Crawfordsville Weekly Journal, Crawfordsville, Montgomery County, 15 July 1898 — Page 7

'THE PEOPLE OF THE MIST.

-C'-',V

By H. BIDES HAQQ^tD.

[OoDyrleht. 1803. by the Aathor.]

His voice awoko the audience, as it were, nml instantly thero arose a babel of sounds that rent the very skies. "His daughter! He says that she'is his daughter! Nam owns his crimes!" yelled some.. ''Away with the false gods!" shouted others. "Touen them not! They are true gods and will bring a curse upon us!" answered a third party, among whom Leonard recognized the voice of Olfan. And so the tumult went on. For a lull ten minutes it raged till the exhaustion of those that caused it brought it to an end, and Juanna, who all this while sat silent as some lovely marble statue, became aware that the spokesman of the elders was once more addressing the multitude.

People of the Mist," he said, '"hold your peace and hearken to me. We have been chosen judges of this matter, and now, having consulted together, we will give judgment, and you shall be bound by it. As to whether these who are named Aca and Jal bo trite gods or false we say no wont, but if they be false, gods then surely Nam is guilty with them."

Here a shout of assent, burst from the audience, and Leonard, watching the high priest, saw him tremble.

A el they have told us by the month of her who sits before you that it is because of our offenses that the sun has ceased to shine at their command. Therefore at their command it can be made to shine. Then let them give up this sign or let them die, if indeed they are mortal, for if they are not monal we cannot kill them, and this shall bo the sign which they must give: If tomorrow at the dawn the mists have vanished and the sun shines red and clear on the snows ol yonder mountain, then it is well, and we will worship them, but if the morning is cold and mist laden then, true gods or false, we will hurl them from the head of the statue into the pit of the snake, there to be dealt with by the snake or to deal with him as it'may chance. That is our judgment, People of the Mist, and Nam shall carry it out, if need be, for ho shall keep his power and his place until all these wonders are made clear, and then he shall himself bo judged according to their issue."

Now the great mass of the people cried aloud that this was a wise and just saving, but others were silent, for though they did not agree with it they dared nor dispute the judgment. Then Juanna rose and said: "We have heard your words, and wo will withdraw to consider them, and by dawn you shall see us seated 011 the black 0110 yonder, but whether we will cause the sun to shine or choose to pass to our own place by the path of boiling waters we do not know, though it seems to me that the last thing is better than tho first, for we weary of your company, Peoplo of the Mist, and it is not lining that wo should bless you longer with our presenco. Never tlieless, should we choose that path, those evils which I linve forotold shall fall upon you. Olfan, lead tts hence."

The king stepped forward with his guards, and the procession passed back to ward the palace solemnly and in silence, for none attempted to bar heir way. They reached it safely at exactly 10 o'clock by Leonard's watch. "Now let us eat and drink," said Leon ard when they stood alone in tho throneroom, "for we shall need all our strength tonight." "Yes," answered Juanna, with a sail smile, ''let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die

CHAPTER XXI.

Then Leonard told her of his love, speaking to her earnestly, hopefully and most tenderly, as such a mail might speak to tho woman whom he worshiped and with whom in some few hours ho expects to travel to that shore of which wo know nothing, though day and night we hear tho waves that bear us onward break upon its beach. They talked for long, and ever while tluy talked Juanna grew gentler and more human, as tho barriers of her pride melted in the fire of her passion and the shadow of death gathered thicker upon her and the man she loved. At length her strength gave way utterly, and she wept upon Leonard's breast like some frightened child, and from weeping sank Into deep slumber or swoon, lie knew not which. Then he kissed her upon the forehead, and carrying her to her bed laid her down to rest awhile before sho died, returning himself to the throneroom. Here ho found Francisco and Otter. "Look here, baas," said the dwarf, producing from beneath his goatskin cloak un article which he had employed the last hour in constructing. It was a fearful and a wonderful instrument, made out of the two sacrificial knives that had been left by tho priests on the occasion of the abstraction of the last of the sett lenient men. Tho handles of theso knives Otter had lashed together immovably with strips of hide, forming a weapon two feet or more In length, of which tho curved points projected in opposite directions. "What is that for, Otter?" said Leonard carelessly, for ho was thinking of other things. "This is for the crocodilo to eat, baas. I had seen his brothers caught like that boforo in the marshes of tho Zambezi," replied tho dwarf, with a grin. "Doubtless lio thinks to eat me, but 1 have made another food ready for him. Ah, of one thing lam sure—that if he comes out there will bo a good fight, whoever conquers in the cud."

