byBretHarte
IfirstknewherastheQueenofthePirateIsle。Tothebestofmyrecollectionshehadnoreasonablerighttothattitle。Shewasonlynineyearsold，inclinedtoplumpnessandgoodhumor，deprecatedviolence，andhadneverbeentosea。NeeditbeaddedthatshedidNOTliveinanislandandthathernamewasPolly？
PerhapsIoughttoexplainthatshehadalreadyknownotherexperiencesofapurelyimaginativecharacter。PartofherexistencehadbeenpassedasaBeggarChild，——solelyindicatedbyashawltightlyfoldedroundhershoulders，andchills；asaSchoolmistress，unnecessarilysevere；asaPreacher，singularlypersonalinhisremarks，andonce，afterreadingoneofCooper’snovels，asanIndianMaiden。Thiswas，Ibelieve，theonlyinstancewhenshehadborrowedfromanother’sfiction。Mostofthecharactersthatsheassumedfordaysandsometimesweeksatatimewerepurelyoriginalinconception；somesomuchsoastobevaguetothegeneralunderstanding。IrememberthatherpersonationofacertainMrs。Smith，whoseindividualitywassupposedtobesufficientlyrepresentedbyasunbonnetwornwrongsidebeforeandaweeklyadditiontoherfamily，wasneverperfectlyappreciatedbyherowncirclealthoughshelivedthecharacterforamonth。
Anothercreationknownas\"TheProudLady\"——abeingwhoseexcessiveandunreasonablehaughtinesswassopronouncedastogiveherfeaturestheexpressionofextremenausea——causedhermothersomuchalarmthatithadtobeabandoned。Thiswaseasilyeffected。
TheProudLadywasunderstoodtohavedied。Indeed，mostofPolly’simpersonationsweregotridofinthisway，althoughitbynomeanspreventedtheirsubsequentreappearance。\"IthoughtMrs。
Smithwasdead，\"remonstratedhermotherattheposthumousappearanceofthatladywithanewinfant。\"Shewasburiedaliveandkemto！\"saidPollywithamelancholyair。Fortunately，therepresentationofaresuscitatedpersonrequiredsuchextraordinaryacting，andwas，throughsomeuncertaintyofconception，socloselyalliedinfacialexpressiontotheProudLady，thatMrs。Smithwasresuscitatedonlyforaday。
TheoriginofthetitleoftheQueenofthePirateIslemaybebrieflystatedasfollows：——
Anhourafterluncheon，oneday，Polly，HickoryHunt，hercousin，andWanLee，aChinesepage，werecrossingthenurseryfloorinaChinesejunk。Theseawascalmandtheskycloudless。Anychangeintheweatherwasasunexpectedasitisinbooks。SuddenlyaWestIndianHurricane，purelylocalincharacterandunfeltanywhereelse，struckMasterHickoryandthrewhimoverboard，whence，wildlyswimmingforhislifeandcarryingPollyonhisback，heeventuallyreachedaDesertIslandinthecloset。Heretherescuedpartyputupatentmadeofatable—clothprovidentiallysnatchedfromtheragingbillows，and，fromtwoo’clockuntilfour，passedsixweeksontheisland，supportedonlybyapieceofcandle，aboxofmatches，andtwopeppermintlozenges。ItwasatthistimethatitbecamenecessarytoaccountforPolly’sexistenceamongthem，andthiswasonlyeffectedbyanalarmingsacrificeoftheirmorality；HickoryandWanLeeinstantlybecamePIRATES，andatonceelectedPollyastheirQueen。Theroyalduties，whichseemedtobepurelymaternal，consistedinputtingthePiratestobedafteradayofrapineandbloodshed，andinfeedingthemwithlicoricewaterthroughaquillinasmallbottle。Limitedasherfunctionswere，Pollyperformedthemwithinimitablegravityandunquestionedsincerity。Evenwhenhercompanionssometimeshesitatedfromactualhungerorfatigueandforgottheirguiltypart，sheneverfaltered。
Itwasherrealexistence；herotherlifeofbeingwashed，dressed，andputtobedatcertainhoursbyhermotherwastheILLUSION。
Doubtandskepticismcameatlast，——andcamefromWanLee！WanLeeofallcreatures！WanLee，whosesilent，stolid，mechanicalperformanceofapirate’sduties——aperfectimitationlikeallhishouseholdwork——hadbeentheironedelightandfascination！
Itwasjustaftertheexcitingcaptureofamerchantman，withtheindiscriminateslaughterofallonboard，——aspectacleonwhichtheroundblueeyesoftheplumpPollyhadgazedwithroyalandmaternaltolerance，——andtheywereburyingthebooty，twotablespoonsandathimble，inthecornerofthecloset，whenWanLeestolidlyrose。
\"Melicanboypleentyfoolee！MelicanboynoPilat！\"saidthelittleChinaman，substituting\"l’s\"for\"r’s\"afterhisusualfashion。
\"Wotchersay？\"saidHickory，reddeningwithsuddenconfusion。
