José — page 235: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

228 JOSE. at that stage had to be administered at midnight and during the decline of the moon, I heard the Indians about me say, and I almost admired the manner in which she contrived to avoid me. From that time until we reached the Apache village, where the women and children crowded. around to inspect the spoils and the prisoners, I failed to obtain even a glance of her face; she was then, after a few minutes led away after the chief. I was placed in charge of two guards and permitted to walk about without hindrance, listening to the con- versation of the Indians, chiefly carried on in Span- ish, and involving nothing else than the prospective early departure of the chief. Soon, along the entire village, fires were lighted for the preparation of a barbecue, and I had just been directed to sit down at one of these, when Jose suddenly pushed through the crowd and hurriedly approached me. ““lam going away. Mr. Green, but will not leave this time without bidding you farewell, for, God willing, this is certainly the last time we meet,’ she said, visibly excited and reaching out her hand to me. ‘lam going with Strong Bear, who at present is so weak that he imagines he cannot dispense with me—and it is well so.’ “T gazed into her wonderful eyes that, dark as in- finite space, regarded me, and the sudden announce- ment fell upon my heart witha stress as though now for the first time, I should be deprived of all that imparted to my life the worth of possession. I held her hand tightly clasped. But I could not speak at once. She looked at me attentively; her eyes brightened. ““It is forever!’ cried she, suddenly, throwing her arms about my neck. I felt her lips upon my Eomicbooks: co im