Then he proceeded to fix a hide rope to tho handles of tho knives, and having inado it fast about his body with a running noo -:o he coiled its length, which may have measured some 150 feet, round and round his middle, r.rtfully concealing its bulk, together with the knives, beneath his cloak and mcocha. '•Now I am a man again, baas," he said grimly. ''I have dono with drink ami such follies which I took to in my hours of idleness,.for the thrio has come to hgiit. Aye, and 1 shall win, baas. Tho waters are. my home, and I do not. fear crocodiles, however big—110, not ono bit—for, as I told you, I have killed them beloro. You will see, you will see." "I am afraid that 1 shall do nothing of the sort, Otter," answered Leonard sadly, "but I wish you luck, my friend. If you get out of this mess, they will think you a god and no mistake, and should you only lind tho sense to avoid drink you may rule hero till you die of old age." '"There would bo no pleasure in that, baas, if you were dead," answered tho dwarf, with a heavy sigh. "Alas! ray folly has helped to bring you into this trouble, but this I swear—ilmt if I live, and my spirit tells mo that I shall not die tonight, it will bo to nvengo you. Fear not, baas. When I am a god again, ono by mini w'll Vill them all. um! wllCQ tllCTaiO

I-

-'N'.

dead then I will kill myself and como to look for you." "It is very kind of you, Otter,

sure," said Leonard, with somothlug liko a laugh, and at that moment tho curtains swung aside, and Soa stood beforo them, accompanied by four armed priests. "What tho deuce!" exclaimed Leonard, springing at her as though by instinct. "Peace, deliverer!" sho said, holding up her hand and addressing him in tho Sisutu tongue, which, of course, those with her did not understand. "I am guarded, and my death would bo quickly followed by your own. Moreover, it would avail you little to kill me, for I como to bring you hope for tlio life of her you lovo and for your own. Listen. Tho sun will not shino tomorrow at the dawn. Already the mist gathers thick, and it will hold. Therefore tho Shepherdess and the dwarf will be hurled from the head of the statue, whilo you and Baldpate, having witnessed their end, will be kept alive till tho autumn sacrifice, then to be offered up with tho other victims." "Why do you come to tell us all this, woman," said Leonard, "seeing that wo knew it already—that is, with tho exception of the news of tho postponement of our own fate, which I, for one, do not desire? What hope is there in this story? If you have nothing better to say, get you gone, traitress, and let 11s see your hateful face 110 more!" ''I have something more to say, deliverer. I still love the .Shepherdess as you lovo her, and," she added, with emphasis, "as Baldpate yonder also loves her. Now, this is my plan: Two must die at dawn, but of those two the Shepherdess need not be one. The morning will bo misty, the statue of the god is high, and one or two of the priests alone will see the victim shrouded in her black robe. What if a substitute can be found, so like to her in shape and height and features that in tho twilight and beneath the shadow of the hood none shall know them apart?"

Leonard started. "Who can be found?" Slowly Soa raised her thin hand and pointed to Francisco. "Thero stands the man," she said. ".Were he wrapped in the cloak of Aca who should know the one from the other? The pool and the snake do not give back that which they have swallowed."

If Leonard had started before, now I10 fairly recoiled as the full meaning of this terrible proposition took possession of his mind. Ho looked at Francisco, who stood by wondering, for the priest did not understand the Sisutu dialect. "Tell him," she said.

Wait awhile," he answered hoarsely. "Supposing that this were carried out, what would happen to the Shepherdess?" "Sho would be concealed in the dungeons of the temple in his dress and under his name," and again she pointed to Francisco, '•until such time as a chance can be found for her to escape or to return to rule this people unquestioned and with honor. My father alone knows of this plot, and Ijecause of his lovo for me he suffers me to try it, desperate as it seems also, for I will tell you all the truth, he is himself in danger, and he believes that by means of the Shepherdess, who, when sho reappears, will be held by tho people to bo immortal, having survived the sacrifice, he may save his life when the day of his own trial comes." "And do you think," said Leonard, "that I will trust her alone to you, wicked and forsworn as you are, and to the tender mercies of your father? No, it is better that she should die and have done with her fears and torments." "I did not ask you to do so, deliverer," answered .Soa quietly. "You will bo taken with her, and if .-he lives you will live with her. Is that not enough? Theso men here come to bear you and Baldpate to tho dungeons. They will bear you and tho Shepherdess, knowing 110 difference, that is all. Now, tell him. Perchance he may not be willing to accept." "Francisco, come here," said Leonard in a low voice and speaking in Portuguese, and he told him all, while Soa watched them with her glittering eyes. As the tale went 011 the priest turned ashen pale and trembled violently, but. before it was finished he ceased to tremble, and Leonard, looking at his face, saw that it was alight as with a glory.

