado: A Novel

by Frank Aubrey

  CHAPTER IX.

  VISION OR REALITY?

  The following afternoon, a long train of Indians, with Monella andElwood at its head, was making its way slowly along the tunnel-likeroad that had been cut through the heart of Roraima Forest. They allcarried loads, and they had with them, besides, Monella's two llamas,which were also loaded with as much as they could carry. All lookedmore or less wearied from their long march, and cast many anxiousglances ahead as they approached the end of their journey. When theyreached the part where the path opened and the trees became thinner,Matava fired two shots, the agreed-on signal to Templemore; they wereanswered at once by one from him, and, shortly afterwards, he was seenmaking his way towards them. He relieved Elwood of a few things he wascarrying, and inquired whether they brought any news.

  "None," said Elwood; "and you?"

  "First of all," returned Jack, "here's a very curious and awkwardthing. I have come across a large _puma_ that has taken a great fancyto me, and has become somewhat of a 'white elephant.' At the presentmoment it is looking out of window, anxiously awaiting my return; and,though it has not yet learned to scramble down the ladder, I'm not atall sure it won't acquire that accomplishment shortly--or it may evenrisk the leap down. What I am thinking of is the animals you have withyou--they might tempt it; otherwise, it seems tame and good-naturedenough, and I do not think it will hurt either you or the Indians."

  "Does it seem like an animal that has been tamed, then?" asked Monella."And where did you come across it? Inside, I suppose?"

  "Why, yes. But I'll tell you later. Meantime, can't we halt the animalshere, and keep them out of sight for awhile? My new friend is as bigas a lioness, and of the same sex--and would have one of them down ina moment, if she felt so inclined. You can't tie her up, you know,without a collar and chain, even if one cared to make the attempt. Itried to drive her away, but it was of no use; and I've been sittingthere racking my brains as to what on earth I was to do when you came,and hoping against hope that the beast would take herself off." AndJack looked the picture of comical perplexity and bewilderment.

  Meantime, the train had come to a halt, and Matava and the otherIndians crowded round Templemore and examined him with great curiosityand attention. There were many strange Indians who had been induced,for a consideration, to accompany the party, and these were equallyinquisitive. Some came and touched him, as though to make sure hewas real flesh and blood. Since Jack seemed inclined to resent this,Leonard laughingly explained.

  "They can scarcely believe that any man can have passed a night in themountain and live to tell the tale," Elwood told Templemore. "Theiridea is that you have been eaten up or captured by the 'demons,' whohave sent back a ghostly presentment of their victim to lead on theothers. So they are anxious to know whether it is really yourself ora spectral imitation. You may be sure, too, your 'lioness' will be amatter of serious speculation to them. She will be looked upon as afamiliar spirit, to a certainty."

  Monella had said little; but he now proposed to go on to the cave atonce with Jack and Elwood, to see how matters really stood, leaving theothers to await their return.

  On nearing the 'window' they saw, sure enough, the head and paws of animmense tawny-coloured animal that gave a cry--a sort of half-whine,half-roar--of recognition on seeing Jack. The ladder was lying on theground outside.

  "There you are," he observed with a mixture of mock gravity and realanxiety; and he waved his hand towards the animal. "Let me introduceyou to the 'Lady of the Mountain.' I only hope to goodness she willbehave herself and receive you in a friendly manner; for, if not, _I_have no control over her. I disclaim all responsibility."

  Monella and Elwood looked curiously at what they could see of theanimal. It seemed, as Jack had said, nearly as large as a lioness.

  "It is a puma," said Monella decidedly, "though a very large one. Inever saw one anything near the size. However, there is no need to beafraid of it; you have heard me say you need never fear a puma."

  "Yes," returned Jack, "and here is an opportunity of testing yourfaith in your own theory. I confess, if I did not already know she waswell-disposed towards myself, I should think twice before I venturedupon going near her."

  "Nonsense!" said Monella, taking up the ladder and placing it againstthe opening. "I will show you the creature is tame and friendly enough.I could see it at the first glance." And he ascended the ladder andentered the cavern, pushing the puma on one side as coolly as if itwere a pet dog. Then he turned and called to Elwood to follow.

  Jack also went after them, and found the puma already on friendly termswith both, much to his own relief; for he had had misgivings.

  "The question now is what about the llamas?" he next said. "Do youthink she is to be trusted there--and with the Indians?"

  "With the Indians--yes--though _they_ probably would object," repliedMonella; "but, with the llamas, it is doubtful. So we had best be onthe safe side, and keep them, if possible, out of her sight."