\"Melicanboy’spapaheaplickeehim——s’posehimlealPilat，\"
continuedWanLeedoggedly。\"MelicanboyPilatINSIDEhousee。
ChineeboyPilatOUTSIDEhousee。FirstchopPilat。\"
Staggeredbythishumiliatingstatement，Hickoryrecoveredhimselfincharacter。\"Ah！Ho！\"heshrieked，dancingwildlyononeleg，\"MutinyandSplordinashun！’Waywithhimtotheyard—arm。\"
\"Yald—alm——heapfoolee！Aleesameclothes—horseforwasheewashee。\"
ItwasherenecessaryforthePirateQueentoassertherauthority，which，asIhavebeforestated，wassomewhatconfusinglymaternal。
\"Gotobedinstantlywithoutyoursupper，\"shesaidseriously。
\"Really，Ineversawsuchbadpirates。Sayyourprayers，andseethatyou’reupearlytochurchtomorrow。\"
ItshouldbeexplainedthatindeferencetoPolly’sproficiencyasapreacher，andprobablyasarelieftotheiruneasyconsciences，DivineServicehadalwaysbeenheldontheIsland。ButWanLeecontinued：——
\"MenoshabbeePilatINSIDEhousee；meshabbeePilatOUTSIDE
housee。S’poseyoulunawaylongsideChineeboy——ChineeboymakeyouPilat。\"
Hickorysoftlyscratchedhisleg；whileabroad，bashfulsmilealmostclosedhissmalleyes。\"Wot？\"heasked。
\"Mebbeyoutooflightenedtolunaway。Melicanboy’spapaheaplickee。\"
Thislastinfamoussuggestionfiredthecorsair’sblood。\"Dy’arthinkwedaresen’t？\"saidHickorydesperately，butwithanuneasyglanceatPolly。\"I’llshowyerto—morrow。\"
TheentranceofPolly’smotheratthismomentputanendtoPolly’sauthorityanddispersedthepirateband，butleftWanLee’sproposalandHickory’srashacceptanceringingintheearsofthePirateQueen。Thateveningshewasunusuallysilent。ShewouldhavetakenBridget，hernurse，intoherconfidence，butthiswouldhaveinvolvedalongexplanationofherownfeelings，fromwhich，likeallimaginativechildren，sheshrank。She，however，madepreparationfortheproposedflightbysettlinginhermindwhichofhertwodollsshewouldtake。Awoodencreaturewitheasy—goingkneesandmovablehairseemedtobemorefitforhardserviceandanyindiscriminatescalpingthatmightturnuphereafter。Atsupper，shetimidlyaskedaquestionofBridget。\"Didyeeverheartheloikesuvthat，ma’am？\"saidtheIrishhandmaidwithaffectionatepride。\"Shurethedarlint’sheadisfillednoightanddaywithancienthistory。She’safteraskingmenowifQueenseverrunaway！\"ToPolly’sremorsefulconfusionherehergoodfather，equallyproudofherprecociousinterestandhisownknowledge，atonceinterferedwithanunintelligibleaccountoftheabdicationofvariousqueensinhistoryuntilPolly’sheadachedagain。Wellmeantasitwas，itonlysettledinthechild’smindthatshemustkeeptheawfulsecrettoherselfandthatnoonecouldunderstandher。
Theeventfuldaydawnedwithoutanyunusualsignofimportance。ItwasoneofthecloudlesssummerdaysoftheCalifornianfoothills，bright，dry，and，asthemorningadvanced，hotinthewhitesunshine。Theactual，prosaichouseinwhichthePiratesapparentlylivedwasamilefromaminingsettlementonabeautifulridgeofpinewoodsslopinggentlytowardsavalleyontheoneside，andontheotherfallingabruptlyintoadarkdeepolivegulfofpine—trees，rocks，andpatchesofredsoil。Beautifulastheslopewas，lookingovertothedistantsnowpeakswhichseemedtobeinanotherworldthantheirs，thechildrenfoundagreaterattractioninthefascinatingdepthsofamysteriousgulf，orcanyon，asitwascalled，whoseverynamefilledtheirearswithaweirdmusic。Tocreeptotheedgeofthecliff，tosituponthebrownbranchesofsomefallenpine，and，puttingasidethedriedtassels，tolookdownuponthebacksofwheelinghawksthatseemedtohanginmid—airwasanever—failingdelight。HerePollywouldtrytotracethewindingredribbonofroadthatwascontinuallylosingitselfamongthedensepinesoftheoppositemountains；hereshewouldlistentothefar—offstrokesofawoodman’saxe，ortherattleofsomeheavywagon，milesaway，crossingthepebblesofadried—upwatercourse。Here，too，theprevailingcolorsofthemountains，redandwhiteandgreen，mostshowedthemselves。Therewerenofrowningrockstodepressthechildren’sfancy，buteverywherealongtheridgepurewhitequartzbareditselfthroughtheredearthlikesmilingteeth；theverypebblestheyplayedwithwerestreakedwithshiningmicalikebitsoflooking—glass。Thedistancewasalwaysgreenandsummer—like，butthecolortheymostloved，andwhichwasmostfamiliartothem，wasthedarkredofthegroundbeneaththeirfeeteverywhere。Itshoweditselfintheroadsidebushes；itsreddustpervadedtheleavesoftheoverhanginglaurel；itcoloredtheirshoesandpinafores；IamafraiditwasoftenseeninIndian—likepatchesontheirfacesandhands。ThatitmayhaveoftengivenasanguinarytonetotheirfanciesIhaveeveryreasontobelieve。