"I accept," he said in a clear voice. "I thank heaven that has thus given to hie, all unworthy as I am, the boon of perishing in the place of her whom I adore and of expiating my sin 11 loving her. Come, let me make ready." •'Francisco," muttered Leonard, for his emotion would not stiller him to speak aloud, "you area saint and a hero. I can only say I wish that I could go through this in your place, for most gladly would I do so, but it is not possible." "It .seems, then, that there are two saints and heroes," replied tho priest gently, "but why talk thus:- It is the bounden duty of either or both of us to die for her, yet it is far hotter that 1 should die that you may live to love and comfort her."

Leonard thought a moment. "1 suppose it must be so," lie said, "hut God knows it is a terrihlo alternative. How can 1 trust that woman Soa? And yet if I do not trust her Juanna will DO* Kinca at once.'' "You must take the chance of it," answered Francisco. "After all, sho is fond of her mistress, and it was because she grew jealous that she fled to Nam and betrayed us." "There is another thing," said Leonard. "How are we to get Juanna away? If once sho suspects the plot, there will be an end of it. Soa, como hither."

Sho came, and ho put this question to her, telling her at the same time that Francisco consented to tho scheme, and that Juanna slept behind the curtain and might awake at any moment. "I have that with me which shall overcome the dillicultv, deliverer," answered Soa, "for I foresaw it. See here." And she drew small gourd from her dress. "This as the same water of which Saga gave your black dog to drink when I escaped you. Now mis ic with some spirit, go to the Shephoidess, awake her and bid her drink this to comfort her. She will obey, and immediately 'deep sleep will take her again that shall hold her last for six hours." "It is iioti a poison'" usknd Leonard suspiciously.' "No, it is no poisor What need would there lib to poison oil" who must die at dawn?"

Then Leonard did as he was told. Taking a.tin pannikin, one of their few possessions, he emptied tho sleeping draft into it and added' enough native brandy to color tho water. Next ho went into Juanna's room and found her fust asleep upon tho great bed. Going up to her, he touched her gently on the shoulder, saying, "Wako up, love." ,-he raised herself ami opened her eyes. "Is that you, Leonard?" sho said. "I was dreaming tlmt 1 was a girl again and at school at Durban, and that it was timo to get up for early service at tho church. Oh, 1 remember now. Ls it dawn yet?" "No, dear, but it soon will be," ho answered. "Here, drink this. It will givo YOU couraeo." r, ...

fcao took tho pannikin ami uriink mechanically. "How horrid that spirit tastes!" sho said, then sank back slowly on the cushion and in another minuto was sound asleep again. Tho draft was strong, and it worked quickly. Leonard went to the curtain and beckoned to Soa and the others. They all entered except tho priests, who remained clustered together near tho doorway of tho great chamber talking in low tones and apparently taking 110 notico of what passed. "Take off that robe, Baldpate," said Soa. "I must givo you another."

Ho obeyed, and while Soa was engaged in clothing Juanna's senseless form in tho robo of the priest Francisco, drawing his diary from the pocket in his vest where I10 kept it, rapidly wrote a few lines 011 a blank page then, shutting the book, handed it to Leonard, together with his rosary, to which a little ivory crucifix was suspended, saying: "Let the senora read what I have written here after 1 am dead, not before, and givo her this crucifix in memory of me. Many is the time that I have prayed for her upon it. Perhaps she will wear it after I am gone, and though she is a Protestant someiiiucs offer up a prayer for 1110."

Leonard took tho book and the rosary, and placing them in an inner pocket turned to Otter and rapidly explained to him the meaning of all that was being done.

By this timo Soa, helped by the priest himself, had arrayed Fiancisen iii the black robe of Aca. The white dress sho wore in the temple ceremonies he did notput on, for it remained upon Juanna. being completely hidden from sight, however, by the priest's cassock. "Who would know them apart now?" asked Soa triumphantly, then added, handing Leonard the great ruby which sho had taken from uanua's forehead: "Here, deliverer, this belongs to you. Do not lose the stone, for you have gone through much to win it." Leonard took the gem, and at first was minded to dash it into the old woman's sneering face, but remembering the uselessness of such a performance thrust it into his pocket, together with the rosary. "Come, let 11s be going," said Soa.

You must carry the Shepherdess, deliverer. I will say that it is Baldpate who has fainted with fear. Farewell, Baldpate! After all, you arc a brave man, and 1 honor you for this deed. Keep the hood well about the face, and if you would preserve tho Shepherdess alive bo silent, answering 110 word whoever addresses you and uttering 110 cry, however great your fear."

