Page:Iracéma, the honey-lips (1886).djvu/37

They paced side by side, like two fawns who at the sunset hour return through the wood to their nighting-place, whence the scent of suspicion is borne by the breeze. When they reached the Joazeiros, they saw Cauby crossing beyond them, his broad shoulders bending under the weight of his chase. Iraçéma went to meet him.

The stranger entered the wigwam alone.

The morning sleep weighed down the eyelids of the Pagé like the fair-weather mists hang at daybreak over the deep caverns in the mountain-side. Martim hesitated, but the sound of his step reached the old man՚s ear and startled his decrepit frame.

"Araken sleeps!" murmured the warrior, slackening his pace.

The venerable Pagé remained motionless.

"The Pagé slumbers because Tupan hath turned his face to the Earth, and the Light hath frightened away the evil spirits of Darkness. But sleep sits lightly on the eyes of Araken, like the smoke of the Sapé-grass^[1] on the top of the Serra. If the stranger came to see the Pagé, speak ; his ears are open."

"The guest came to tell Araken that he is about to go forth."

"The stranger is Lord in the wigwam of Araken ; all the roads are open to him. May Tupan guide him to the Taba of his race."

Cauby and Iraçéma came up.

Cauby has returned," said the Tabajára brave. "He brings to Araken the best of his game."