  "She's wonderfully playful," observed Jack; "just like a great kitten.I've been playing with her with my lasso, and she will run about afterit by the hour together, just for all the world like a kitten. If youwant to keep her out of the way on the other side, all that need bedone is for one of us to stay there and play with her."

  "Let Elwood do so then," Monella decided. "He is tired; and you cancome and help unload."

  The animal had, in fact, already begun to show a liking for Leonard,and, when he went out towards the canyon, it followed him at once. Jackwatched this with some surprise, and affected much disgust.

  "Just like the generality of females," he remarked, "inconstant andchangeable. Here have I been at the trouble of capturing the beast, andbeing worried with her all day, only to see her transfer her affectionsand allegiance to some one else at the very first opportunity!"

  The unloading was then proceeded with, and before dark everything theyhad brought was placed within the cavern temporarily, to be moved on toother places, as might subsequently be determined.

  When all had been brought in, the Indians set to work to cook theirevening meal, while Jack did the same outside the canyon entrance.The hunters had shot an antelope, and with some of this and some fisha satisfying meal was provided; the puma lying down and watchingthe proceedings with evident curiosity, but with no more attempt atinterference or stealing than in the case of a well-trained dog.Needless to say she was rewarded for her patience with a share.

  When the meal was over, and Jack and Leonard took out their pipes,Monella, looking at the former, said,--

  "You have something of importance to tell us. What have you seen?"

  At this Elwood turned and regarded Jack with surprise.

  "Why, what is it?" he exclaimed. "You have said nothing about it allthis time!"

  Jack looked a little sheepish. He was somewhat taken aback, too, byMonella's direct question. It brought to his mind the query that hadoften arisen before--could this strange being read his thoughts?

  "I scarcely know whether I have seen something or only dreamed it," hebegan hesitatingly; and seeing Leonard, at this, open his eyes, Jackwent on desperately: "Well, yes! I may as well out with it and make aclean breast of it! I _have_ something to tell you, and for the life ofme, I cannot make up my mind whether I actually _saw_ it, or dreamedit--whether, in short, it was reality, or only a vision!"

  Leonard opened his eyes wider than ever, and gave a long whistle.

  "_You_ having 'visions'!" he exclaimed in unbounded astonishment."_You_, the scoffer, the hard-headed, prosaic-minded derider of dreamsand visions! Great Scott! Is the world then coming to an end? Or havethe demons of the mountain in truth bewitched you as Matava declaredthey would?"

  "Ah! I knew you would laugh at me, of course. And I feel I deserve it.However, if you want to hear what I have to tell, you will have to keepquiet a bit. I cannot explain while you are talking, you know."

  "I'll not say another word; I'm 'mum,' but amazed!" Elwood answered."Now go a-head."


  "Well, yesterday, after you left, I pulled up the ladder and carefullyclosed the 'window' by rolling the stone back into the place, as wefirst found it. I thought to myself I would shut out the gloomy forest.Then I went up the canyon to explore the caves we spoke of, and soon,by accident, found a new one, so curiously hidden from sight, thatit seemed the very thing we wanted; so there was no need to searchfarther. Then I thought I would stroll up the canyon a bit, andreconnoitre; and I found another cave about half way up, and, findingthe sun getting warm, went in and had a rest. When it grew shady again,I thought, instead of coming back, I would go on to the top to see theview."

  Monella uttered an exclamation.

  "Ah! yes. I know you mean I ought to have kept below. However, no harmhas been done, and I could see no objection to going up and taking apeep from the top. I had my glasses with me and thought I might evencatch a glimpse of you on your way to 'Monella Lodge.' However, by thetime I reached the top it was getting dusk, and, after all, I foundmyself quite shut in by yet higher rocks on one side that I could notclimb, and a thick wood on the other. There was a grassy knoll of a fewhundred square yards in extent, and there I had to make up my mind topass the night. I was tired out; and, soon after it grew dark, I fellasleep."