Itwasonthisridgethatthethreechildrengatheredatteno’clockthatmorning。AnearlierflighthadbeenimpossibleonaccountofWanLeebeingobligedtoperformhisregulardutyofblackingtheshoesofPollyandHickorybeforebreakfast，——amenialactwhichinthepurerepublicofchildhoodwasneverthoughtinconsistentwiththeloftiestpiraticalambition。Ontheridgetheymetone\"Patsey，\"thesonofaneighbor，sun—burned，broad—
brimmedhatted，red—handed，likethemselves。AstherewereafterwardssomedoubtsexpressedwhetherhejoinedthePiratesofhisownfreewill，orwascapturedbythem，Iendeavortogivethecolloquyexactlyasitoccurred：——
Patsey：\"Hallo，fellers。\"
ThePirates：\"Hello！\"
Patsey：\"Goin’tohuntbars？Dadseedaloto’tracksatsun—up。\"
ThePirates（hesitating）：\"No——o——\"
Patsey：\"Iam；knowwhereIkingetasix—shooter？\"
ThePirates（almostreadytoabandonpiracyforbear—hunting，butpreservingtheirdignity）：\"Can’t！We’verunn’dawayforrealpirates。\"
Patsey：\"Notforgood！\"
TheQueen（interposingwithsaddignityandrealtearsinherroundblueeyes）：\"Yes！\"（slowlyandshakingherhead）。\"Can’tgobackagain。Never！Never！Never！The——the——eyeiscast！\"
Patsey（burstingwithexcitement）：\"No—o！Sho’o！Wanterknow。\"
ThePirates（alittlefrightenedthemselves，buttremulouswithgratifiedvanity）：\"ThePerleeseisonourtrack！\"
Patsey：\"Lemmegowithyer！\"
Hickory：\"Wot’llyergiv？\"
Patsey：\"Pistolanderbananer。\"
Hickory（withjudiciousprudence）：\"Let’ssee’em。\"
Patseywasofflikeashot；hisbarelittleredfeettremblingunderhim。Inafewminuteshereturnedwithanold—fashionedrevolverknownasoneof\"Allen’spepper—boxes\"andalargebanana。
Hewasatonceenrolled，andthebananaeaten。
Asyettheyhadresolvedonnodefinitenefariousplan。Hickory，lookingdownatPatsey’sbarefeet，instantlytookoffhisownshoes。Thisboldactsentathrillthroughhiscompanions。WanLeetookoffhisclothleggings，Pollyremovedhershoesandstockings，but，withroyalforesight，tiedthemupinherhandkerchief。Thelastlinkbetweenthemandcivilizationwasbroken。
\"Let’sgototheSlumgullion。\"
\"Slumgullion\"wasthenamegivenbytheminerstoacertainsoft，half—liquidmud，formedofthewaterandfinelypowderedearththatwascarriedoffbythesluice—boxesduringgold—washing，andeventuallycollectedinabroadpoolorlagoonbeforetheoutlet。
Therewasapoolofthiskindaquarterofamileaway，wheretherewere\"diggings\"workedbyPatsey’sfather，andthithertheyproceededalongtheridgeinsinglefile。Whenitwasreachedtheysolemnlybegantowadeinitsviscidpaint—likeshallows。Possiblyitsunctuousnesswaspleasanttothetouch；possiblytherewasafascinationinthefactthattheirparentshadforbiddenthemtogonearit，butprobablytheprincipalobjectofthisperformancewastoproduceathickcoatingofmudonthefeetandankles，which，whendriedinthesun，wassupposedtohardentheskinandrendertheirshoessuperfluous。Itwasalsofelttobethefirstrealsteptowardsindependence；theylookeddownattheirensanguinedextremitiesandrecognizedtheimpossibilityoftheireveragaincrossing（unwashed）thefamilythreshold。
Thentheyagainhesitated。Therewasamanifestneedofsomewell—definedpiraticalpurpose。Thelastactwasrecklessandirretrievable，butitwasvague。Theygazedateachother。TherewasastolidlookofresignedandsuperiortoleranceinWanLee’seyes。
Polly’sglancewandereddownthesideoftheslopetothedistantlittletunnelsoropeningsmadebytheminerswhowereatworkinthebowelsofthemountain。\"I’dliketogointooneofthemfunnyholes，\"shesaidtoherself，halfaloud。
WanLeesuddenlybegantoblinkhiseyeswithunwontedexcitement。
\"Catcheetunnel——heapgold，\"hesaidquickly。\"Whenmaneecomeoutsidetocatcheedinner——Pilatsgoinsidecatcheetunnel！
Shabbee！PilatscatcheegoldalleesameeMelicanman！\"
\"Andtakeperseshiun，\"saidHickory。
\"AndhoistthePirateflag，\"saidPatsey。
\"Andbuildafire，andcook，andhaveafamily，\"saidPolly。