Francisco went to tho bed where Juanna lay, and beading down kissed her gently 011 the forehead then holding out his hand above her, as though in blessing, he muttered some words of prayer or farewell, and turning clasped Leonard ill his arms, kissed him and blessed him also. "Goodby, Francisco!" said Leonard in a choking voice. "Surely tho kingdom of heaven is made up of such as you!" "Do not weep, my friend," answered the priest, "for there in that kingdom I shall greet you and her."

CHAPTER XXII.

Lifting Juanna in his arms, Leonard hurried from tho sleeping apartment to tho throneroom, where I10 stood hesitating, for I10 did not know what was to happen next. Soa, who had preceded him, stood, surrounded by the four priests and with a torch in her hand, against that wall of the chamber where she had lain bound on the night of the drugging of Otter. "Baldpate has fainted with fear. He is a coward!" she said to the priests, pointing to the burden in Leonard's- arms. "Open the secret way and let us pass on."

Then a priest camo forward and pressed upon a stone in tho wall, which gavoway, leaving a space sufficiently largo for him to insert his hand and pull upon some hidden mechanism with all his force, whereon a piece of tho wall swung outward as though uiion a pivot, revealing a lliglit of steps, beyond which ran a narrow passage. Soa descended them first, bearing the light, which she was careful to hold in such a way as to keep the figure of Leonard and the burden that he bore in comparative darkness, and after her went two priests, followed by Leonard, carrying Juanna, the rear being brought up by the remaining priests,who closed tho secret door behind them. "So that is how it is done," thought Leonard to himself, turning his head to watch the process, 110 detail of which escaped him.

Otter, who had followed Leonard from Juanna's chamber, saw thoni go, though from somo little distance, ior, like a cat, Otter could seo in tho dark. When tho rock had closed again, he returned to Francisco, who upon the bed lost in prayer or thought. "I have seen how they make a hole in tho wall," he said, "and pass through it. Doubtless our comrades, the settlement 111011, went by that way. Say, shall we try it?" "What is the use, Otter?" answered tho priest. "The rotnl leads only to the dungeons of the temple, and if we got so far wo should be caught there, and everything would be discovered, including this trick." And he pointed to the robo of Aca, which I10 wore. "That is true," said Otter. "Come, then, let us go and sit upon the thrones and wait till they fetch us."

So they went to the great chairs and sat themselves down in them, listening to the tramp of the guards outsido (he doorway. Here Francisco resumed his prayers, while Otter sang songs of tho deeds that he had done, and more especially a very long one which ho had composed upon the taking of the si a

camp, "to keep his Jicart

alive," jus he explained to Francisco. A quarter of an hour passed, and tin: curtains were drawn aside, when a band of priests entered, headed by Nam, and bearing between them two litters, having hide curtains. "Now, silence, Otter," whispered Francisco, drawing his hood over his face.. "Hero sit the gods," said Nam, waving the torch that ho bore toward the two quiet figures on tho thrones. "Descend, yo gods, that wo may l.tar you to the temple and seat you in a lofty pi vc, v\he:ue you may:.watch... the glories of U10 ii»iuc sun."

Then, without more ado, Olte.r nml Francisco camo down Irom tneir seats and took their places in tho litters: Presently they felt themselves being borne- forward at a considerable spend. When tin/ ie outsido tho palace gates, Otier pe .fd through tho curtain in tho hope of ing somo change in the weather. In vain. Tho mist was deny or than usual, alihf.n-rb it grow gray with tho light of tho coming dawn. Now they wero at those gates of tho temple that was nearest to the colossal idol, and here, at tho mouth of one of the numerous underground passages, guards assisted them to descend. "Farewell, queen!" said the voieo of Olfan in Francisco's ear. "I would have given my lifo to save you. As it is:, I live to avenge you upon Nam and all his servants." ..

Francisco mado 110 answer, but pressed on down the passage, holding his head low. Soon they were at the foot of tho idol, and led by priests begun to ascend tho stairway in the interior of tho statue. Up they toiied slowly in tho utter darkness. Indeed to Francisco this the last journey of his life seemed tho longest.

At length they emerged upon tho head of tho colossus, where neither of them had been before. It formed a flat platform about 8 feet square, quite unprotected at tho edges, beneath which tho outlines of tho sculptured head curved sheerly. Tho ivory throne whereon Juauna had sat when first she visited tho tomplo was gone, and instead of it, placed at tho very vergo of tho forehead, woro two wooden stools upon which the victims must seat themselves. From this horrible elevation could bo seen that narrow space of rock between the leet of the colossus and the wall of ho pool where stood tho stone altar, although, owing to tho slope of the head, ho who stood upon it almost overhung tho waters of the pool.

