"MY FRIEND: When you receive this I shall probably be once more on the bosom of that mysterious and mighty element whose majesty has impressed us, whose poetry we have loved, and whose moral lessons, I trust, have not been entirely thrown away upon us.I go to the deliverance of one of those oppressed nations whose history I have often recited to you, and in whose destiny you have from time to time expressed a womanly sympathy.While it is probable, therefore, that my MOTIVES may not be misunderstood by you, or even other dear friends of the Excelsior, it is by no means impossible that the celerity and unexpectedness of my ACTION may not be perfectly appreciated by the careless mind, and may seem to require some explanation.Let me then briefly say that the idea of debarking your goods and chattels, and parting from your delightful company at Todos Santos, only occurred to me on our unexpected--shall I say PROVIDENTIAL?--arrival at that spot; and the necessity of expedition forbade me either inviting your cooperation or soliciting your confidence.Human intelligence is variously constituted--or, to use a more homely phrase, 'many men have many minds'--and it is not impossible that a premature disclosure of my plans might have jeopardized that harmony which you know it has been my desire to promote.It was my original intention to have landed you at Mazatlan, a place really inferior in climate and natural attractions to Todo Santos, although, perhaps, more easy of access and egress; but the presence of an American steamer in the offing would have invested my enterprise with a certain publicity foreign, I think, to all our tastes.Taking advantage, therefore, of my knowledge of the peninsular coast, and the pardonable ignorance of Captain Bunker, I endeavored, through my faithful subordinates, to reach a less known port, and a coast rarely frequented by reason of its prevailing fog.Here occurred one of those dispensations of an overruling power which, dear friend, we have so often discussed.We fell in with an unknown current, and were guided by a mysterious hand into the bay of Todos Santos!
"You know of my belief in the infinite wisdom and benignity of events; you have, dear friend, with certain feminine limitations, shared it with me.Could there have been a more perfect illustration of it than the power that led us here? On a shore, historic in interest, beautiful in climate, hospitable in its people, utterly freed from external influences, and absolutely without a compromising future, you are landed, my dear friend, with your youthful companions.From the crumbling ruins of a decaying Past you are called to construct an Arcadia of your own; the rudiments of a new civilization are within your grasp; the cost of existence is comparatively trifling; the various sums you have with you, which even in the chaos of revolution I have succeeded in keeping intact, will more than suffice to your natural wants for years to come.Were I not already devoted to the task of freeing Quinquinambo, I should willingly share this Elysium with you all.
But, to use the glowing words of Mrs.M'Corkle, slightly altering the refrain--'Ah, stay me not! With flying feet O'er desert sands, I rush to greet My fate, my love, my life, my sweet Quinquinambo!'
"I venture to intrust to your care two unpublished manuscripts of that gifted woman.The dangers that may environ my present mission, the vicissitudes of battle by sea or land, forbid my imperiling their natural descent to posterity.You, my dear friend, will preserve them for the ages to come, occasionally refreshing yourself, from time to time, from that Parnassian spring.
"Adieu! my friend.I look around the familiar cabin, and miss your gentle faces.I feel as Jason might have felt, alone on the deck of the Argo when his companions were ashore, except that I know of no Circean influences to mar their destiny.In examining the state-rooms to see if my orders for the complete restoration of passengers' property had been carried out, I allowed myself to look into yours.Lying alone, forgotten and overlooked, I saw a peculiar jet hair-pin which I think I have observed in the coils of your tresses.May I venture to keep this gentle instrument as a reminder of the superior intellect it has so often crowned? Adieu, my friend.
"Ever yours, LEONIDAS BOLIVAR PERKINS."
"Well?" said Mrs.Markham impatiently, as Miss Keene remained motionless with the letter in her hand.
"It seems like a ridiculous nightmare! I can't understand it at all.The man that wrote this letter may be mad--but he is neither a pirate nor a thief--and yet"--"He a pirate?" echoed Mrs.Markham indignantly; "He's nothing of the kind! It's not even his FAULT!""Not his fault?" repeated Miss Keene; "are you mad, too?""No--nor a fool, my dear! Don't you see? It's all the fault of Banks and Brimmer for compromising the vessel: of that stupid, drunken captain for permitting it.Senor Perkins is a liberator, a patriot, who has periled himself and his country to treat us magnanimously.Don't you see it? It's like that Banks and that Mrs.Brimmer to call HIM a pirate! I've a good mind to give the Commander my opinion of THEM.""Hush!" said Miss Keene, with a sudden recollection of the Commander's suspicions, "for Heaven's sake; you do not know what you are saying.Look! they were talking with that strange man, and now they are coming this way."The Commander and his secretary approached them.They were both more than usually grave; but the look of inquiry and suspicion with which they regarded the two women was gone from their eyes.
"The Senor Comandante says you are free, Senoras, and begs you will only decide whether you will remain his guests or the guests of the Alcalde.But for the present he cannot allow you any communication with the prisoners of San Antonio.""There is further news?" said Miss Keene faintly, with a presentiment of worse complications.
"There is! A body from the Excelsior has been washed on shore."The two women turned pale.
"In the pocket of the murdered man is an accusation against one Senor Hurlstone, who was concealed on the ship; who came not ashore openly with the other passengers, but who escaped in secret, and is now hiding somewhere in Todos Santos.""And you suspect him of this infamous act?" said Eleanor, forgetting all prudence in her indignation."You are deceiving yourself.He is as innocent as I am!"The Commander and the secretary smiled sapiently, but gently.
"The Senor Comandante believes you, Dona Leonora: the Senor Hurlstone is innocent of the piracy.He is, of a surety, the leader of the Opposition."