Theideawasfascinatingtothepointofbeingirresistible。Theeyesofthefourchildrenbecamerounderandrounder。Theyseizedeachother’shandsandswungthembackwardsandforwards，occasionallyliftingtheirlegsinasolemnrhythmicmovementknownonlytochildhood。
\"It’sorfulfaroff！\"saidPatseywithasuddenlookofdarkimportance。\"Papsaysit’sfreemilesontheroad。Takealldaytergetthere。\"
Thebrightfaceswereovercast。
\"Lessgodownerslide！\"saidHickoryboldly。
Theyapproachedtheedgeofthecliff。The\"slide\"wassimplyasharpinclinezigzaggingdownthesideofthemountainusedforslidinggoodsandprovisionsfromthesummittothetunnel—menatthedifferentopeningsbelow。Thecontinualtraffichadgraduallywornashallowgullyhalffilledwithearthandgravelintothefaceofthemountainwhichcheckedthemomentumofthegoodsintheirdownwardpassage，butaffordednofootholdforapedestrian。
Noonehadeverbeenknowntodescendaslide。ThatfeatwasevidentlyreservedforthePirateband。Theyapproachedtheedgeoftheslide，handinhand，hesitated，andthenextmomentdisappeared。
Fiveminuteslaterthetunnel—menoftheExcelsiormine，amilebelow，takingtheirluncheonontherudeplatformofdebrisbeforetheirtunnel，weresuddenlydriventoshelterinthetunnelfromanapparentrainofstones，androcks，andpebbles，fromthecliffsabove。Lookingup，theywerestartledatseeingfourroundobjectsrevolvingandboundinginthedustoftheslide，whicheventuallyresolvedthemselvesintothreeboysandagirl。Foramomentthegoodmenheldtheirbreathinhelplessterror。Twiceoneofthechildrenhadstrucktheouteredgeofthebank，anddisplacedstonesthatshotathousandfeetdownintothedizzydepthsofthevalley；andnowoneofthem，thegirl，hadactuallyrolledoutoftheslideandwashangingoverthechasmsupportedonlybyaclumpofchamisaltowhichsheclung！
\"Hangonbyyoureyelids，sis！butdon’tstir，forHeaven’ssake！\"
shoutedoneofthemen，astwoothersstartedonahopelessascentofthecliffabovethem。
Butalightchildishlaughfromtheclinginglittlefigureseemedtomockthem！Thentwosmallheadsappearedattheedgeoftheslide；thenadiminutivefigure，whosefeetwereapparentlyheldbysomeinvisiblecompanion，wasshovedoverthebrinkandstretcheditstinyarmstowardsthegirl。Butinvain，thedistancewastoogreat。Anotherlaughofintenseyouthfulenjoymentfollowedthefailure，andanewinsecuritywasaddedtothesituationbytheunsteadyhandsandshouldersoftherelievingparty，whowereapparentlyshakingwithlaughter。Thentheextendedfigurewasseentodetachwhatlookedlikeasmallblackropefromitsshouldersandthrowittothegirl。Therewasanotherlittlegiggle。Thefacesofthemenbelowpaledinterror。ThenPolly，——
foritwasshe，——hangingtothelongpigtailofWanLee，wasdrawnwithfitsoflaughterbackinsafetytotheslide。Theirchildishtrebleofappreciationwasansweredbyaringingcheerfrombelow。
\"DarnedefIeverwanttocutoffaChinaman’spigtailagain，boys，\"saidoneofthetunnel—menashewentbacktodinner。
Meantimethechildrenhadreachedthegoalandstoodbeforetheopeningofoneofthetunnels。Thenthesefourheroeswhohadlookedwithcheerfullevityonthedeadlyperiloftheirdescentbecamesuddenlyfrightenedatthemysteriousdarknessofthecavernandturnedpaleatitsthreshold。
\"MebbeeawickedJossbacksideholee，hecatcheePilats，\"saidWanLeegravely。
Hickorybegantowhimper，Patseydrewback，Pollyalonestoodherground，albeitwithatremblinglip。
\"Let’ssayourprayersandfrightenitaway，\"shesaidstoutly。
\"No！no！\"saidWanLee，withasuddenalarm。\"NofrightenSpillits！Youwaitee！ChineeboyhetalkeeSpillitnottofrightenyou。\"*
*TheChinesepraydevoutlytotheEvilSpiritsNOTtoinjurethem。
Tuckinghishandsunderhisblueblouse，WanLeesuddenlyproducedfromsomemysteriousrecessofhisclothingaquantityofredpaperslipswhichhescatteredattheentranceofthecavern。Thendrawingfromthesameinexhaustiblereceptaclecertainsquibsorfireworks，heletthemoffandthrewthemintotheopening。Theretheywentoffwithaslightfizzandsplutter，amomentaryglitteringofsmallpointsinthedarkness，andastrongsmellofgunpowder。Pollygazedatthespectaclewithundisguisedaweandfascination。HickoryandPatseybreathedhardwithsatisfaction：