Otter and Francisco seated themselves 011 the stools, and behind them Nam and three other priests took their stand, Nam placing himself in such a position that his companions could not seo anything of Francisco's slight form, which thoy believed to be that of tho Shepherdess. "Hold me, Otter," whispered Francisco. "My senses will leave me, and 1 shall fall. "Shut your eyes and lean back. Then you will seo nothing," answered Otter. "Moreover, make ready your medicine, for the timo is at hand." "It is road ," he answered. "May I be forgiven the sill, for I cannot bear to bo hurled living to tho snake."

Otter made 110 answer, but set himself to watch he, scene beneath him. Tho temple was filled with mist that from the great height looked liko smoke, and through this veil ho could just distinguish tho black and moving mass of tho thousands of the audience who had sat tho long night through watting to witness tho consummation of the tragedy, whilo tho sound of their voices as they spoko together in hushed tones reached him liko that of the murmuring of distant waters. Behind him stood the four priests, or executioners, In a solemn, silent lino, their eyes fixed upon tho gray mist, whilo abovo them, around them and beneath them was nothing but sheer and giddy space. It was a hideous position, heightened by every terror that man and nature can command, and even the intrepid dwarf, who feared neither death nor devil and over whom religious doubts had 110 power, began to feel its chilling influence grip his heart. As for Francisco, such nynd as ho had left to him was taken up with fervent prayer, so it is possible that he did not suffer so much as might have been expected.

Five minutes or more passed thus. Then a voice spoke from the mist below, saying: "Are those who are named Aca and Jal 011 high, O priest?" •'They are on high," answered Nam. "Is it yet the hour of dawn, O priest?" said the voice again, and this timo Otter knew it for that of tho spokesman of tho ciders. "Not yet awhile," answered Nam, and ,turning ho glanced up toward tho snow peak that towered thousands of foot into tho air behind them. Indeed every eye in that vast assembly was staring at this peak, although at present its gigantic outlino could only bo seen dimly becauso of the mist, liko tho shape of a man buried in a winding sheet of snow. Here, upon the loftiest precipices of tho mountain, the full light of morning struck first and struck always, for they soared far above tho level of tho mist wreaths, and by its character this peoplo judged the weather of the newborn day. If tho snow was •rosy red, then they knew that the sun would shino upon them, though perhaps not yet awhile. If, 011 tho other hand, it shone cold and white, or, still worse, gray, it was a sign tioat the coming day would bo misty in the city and 011 tho plains. Therefore in this the hour of tho trial of tho gods whom they had set tip all eyes watched the mountain peak to seo if' it should show white or red as they had never watched before.

Very gradually the light increased, and it seemed to Otter t.hatLthfi mist was somewhat thinner than was usual at this hour, though as yet it hung densely between them and the mountain snow. Now he could trace the walls of the amphitheater now he could seo tho black shimmerof the water beneath and distinguish the glitter of many hundreds of upturned eyeballs as they glared at him and beyond him. Tho silence grew more and more intense, for none spoke or moved. All were waiting to see the light fall upon the slope of snow and wondering would it bo red or white. Would the gods dio or live? So .intense and fearful did it grow, indeed, unbroken as it, was even by a breath of air or the calling of a bird, that Otter could bear it no longer, but suddenly burst out into song.

He had a fine deep voice, and it was a Zulu warsong that he sang, a riumphant chant of the rush of conquering impis interspersed with the wails of women and the groans of the dying. Louder, louder ho sang, stamping his naked feet upon tho rock, while the people wondered at tho marvel. Surely this was a god, they thought, who could sing thus exultingly ill strange tongue while men waited to seo him cast into tho jaws of the snake. No man about to die so soon and thus could find the heart to sing, and much less could ho sing such a song as that they had heard. "Ho is a god!" cried a voice far away, and tho cry was echoed on every side till at length, on a sudden, men grew silent, and Otter also ceased from his singing, for ho had turned his head and seen. Lo, the veil of mist that hid tho mountain's upper snow grew thin! It was the moment of dawn, but would it be a red dawn or a wliito? Suddenly tho vapors disappeared from the peak, though they still lay thick upon the slopes below, and in their place were seen its smooth and shining outlines clothed in their cloak of everlasting snows.

Tho ordeal was ended. No touch of color, no golden sunbeam or crimson shadow ^stained the ghastly surfitce'of those snows

Tiny Wui*w,pallid as the faces of tho dead. A v.'hit. oawn. a while dawn!" roarui the populace. "Away with the false,gods] vllurl UHsin to the snake!" "It. i^i finished," whispered Otter again into Francisco's ojiiv "Now tal.u you)'medicine, and, lrieiid, farowell!"

