Page:Edward Prime-Stevenson - The Intersexes.djvu/402

the chapter "Chumming with a Savage:"

"… I knew I was to have an experience with this young scion of a race of chiefs. Sure enough I have had it. He continued to regard me steadily, without embarrasment. He seated himself before me; I felt myself at the mercy of those questioning eyes. This sage inquirer was perhaps sixteen years of age I saw a round, full, rather girlish face; lips ripe and expressive, not quite so sensual as those of most of his race; not a bad nose, by any means; eyes perfectly glorious,—regular almonds—with the mythical "lashes that sweep," etc., etc. The smile which presently'transfigured his face, was of the nature that flatters you into submission against your will."

"Having weighed me in his balance—and you may be sure his instincts didn't cheat him—they don't do that sort of thing—he placed his two hands on my knees and declared, "I was his best friend, as he was mine; I must come at once to his house, and there live, always, with him." What could I do but go?… This was our little plan—an entirely private arrangement between Kána-Aná and myself. I was to leave, with the Doctor, in an hour; but at the expiration of a week, we should return hither; then I would stop with Kána-Aná, and the Doctor would go his ways."

"There was an immense amount of secrecy and many vows, and I was almost crying, when the Doctor hurried me up that terrible precipice, and we lost sight of the beautiful valley. Kána-Aná swore he would watch continually for my return, and I vowed I'd hurry back, and so we parted. Looking down from the heights, I thought, I could distinguish his white garment; at any rate I knew the little fellow was somewhere about, feeling as miserably as I felt—and nobody has any business to feel worse. How many times I thought of him through that week! I was always wondering if he still thought of me. I had found those natives to be impulsive, demonstrative, and—I feared—inconstant. Yet why should he forget me,—having so little to remember in his idle life, while I could still think of him, and put aside a hundred pleasant memories for his sake? I often wondered if I should ever again behold such a series of valleys, hills, and highlands, in so small a compass. That land is a world in minature, the dearest spot of which to me was that secluded valley, for there was a young soul watching for my return."

"That was rather a slow week for me; but it ended finally. And just at sunset, on the day appointed, the Doctor and I found

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