  Templemore paused, and glanced doubtfully at Monella, as if expectinghim to say something; but he remained silent, and Jack proceeded:--

  "I seemed to wake up after being asleep for an hour or two. I say_seemed_ to wake up--I really cannot say--but either that, or I dreamedthe whole thing. Well, I seemed to wake up, and fancied I heard distantshouts. I looked sleepily round and was surprised and alarmed to seea very unmistakable glow in the sky through the trees. It struck meat once that the forest must be on fire, and if so, I thought, myposition might be an awkward one. If the wood were burning, and thefire travelling in the direction of where I was, to have to retreatdown the canyon in the dark would be anything but agreeable. Aftersome consideration I decided to venture a little way into the wood,and climb a tree in the hope of getting a view of what was going on. Icould hardly, I reflected, lose my way, for, when I wished to return,I should only have to turn my back on the direction in which the firelay and march straight back. Accordingly, I made my way into the wood;at first it was very dense, but soon it grew thinner, and, encouragedby this, I went straight on, when I emerged on to a high plateau, wherean extraordinary sight presented itself. I seemed to be on the edge ofan extensive sort of basin; I could see for miles; and in the centre,as it appeared, there was a broad lake, and beside the lake were loftybuildings lighted up on all sides, the lights being reflected in thewater. There seemed to me a large city; there were buildings thatlooked like grand palaces; there were wide noble-looking embankmentsand promenades and bridges, all well lighted; and, on the lake, boats,also lighted, were going to and fro, filled with people. I could hearshouts and cries, though of what nature it was impossible to say; andthrough my glasses I could plainly distinguish numbers of people movingabout. It was as though some kind of _fete_ were going on. The largebuildings towered into the air, and their cupolas and turrets glistenedas though built of gold and silver. In effect, it was a wonderfulsight, and how long I stood watching it I cannot say; but, after atime, the lights went down and all became silent and dark. I managed tofind my way back to my camping ground, and, while thinking it all overin astonished wonder, I fell asleep again, as I suppose. At any rate,when I finally awoke, the sun was shining and this animal was lying onthe grass by my side."

  "What! the puma?" Leonard asked.

  "Yes. I was rather upset at first sight of her, you may be sure. Towake and find oneself in a wild place at the mercy of a great animallike that is a startler for any one's nerves, I can assure you. Nochance to use one's rifle or anything, you know. However, while I layvery still and watched it, not knowing what to do, I saw it must bea puma, though an unusually large one. Then I thought of what you,Monella, had told us--that we need never be afraid of a puma. And thenthe beast turned round and began licking my hand! It stood up, too, andpurred, and put up its tail just like a tame cat; so I made friendswith it and found it was quite disposed to be on good terms. After abit my dream came back to me, and I went into the wood some distance,but could see nothing. The forest seemed awfully thick, and to getdenser at every step; so I finally came away, thinking I must eitherhave had a remarkably vivid dream or vision, or that I had really beenthe sport of some demons of the mountain such as Matava and his Indianfriends so thoroughly believe in." And Jack paused, and looked at histwo companions with an odd mixture of doubt and bewilderment.

  Elwood's face, while he had been listening, had become lighted up withsympathetic enthusiasm. It fell a little at the end of the recital,when Jack made the suggestion about the 'demons.'

  "Certainly," he said, "it sounds like witchcraft to hear you, our ownmatter-of-fact Jack, who never dreams, make such suggestions. But,either one way or the other, it goes to prove that there is somethingvery extraordinary about this mountain."

  Elwood looked at Monella.

  "What do you think of it all?" he asked.

  "I think," he replied, "that our friend ought, in future, to be lessready to deride those who may have to tell of strange things, whetherdreams and visions, or out-of-the-way experiences."

  "I admit that to be a just rebuke," Jack responded with a good-naturedlaugh; "but it does not tell us, all the same, what your real opinionmay be." But Monella had already risen from where he had been sittingand moved away to speak to the Indians.

  "I say, Jack," said Leonard, "can't you _really_ say, straight out,whether you _saw_ this or only dreamed it?"

  "Truly, my dear boy, it seemed so natural that I should say it wasreal, only for the inherent improbability of the thing. Then, too, Icould see nothing this morning to confirm it, you know."

  "Surely," Elwood said dreamily, "the Indian tales of demons thatcan bewitch you cannot have any foundation? There cannot be anunsubstantial city of demons to be seen at night, that vanishes andbecomes only plain forest in the daytime? That is taking us back to theArabian Nights, isn't it?"

  Jack shook his head.

  "I am more bewildered and puzzled than I can possibly give you any ideaof," he returned. "The whole thing is beyond me; the sight I saw, ordreamed; and then, again, the behaviour of this animal here."

  "Ah," Elwood said, "this puma! Does it not behave as though it were atame animal used to the company of human beings?"

  "I must say that idea has occurred to me more than once to-day; butthe more I think over it, the more hopelessly puzzling the whole thingbecomes." And Templemore, for the time being, gave it up.