Tho priest heard atiu urned Ins tormented lace, in which the -.»({ shono up

Win d, toward the heavens, clasping hia thin hands together. For some seconds ho feat thus. Then Otter, ptei. ig btntath his hooi.1, saw his countenance change, and once more glory soeined to come upon it as it had come when, for sake of tho woman whom ho loved, Francisco promised to do tho deed that now he was about to dare. Again there was silcnco below, for tho spokesman of. the council of elders had risen and was crying tho formal question to the priest above, "Is the dawn white or rod, ye who standon high?'

Nam turned -and looked upon tho snow. "The dawn is fully dawned, and it is whiLu." ho answered.

"Be swift," whispered Otter Into Francisco's ear once more. Then tho priest, tho glory still shining on his face, unclasped his hands and put, ono of them to his lips, as though to partake of tho sacrament of death. A moment later, and ho let it fall again with a sigh, whispering back to Otter: "I cannot. It is a deadly sin. Let them kill mo, for I will not kill myself." Then, beforo tho dwarf could answer, nature, more merciful than his conscience, did that for Francisco which ho refused to do for himself, for of a sudden he swooned. His faeo turned ashen, and slowly he began to sink backward so that ho would have fallen had not Nam, who saw that ho had fainted with fear, caught, him by the shoulders and held him upright.

The dawn is white. We seo it with, our eyes," answered the spokesman of the elders. "O ye who stand on high, east down the false gods according to tho judg ineut of the Peoplo of the Mist."

Otter heard and knew that the moment had come to leap, for now he need trouble himself with Francisco 110 more. Swiftly ho turned his head, looking at Nam, for I10 would know it ho might carry out a purpose that he had formed. It was to seize the high priest and bear him to the depths below.

No, it was not possible. He was out, of reach. Moreover, were he to snatch him away Francisco would fall backward, and tho others might, see that this was not the Shepherdess. He stood up upon his feet, kicking the stool on which ho had sat off tho platform and watching its lliglit It fell into the water, never touching tho rock, and then Otter know that ho had planned well.

Now Nam and ono priest seized the fainting form of Francisco, and the other two stepped toward him. Tin dwarf waited till their hands were outstretched to grasp him, then suddenly sprang at. the mail upon his right, and shouting aloud, "Como thou with me!" he gripped him about the middle in his iron grasp, and putting out till his strength hurled himself and his burden into sheer space beneath.

Tho priest shrickM aloud, and a gasp of wonder went up from the watching thousands as the dwarf and his victim rushed downward like a stone. They cleared tho edge of tho pool by an inch or two—no more—and struck tire boiling waters, sinking through them till Otter thought that they would never riso again, hut at last they did riso. Then Otter loosed the dead or senseless priest, and at that moment tho body of Francisco, cast hither by Nam, struck the water beside him ami straightway vanished.

Otter loosed his grip, and diving beneath tho surface swam hard for tho north sido of tho pool, for thero ho had noticed that tho current was least strong, and thero also tho rock bank overhung a littlo. Ho reached it safely, and rising once morn grasped a knob of rock with ono hand and lay still where, in tho shadow and tho swirl of waters, ho could not bo discovered by any watching from above. First he breathed deeply and moved his limbs. It was well. Ho was unhurt. Tho priest whom ho had taken with him, being heavier, had met tho water first, so that though tho leap was so great tho shock had been littlo.

"Ha!" said Otter to himself. "Thus far my spirit has been with 1110, ami hero I could lio for hours and never bo seen. But there is still tho snake to deal with." And hastily I10 seized tho weapon that, ho had constructed out of tho two knives and unwound a portion of tho cord that was mado fast about his middlo. Then again he looked across tho surfaco of the waters. Some ten fathoms from him, In the exact center of the whirlpool, tho body of tho priest was still visible, for tho vortex buro it round anil round, but of Francisco there was nothing to be seen. Only :J0 feet above him Otter could seo lines of heads bending over the rocky edges of tho pool and gazing at the priest as he was tossed about like a straw in the eddy. "Now, if bo is still thero and awake," thought Otter, "surely tlx! father ol crocodiles will take this bait. Therefore I shall do best to bo still awhile and seo what happens."

As he reflected thus a louder shout than tiny he had heard before reached his oars from tho multitude in the temple abovu him, so tumultuous a shout indeed that for a few moments even the turmoil of the waters was lost in it. "Now, what chances up there, wonder?" thought, Otter again. Then his attention was distracted in a somewhat un pleasant fashion.

