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XV
ANTILLIA, THE ISLAND OF THE SEVEN CITIES
The young Spanish page, Luis de Vega, had been for some months at the court of Don Rodrigo, king of Spain, when he heard the old knights lamenting, as they came out of the palace at Toledo, over the king's last and most daring whim. "He means," said one of them in a whisper, "to penetrate the secret cave of the Gothic kings, that cave on which each successive sovereign has put a padlock,"
"Till there are now twenty-seven of them," interrupted a still older knight.
"And he means," said the first, frowning at the interruption, "to take thence the treasures of his ancestors."
"Indeed, he must do it," said another, "else the son of his ancestors will have no treasure left of his own."
"But there is a spell upon it," said the other.
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[paragraph continues] "For ages Spain has been threatened with invasion, and it is the old tradition that the only talisman which can prevent it is in this cave."
"Well," said the scoffer, "it is only by entering the cave that he can possess the talisman."
"But if he penetrates to it, his power is lost."
"A pretty talisman," said the other. "It is only of use to anybody so long as no one sees it. Were I the king I would hold it in my hands. And I have counselled him to heed no graybeards, but to seize the treasure for himself. I have offered to accompany him."
"May it please your lordship," said the eager Luis, "may I go with you?"
"Yes," said Don Alonzo de Carregas, turning to the ardent boy. "Where the king goes I go, and where I go thou shalt be my companion. See, señors," he said, turning to the others, "how the ready faith of boyhood puts your fears to shame. To his Majesty the terrors of this goblin cave are but a jest which frightens the old and only rouses the young to courage. The king may find the recesses of the cavern filled with gold and jewels; he
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