itwasbeyondtheirwildestdreamsofmysteryandromance。EvenWanLeeappearedtransfiguredintoasuperiorbeingbythepotencyofhisownspells。Butanunaccountabledisturbanceofsomekindinthediminteriorofthetunnelquicklydrewthebloodfromtheirblanchedcheeksagain。Itwasasoundlikecoughing，followedbysomethinglikeanoath。
\"He’smadetheEvilSpiritorfulsick，\"saidHickoryinaloudwhisper。
Aslightlaugh，thattothechildrenseemeddemoniacal，followed。
\"See！\"saidWanLee。\"EvilSpillethelikeeChinee；trytalkeehim。\"
ThePirateslookedatWanLee，notwithoutacertainenvyofthismanifestfavoritism。Afearfuldesiretocontinuetheirawfulexperiments，insteadofpursuingtheirpiraticalavocations，wastakingpossessionofthem；butPolly，withoneoftheswifttransitionsofchildhood，immediatelybegantoextemporizeahouseforthepartyatthemouthofthetunnel，and，withparentalforesight，gatheredthefragmentsofthesquibstobuildafireforsupper。Thatfrugalmeal，consistingofhalfagingerbiscuitdividedintofivesmallportions，eachservedonachipofwood，andhavingadeliciouslymysteriousflavorofgunpowderandsmoke，wassoonover。Itwasnecessaryafterthisthatthepiratesshouldatonceseekreposeafteradayofadventure，whichtheydidforthespaceoffortysecondsinsingularlyimpossibleattitudesandfartooaggressivesnoring。Indeed，MasterHickory’salmostuprightpose，withtightlyfoldedarmsanddarklyfrowningbrows，wasfelttobedramatic，butimpossibleforalongerperiod。ThebriefintervalenabledPollytocollectherselfandtolookaroundherinherusualmotherlyfashion。Suddenlyshestartedandutteredacry。Intheexcitementofthedescentshehadquiteoverlookedherdoll，andwasnowregardingitwithround—eyedhorror。
\"LadyMary’shair’sgone！\"shecried，convulsivelygraspingthePirateHickory’slegs。
HickoryatoncerecognizedthebattereddollunderthearistocratictitlewhichPollyhadlongagobestoweduponit。Hestaredatthebaldandbatteredhead。
\"Ha！ha！\"hesaidhoarsely；\"skelpedbyInjins！\"
ForaninstantthedelicioussuggestionsoothedtheimaginativePolly。ButitwasquicklydispelledbyWanLee。
\"LadyMaley’spigtailhangeetopsidehillee。CatcheeonbigquartzstonealleesamePolly；megofetchee。\"
\"No！\"quicklyshriekedtheothers。TheprospectofbeingleftintheproximityofWanLee’sevilspirit，withoutWanLee’sexorcisingpower，wasanythingbutreassuring。\"No，don’tgo！\"
EvenPolly（droppingamaternaltearonthebaldheadofLadyMary）
protestedagainstthisbreakingupofthelittlecircle。\"Gotobed！\"shesaidauthoritatively，\"andsleeptillmorning。\"
Thusadmonished，thePiratesagainretired。Thistimeeffectively；
for，wornbyactualfatigueorsoothedbythedeliciouscoolnessofthecave，theygradually，onebyone，succumbedtorealslumber。
Polly，withheldfromjoiningthembyofficialandmaternalresponsibility，satandblinkedatthemaffectionately。
Graduallyshe，too，feltherselfyieldingtothefascinationandmysteryoftheplaceandthesolitudethatencompassedher。Beyondthepleasantshadowswhereshesat，shesawthegreatworldofmountainandvalleythroughadreamyhazethatseemedtorisefromthedepthsbelowandoccasionallyhangbeforethecavernlikeaveil。Longwavesofspicyheatrollingupthemountainfromthevalleybroughtherthesmellofpine—treesandbay，andmadethelandscapeswimbeforehereyes。Shecouldhearthefar—offcryofteamstersonsomeunseenroad；shecouldseethefar—offcloudofdustfollowingthemountainstagecoach，whoserattlingwheelsshecouldnothear。Shefeltverylonely，butwasnotquiteafraid；
shefeltverymelancholy，butwasnotentirelysad；andshecouldhaveeasilyawakenedhersleepingcompanionsifshewished。
No；shewasalonewidowwithninechildren，sixofwhomwerealreadyinthelonechurchyardonthehill，andtheotherslyingillwithmeaslesandscarletfeverbesideher。Shehadjustwalkedmanywearymilesthatday，andhadoftenbeggedfromdoortodoorforasliceofbreadforthestarvinglittleones。Itwasofnousenow——theywoulddie！Theywouldneverseetheirdearmotheragain。ThiswasafavoriteimaginativesituationofPolly’s，butonlyindulgedwhenhercompanionswereasleep，partlybecauseshecouldnottrustconfederateswithhermoreseriousfancies，andpartlybecausetheywereatsuchtimespassiveinherhands。Sheglancedtimidlyaround。Satisfiedthatnoonecouldobserveher，shesoftlyvisitedthebedsideofeachofhercompanions，andadministeredfromapurelyfictitiousbottlespoonfulsofinvisiblemedicine。Physicalcorrectionintheformofslighttaps，whichtheyalwaysrequired，andinwhichPollywasstrong，wasonlywithheldnowfromasenseoftheirweakcondition。Butinvain；