This was the cause of tho shout: A miracle, or what tho People of tho Mist took to bo a miracle, had come about, for suddenly, for tho first time within the memory of man, the white dawn had changed to red. Blood red was the snow upon the mountain, nod, 1j! its peaks we -,- turned to fire. Ft awhile all who km mis phenomenon stood aghast then there aro that babel which had reached the ears of Otter as he lurked under the bank of rock. "Tho gods have been saeriUecd unjustly," yelled the people. "They are true gods, for, see, the dawn is reu!

Tho situation was curious and most unexpected, but Nam, who had not been high priest for more than oil years for nothing, ro,se to the occasion. '•This is a marvel, indeed!" be cried, when silence had at lenpih been restored, "for 1 1 0 such thing is tohlof in our history as that a white dawn upon t! mountain should turn to red. Yet, O People of the Mist, those whom wo thought gods have not been offered lip wrongfully. Nay, this is tho meaning of the sign. Now are tho truo gods, Aca and Jal, appeased, because those who dared to usurp their power have gono down to doom. Therefore the curse is lifted from tho land, and lbs* sunlight has como back to bless us."

Again, as ho finished speaking, the tumult broke out, some crying this thing and some that, but no action was taken, for Nam's excuse was ready and plausible, and tho minds of men were eon I used. So the assembly broke, up hi disorder.. Only tho priests and as many more as could find place, Olfan among thorn,'crowded round the edges of the pool to seu what happened in its depths.

This was what had attracted Otter's notice, causing him to think no 11,0m of tho .shouting above him than ol the nummlng of last year's gnats. Suffering his eyes to travel round the eircuniferenou.of the rocky wall, he saw the mouth of a circular hole, that Ava.s situated immediately under tho base of tho idol and may have measured somo feet in diameter. The lower edge of this hole stood about six liit hi ,-i above tho level of tho.pool, ami water rrwrout of it in a thin stream. Passing down this stream, half swimming anu half waddling, appeared that huge and ungainly l'eptito which was the real 'object of ..tho''worship of tho Peoplo of the Mist.

Great as it was in length and bulk, tho dwarf saw it but for a few moments, so swift were its movements. Then it vanished into tho deep waters, to reappear presently by tlja sido of the dead priest, who was now beginning to sink. It's horrible head roso uuou tho waters as 011 that

night when the woman had been th: ,vi« to It. It opened its lingo juws, and soi-wig the body of the man across tho mhhi.o itj disappeared beneath tho foam. f»r watched the mouth of tho bole, and nob In vain, for beforo ho could havo cot: tctl ten tho monster was crawling throu{.:i it, boarlng its prey into tho cave. Now o. re more tho dwarf felt afraid, for tho snake,, or rather tho crocodile, nt close qua:.era was far more fearful than anything Mints his imagination had portrayed. Koe 1 rr his plaeo beneath the ledge, which, on pt for tho coldness of tho water, he fi. himself able to do with little fatigue or difficulty, ho searched the walls of tho pool, seeking for some possible avi-ii'io of escape, for somehow hts ardor for per- it 'll conlllct with this creature had evaporated, but search as he would he could find in thing. The walls were full lid feet high sloped inward, like the sides of an uri rted funnel, and wherever the exits to .10 pool might be they were invisible also f,fcwithstanding his strength and skill

:er

did not dare toswim into the furious ty to look lor them. One thing he no indeed. Immediately .above thoenl* "ieo to the crocodile's den, and some 2i.,- tfrom tho level of thewater. two holes w'ovo pierced in the rock, six feet or soar r, each measuring about 1:3 inches

square,

but these holes were not to bo reat red, and even if reached they were too sun II li pass, so Oner bought no more of hci.

Now the cold was beginning to nip .u n, and he felt, that if ho staid 111 the vi.c.-c much longer he would become paraivreil by it, for it was fed from the ice and .-: j-.v above. Therefore It would seem that, ret'o was but one thing to do—to face the' tile in Us lair. To this, then, Otter 1 up his mind, albeit with loathing air 1 ii" doubtful heart.

CilAPTMll XXIII

Keeping himself carefully under -ho overshadowing ledge of tho rock bank i:l holding his double bladetl knilo rea In one hand, Otter swam to the niout y, .fhu snake's den. As he approached it he eeived by the great upward lorcc o. 'no water that the real body of the stream entered tho pool from below, the hole v. e"o tho crocodilo lived being but a supph utary exit, which doubtless the rivet ''allowed in times of flood. lie reached tho mouth ol tho tti-.ii.ui without, any great difficulty, anil ing his opportunity lifted himself 1 hands and slipped through it quickl .ophe did not desire to bo seen by thosi were gathered above. Nor indeed .0 seen, for his red fringe and the goat

1 1

cloak had been washed away or cast,

0.1

Then he looked again and almost f.

the pool, and in that light his black i.v«iy inado littlo show against tho black rock beneath.

