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Haggard, H. Rider (Henry Rider), 1856-1925

"Montezuma's Daughter"

Thither then I made up my
mind to follow him, consoling myself a little by the thought that at
least I should see new and wonderful countries, though how new and
wonderful they were I did not guess.

Now it remained for me to dispose of the wealth which had come to me
suddenly. While I was wondering how I could place it in safety till my
return, I heard by chance that the 'Adventuress' of Yarmouth, the same
ship in which I had come to Spain a year before, was again in the port
of Cadiz, and I bethought me that the best thing I could do with the
gold and other articles of value would be to ship them to England, there
to be held in trust for me. So having despatched a message to my friend
the captain of the 'Adventuress,' that I had freight of value for him, I
made my preparations to depart from Seville with such speed as I might,
and to this end I sold my benefactor's house, with many of the effects,
at a price much below their worth. The most of the books and plate,
together with some other articles, I kept, and packing them in cases,
I caused them to be transported down the river to Cadiz, to the care
of those same agents to whom I had received letters from the Yarmouth
merchants.
This being done I followed thither myself, taking the bulk of my fortune
with me in gold, which I hid artfully in numerous packages. And so it
came to pass that after a stay of a year in Seville, I turned my back on
it for ever.


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