theysuccumbedtothefelldisease，——theyalwaysdiedatthisjuncture，——andPollywasleftalone。Shethoughtofthelittlechurchwhereshehadonceseenafuneral，andrememberedthenicesmelloftheflowers；shedweltwithmelancholysatisfactionoftheninelittletombstonesinthegraveyard，eachwithaninscription，andlookedforwardwithgentleanticipationtothelongsummerdayswhen，withLadyMaryinherlap，shewouldsitonthosegravescladinthedeepestmourning。Thefactthattheunhappyvictimsattimesmovedasitwereuneasilyintheirgraves，orsnored，didnotaffectPolly’simaginativecontemplation，norwithholdthetearsthatgatheredinherroundeyes。
Presently，thelidsoftheroundeyesbegantodroop，thelandscapebeyondbegantobemoreconfused，andsometimestodisappearentirelyandreappearagainwithstartlingdistinctness。Thenasoundofripplingwaterfromthelittlestreamthatflowedfromthemouthofthetunnelsoothedherandseemedtocarryherawaywithit，andtheneverythingwasdark。
Thenextthingthatsherememberedwasthatshewasapparentlybeingcarriedalongonsomeglidingobjecttothesoundofripplingwater。Shewasnotalone，forherthreecompanionswerelyingbesideher，rathertightlypackedandsqueezedinthesamemysteriousvehicle。Evenintheprofounddarknessthatsurroundedher，Pollycouldfeelandhearthattheywereaccompanied，andonceortwiceafaintstreakoflightfromthesideofthetunnelshowedhergiganticshadowswalkingslowlyoneithersideoftheglidingcar。Shefeltthelittlehandsofherassociatesseekinghers，andknewtheywereawakeandconscious，andshereturnedtoeachareassuringpressurefromthelargeprotectinginstinctofhermaternallittleheart。Presentlythecarglidedintoanopenspaceofbrightlight，andstopped。Thetransitionfromthedarknessofthetunnelatfirstdazzledtheireyes。Itwaslikeadream。
Theywereinacircularcavernfromwhichthreeothertunnels，liketheonetheyhadpassedthrough，diverged。Thewalls，litupbyfiftyorsixtycandlesstuckatirregularintervalsincrevicesoftherock，wereofglitteringquartzandmica。Butmoreremarkablethanallweretheinmatesofthecavern，whowererangedroundthewalls，——menwho，liketheirattendants，seemedtobeofextrastature；whohadblackenedfaces，woreredbandanahandkerchiefsroundtheirheadsandtheirwaists，andcarriedenormousknivesandpistolsstuckintheirbelts。Onaraisedplatformmadeofapacking—boxonwhichwasrudelypaintedaskullandcross—bones，satthechieforleaderofthebandcoveredwithabuffalorobe；oneithersideofhimweretwosmallbarrelsmarked\"Grog\"and\"Gunpowder。\"ThechildrenstaredandclungclosertoPolly。Yet，inspiteofthesedesperateandwarlikeaccessories，thestrangersboreasingularresemblanceto\"ChristyMinstrels\"intheirblackenedfacesandattitudesthatsomehowmadethemseemlessawful。Inparticular，Pollywasimpressedwiththefactthateventhemostferocioushadacertainkindlinessofeye，andshowedtheirteethalmostidiotically。
\"Welcome！\"saidtheleader，——\"welcometothePirates’Cave！TheRedRoveroftheNorthForkoftheStanislausRiversalutestheQueenofthePirateIsle！\"Heroseupandmadeanextraordinarybow。Itwasrepeatedbytheotherswithmoreorlessexaggeration，tothepointofonehumoristlosinghisbalance！
\"Oh，thankyouverymuch，\"saidPollytimidly，butdrawingherlittleflockclosertoherwithasmallprotectingarm；\"butcouldyou——wouldyou——please——tellus——whattimeitis？\"
\"WeareapproachingthemiddleofNextWeek，\"saidtheleadergravely；\"butwhatofthat？Timeismadeforslaves！TheRedRoverseeksitnot！WhyshouldtheQueen？\"
\"Ithinkwemustbegoing，\"hesitatedPolly，yetbynomeansdispleasedwiththerecognitionofherrank。
\"NotuntilwehavepaidhomagetoYourMajesty，\"returnedtheleader。\"Whatho！there！LetBrotherStep—and—Fetch—ItpasstheQueenaroundthatwemaydoherhonor。\"ObservingthatPollyshrankslightlyback，headded：\"Fearnothing；themanwhohurtsahairofHerMajesty’sheaddiesbythishand。Ah！ha！\"