Now he was insido tho hole and f••stvi himself crouching upon a bed of sai: or rather disintegrated rock, brought by the waters. The gloom of the plao •,t great, but tho light of the hite 1 which had turned to red, was gath. swiftly on the surfaco ol the pool wi. it as the mist molted and was re. ..l thence into tho tunnel. So It- came t. that very soon Otter, who had the not uncommon among savages, ol si eiog in anything short of absolute dark was able to make out his surroun. ia^n with tolerable accuracy. The place 1 10 corner of which lie squatted was a c. 110 great height or width, hollowed 1 'm solitl rock hi' the force of water as sol.. ly as though it had been hewn tlirot!) !v its by tho hand of man—111 short, an 1 motis natural drain pipe, but constructed of rock instead of earthenware. 1m tho bottom of this drain trickled a slrea- ot' water nowhere more than six liicle

depth, on either side of which, for ten toot or more, lay a thick bed of debris, ml small, llow far tho cave si icicle course, ho could not see, nor us yet ho discover tho whereabouts ol its hie. occupant, though traccs ol its prcM-ivo were plentiful, for the sandy floor as marked with its huge footprints, an air reeked with an abominable slink "Now, where has this evil spirit gor thought Otter, "lie must be near, am. lean seo. nothing of him. lVrhap- I10 lives farther up the cave, "and he en iv paeo or two forward and again peered 1 ir.o tho gloom.

Now he perceived what, hitherto esi red him—namely, that some eight yards tn tho mouth of the tunnel a table slnqiod fragment, of stone rose from its floor to within six leet ol tho. root, having ity hither side a sloping plane that coma its summit with the stream bed ben. •-fi. Doubt less this fragment, or bowlder, t'tg of some harder m:ileal than Ihnsurri. ing rock, had resisted the wear oi' 10 rushing river, tho top ol it. as was -,i by tho high water marks on the sid -oi' the cuve, being above the level ol lie rent, which, although it was now presented only by a rivulet, evidently ul ,-ertain seasons of the year poured down -viih r. .it. force nml volume.

Hero is a l.i-d en hich a erne ..,u 1 •1.- it sleep," thought otter, crcopi• 1 littlo (arther forward and staring a io ma.-s of rock, and more especially al -iangiilar shaped object that, was 'poi.-ii :i tho top of the sloping plane, and on avthiugwhich lay beneath it. Now, if ti thing he another stone, I bought 1 i-V again, "how comes it that it. does not into the water twi it should do, and wnut it that upon which it rests?" and ho t- ok a step to ono side to prevent his body intercepting any port ion of the ray of that momentarily shone dearer and pie,\ ti tho darkness of tho cave to a greatei Jistance.

his horror, for now lie could cc all. thing that ho had taken for a stor.i set upon tho rock table was the head oi tj dweller in the waters, lor there in iv 10 dreadful eyes gleamed with a dull :ul changing fire as the light, struck on .1. Moreover, he discovered what, was 'ojeet which lay under the throat of thsr-rsp-tile. It was the hotly of that priest, ..-rm Otter had taken with hiai hi his leap

n»

the statue, for lie could seo its faoe. jecl ing on one side. "Perhaps if I whit awhilo ho will '111 to eat him," reilected the dwarf, nr rnbcring the habits of crocodiles, ."nr., I can attack him when.ho rests ano r- r» afterward." And acting on the t! he stood still, watching the t, ... ju throbbed and quivered, waxed and 111 \.r

TO 11K CON TIN I! K1

Jiij»anoie Cruiser,

rf-"inrnth,

N. II., July 11.—Th

Japiuse.Ki cruiser I'acagi d.nppeu uucb^C oil' Portsuioutn last night. Tho bicruiser camo around from

iJciuwure breakwater

Philaclclphi!

without stopping, circling bc

"-eo'

and Uapo

May

adjust com passes. ..."

Si'50,000 Fire.

Chicago, July 11.—-Fire destroyed rl:o plant of tliit Western .Starch Manufjcturei'S an West Iluininond, yostetfsav Tin buildings covercd 17 acres of grouiiu and had a capacity of 100,000 pouaJs oi.' starch a day. Loss, §'j50,0u0, ell ininsured. ,w. .............