Theothersallsaidha！ha！anddancedalternatelyononelegandthenontheother，butalwayswiththesamedarkresemblancetoChristyMinstrels。BrotherStep—and—Fetch—It，whoseverylongbeardhadaconfusingsuggestionofbeingapartoftheleader’sbuffalorobe，liftedhergentlyinhisarmsandcarriedhertotheRedRoversinturn。Eachonebestowedakissuponhercheekorforehead，andwouldhavetakenherinhisarms，oronhisknees，orotherwiselingeredoverhissalute，buttheyweresternlyrestrainedbytheirleader。Whenthesolemnritewasconcluded，Step—and—Fetch—Itpaidhisowncourtesywithanextrasqueezeofthecurlyhead，anddepositedheragaininthetruck，alittlefrightened，alittleastonished，butwithaconsiderableaccessiontoherdignity。HickoryandPatseylookedonwithstupefiedamazement。WanLeealoneremainedstolidandunimpressed，regardingthescenewithcalmandtriangulareyes。
\"WillYourMajestyseetheRedRoversdance？\"
\"No，ifyouplease，\"saidPolly，withgentleseriousness。
\"WillYourMajestyfirethisbarrelofgunpowder，ortapthisbreakerofgrog？\"
\"No，Ithankyou。\"
\"IstherenocommandYourMajestywouldlayuponus？\"
\"No，please，\"saidPolly，inafailingvoice。
\"IsthereanythingYourMajestyhaslost？Thinkagain！WillYourMajestydeigntocastyourroyaleyesonthis？\"
Hedrewfromunderhisbuffalorobewhatseemedlikealongtressofblondhair，andhelditaloft。Pollyinstantlyrecognizedthemissingscalpofherhaplessdoll。
\"Ifyouplease，sir，it’sLadyMary’s。She’slostit。\"
\"Andlostit——YourMajesty——onlytofindsomethingmoreprecious。
WouldYourMajestyhearthestory？\"
Alittlealarmed，alittlecurious，alittleself—anxious，andalittleinducedbythenudgesandpinchesofhercompanions，theQueenblushinglysignifiedherroyalassent。
\"Enough。Bringrefreshments。WillYourMajestypreferwintergreen，peppermint，rose，oracidulateddrops？Redorwhite？OrperhapsYourMajestywillletmerecommendthesebull’s—eyes，\"saidtheleader，asacollectionofsweetsinahatweresuddenlyproducedfromthebarrellabeled\"Gunpowder\"andhandedtothechildren。
\"Listen，\"hecontinued，inasilencebrokenonlybythegentlesuckingofbull’s—eyes。\"ManyyearsagotheoldRedRoversofthesepartslockedupalltheirtreasuresinasecretcaverninthismountain。Theyusedspellsandmagictokeepitfrombeingenteredorfoundbyanybody，fortherewasacertainmarkuponitmadebyapeculiarrockthatstuckoutofit，whichsignifiedwhattherewasbelow。Longafterwards，otherRedRoverswhohadheardofitcamehereandspentdaysanddaystryingtodiscoverit，diggingholesandblastingtunnelslikethis，butofnouse！
Sometimestheythoughttheydiscoveredthemagicmarksinthepeculiarrockthatstuckoutofit，butwhentheydugtheretheyfoundnotreasure。Andwhy？Becausetherewasamagicspelluponit。Andwhatwasthatmagicspell？Why，this！Itcouldonlybediscoveredbyapersonwhocouldnotpossiblyknowthatheorshehaddiscoveredit；whonevercouldorwouldbeabletoenjoyit；
whocouldneverseeit，neverfeelit，never，infact，knowanythingatallaboutit！Itwasn’tadeadman，itwasn’tananimal，itwasn’tababy！\"
\"Why，\"saidPolly，jumpingupandclappingherhands，\"itwasaDolly。\"
\"YourMajesty’sheadislevel！YourMajestyhasguessedit！\"saidtheleader，gravely。\"ItwasYourMajesty’sowndolly，LadyMary，whobrokethespell！WhenYourMajestycamedowntheslide，thedollfellfromyourgracioushandwhenyourfootslipped。YourMajestyrecoveredLadyMary，butdidnotobservethatherhairhadcaughtinapeculiarrock，calledthe’Outcrop，’andremainedbehind！When，lateron，whilesittingwithyourattendantsatthemouthofthetunnel，YourMajestydiscoveredthatLadyMary’shairwasgone，IoverheardYourMajesty，anddispatchedthetrustyStep—
and—Fetch—Ittoseekitatthemountainside。Hedidso，andfounditclingingtotherock，andbeneathit——theentrancetotheSecretCave！\"
PatseyandHickory，who，failingtounderstandawordofthisexplanation，hadgiventhemselvesuptotheunconstrainedenjoymentofthesweets，begannowtoapprehendthatsomechangewasimpending，andpreparedfortheworstbyhastilyswallowingwhattheyhadintheirmouths，thusdefyingenchantment，andgettingreadyforspeech。Polly，whohadcloselyfollowedthestory，albeitwiththeembellishmentsofherownimagination，madehereyesrounderthanever。AblandsmilebrokeonWanLee’sface，astothechildren’samazement，hequietlydisengagedhimselffromthegroupandsteppedbeforetheleader。
\"MelicanmanplentyfooleeMelicanchillern。NofooleeChinaboy！
Chinaboyknoweeyou。YOUnoLedLofer。YOUnoPilat——youalleesametunnel—man——youBobJohnson！Meshabbeeyou！YoudresseeupalleesameasLedLofer——butyouBobJohnson——alleesame。Myfaderwasheewasheeforyou。Younopayeehim。Youoweehimfoltydolla！Meblingeeyoubillee。Younopayeebillee！Yousay，’Chalkeeup，John。’Yousay，’Bimeby，John。’Butmenocatcheefoltydolla！\"
Aroaroflaughterfollowed，inwhicheventheleaderapparentlyforgothimselfenoughtojoin。Butthenextmomentspringingtohisfeetheshouted，\"Ho！ho！Atraitor！Awaywithhimtothedeepestdungeonbeneaththecastlemoat！\"
HickoryandPatseybegantowhimper，butPolly，albeitwithatremulouslip，steppedtothesideofherlittlePaganfriend。
\"Don’tyoudaretouchhim，\"shesaidwithashakeofunexpecteddeterminationinherlittlecurlyhead；\"ifyoudo，I’lltellmyfather，andhewillslayyou！Allofyou——there！\"
\"Yourfather！ThenyouareNOTtheQueen！\"
ItwasasorestruggletoPollytoabdicateherroyalposition；itwashardertodoitwithbefittingdignity。Toevadethedirectquestionshewasobligedtoabandonherdefiantattitude。\"Ifyouplease，sir，\"shesaidhurriedly，withanincreasingcolorandnostops，\"we’renotalwaysPirates，youknow，andWanLeeisonlyourboywhatbrushesmyshoesinthemorning，andrunsoferrands，andhedoesn’tmeananythingbad，sir，andwe’dliketotakehimbackhomewithus。\"
\"Enough，\"saidtheleader，changinghisentiremannerwiththemostsuddenandshamelessinconsistency。\"Youshallgobacktogether，andwoebetidethemiscreantwhowouldpreventit！Whatsayyou，brothers？WhatshallbehisfatewhodarestoseparateournobleQueenfromherfaithfulChinesehenchman？\"
\"Heshalldie！\"roaredtheothers，withbeamingcheerfulness。
\"Andwhatsayyou——shallweseethemhome？\"
\"Wewill！\"roaredtheothers。
Beforethechildrencouldfairlycomprehendwhathadpassed，theywereagainliftedintothetruckandbegantoglidebackintothetunneltheyhadjustquitted。Butnotagainindarknessandsilence；theentirebandofRedroversaccompaniedthem，illuminatingthedarkpassagewiththecandlestheyhadsnatchedfromthewalls。Inafewmomentstheywereattheentranceagain。
Thegreatworldlaybeyondthemoncemorewithrocksandvalleyssuffusedbytherosylightofthesettingsun。Thepastseemedlikeadream。
Butweretheyreallyawakenow？Theycouldnottell。Theyacceptedeverythingwiththeconfidenceandcredulityofallchildrenwhohavenoexperiencetocomparewiththeirfirstimpressionsandtowhomthefuturecontainsnothingimpossible。Itwaswithoutsurprise，therefore，thattheyfeltthemselvesliftedontheshouldersofthemenwhoweremakingquiteaprocessionalongthesteeptrailtowardsthesettlementagain。Pollynoticedthatatthemouthoftheothertunnelstheyweregreetedbymenasiftheywerecarryingtidingsofgreatjoy；thattheystoppedtorejoicetogether，andthatinsomemysteriousmannertheirconductorshadgottheirfaceswashed，andhadbecomemorelikebeingsoftheouterworld。Whentheynearedthesettlementtheexcitementseemedtohavebecomegreater；peoplerushedouttoshakehandswiththemenwhowerecarryingthem，andoverpoweredeventhechildrenwithquestionstheycouldnotunderstand。OnlyonesentencePollycouldclearlyrememberasbeingtheburdenofallcongratulations。\"Strucktheoldleadatlast！\"Withafaintconsciousnessthatsheknewsomethingaboutit，shetriedtoassumeadignifiedattitudeontheleader’sshoulders，evenwhileshewasbeginningtobeheavywithsleep。
Andthensherememberedacrowdnearherfather’shouse，outofwhichherfathercamesmilingpleasantlyonher，butnotinterferingwithhertriumphalprogressuntiltheleaderfinallydepositedherinhermother’slapintheirownsitting—room。Andthensherememberedbeing\"cross，\"anddecliningtoansweranyquestions，andshortlyafterwardsfoundherselfcomfortablyinbed。
Thensheheardhermothersaytoherfather：——
\"Itreallyseemstooridiculousforanything，John；theideaofthosegrownmendressingthemselvesuptoplaywithchildren。\"
\"Ridiculousornot，\"saidherfather，\"thesegrownmenoftheExcelsiorminehavejuststruckthefamousoldlodeofRedMountain，whichisasgoodasafortunetoeverybodyontheRidge，andwereaswildasboys！AndtheysayitneverwouldhavebeenfoundifPollyhadn’ttumbledovertheslidedirectlyontopoftheoutcrop，andlefttheabsurdwigofthatwretcheddollofherstomarkitssite。\"
\"Andthat，\"murmuredPollysleepilytoherdollasshedrewitclosertoherbreast，\"isallthattheyknowofit。\"