Crawfordsville Weekly Journal, Crawfordsville, Montgomery County, 22 July 1898 — Page 7

'THE PEOPLE OF THE MIST.

By H. EIDER HAGGARD.

fOoDjTlcht. 1808, by the Author.]

How long ho remainod thus Otter never knew. At least after a timo ho becamo conscious that the eyes hail taken hold of him and worn drawing him toward them, though whether the reptilo saw him oi' not ho could not tell. For a space ho struggled against this unholy fascination. Then, overcome by dread, ho strovo to fly back to tho pool or anywhere out of reach of those devilish orbs. Alas! it was too late. No step could he. move backward—

110,

not to save hi.s life. Now ho must go on. It was as though tho water dweller had read his.mind and drew tho foe toward itself to put the matter to tho test. Otter took one step forward—rather would ho have walked again off tho head of tho colossus—and tho eyes glowed more dreadfully than ever, as though in triumph. Then in his despair ho sank to the ground, hiding his face in his hands and groaning in his heart. "This is a devil that I have como to fight, a devil with magic in his eyes," he thought. "And how can I do bnttlo against the king of evil spirits, clothed in tho shape of a crocodile?"

Even now when ho could nob see them ho felt, the eyes drawing him. Yet, as they were no longer visible, his courago and mind canto back to him sufficiently to enable him to think again. ''Otter," lie said to himself, "if you stay thus soon, the magic will doits work. Your sense will leave you, and that devil will eat you as a cobra devours a meercat. Yes, he will swallow you, and his insido will bo your grave, and that is no end for ono who has been called a god. Men, let alono gods, should die fighting, whether it bo with other men, with wild beasts, with snakes or with devils. Think now, if your master, the deliverer, saw you crouch thus like a toad beforo an adder how ho would laugh and say: 'Ho! I thought this man brave. Ho! Ilo talked very loud about fighting tho water dweller, ho who came of a line, of warriors, but now I laugh at him, for I seo that he is but a crossbred cur and a coward.' Yes, yes, you can hear his words, Otter. Say, now, will you bear their shame and sit here until you are picked up and swallowed?"

Thus the dwarf .addressed himself, and it seemed to his bewildered mind that the words which ho had imagined were true, and that Leonard really stood by and mocked him. At the least ho sprang to his feet, and crying ''Never, baas!" so loudly that the cava rang with the echoes of his shout he rushed straight, at the foe. holding the two bladed knife in his right hand.

The crocodile, that had been waiting for him to fall insensible, as had ever been tho custom of tho victims on whom it fixed its baneful glare, heard his cry and awoko from its seeming torpor. It lifted its head: lire seemed to flash from its dull eyes its vast length began to stir. Higher and higher it reared its head then of a sudden it leaped from the slopo of rock, as alligators when disturbed leap from a river bank into the water, coming so heavily to the ground that tho shock caused the cavo to tremble, and stood before tho dwarf with its tail arched upward over its baek.

Again Otter shouted, half in rago and half in terror, and tho sound seemed to make the beast more furious. At any rate, it opened its huge mouth as though to seize him and ran a few paces forward, halting within six feet of him. Now tho dwarf's chance had come, and he knew it, for with tho opportunity all his courage and skill returned to him. It was ho who sprang, and not tho crocodile, lie sprang, ho thrust his arm and the double knife far into the yawning mouth, and for a second held it tiller.1, one end pointing upward to the brain and one to the tonguo beneath. Ho felt the jaws close, but their rows of yellow fangs never touched his arm, foxthere was that between them which held them some little space apart. Then he cast himself on one side and to the ground, leaving tho weapon in the reptile's throat.

For a few moments it shook its horrid head, while Otter watched gasping. Twice it opened its great jaws and spat, and twice it strovo to close them. Oh, what if it should rid itself of tho knifoor drive it through the soft flesh of the throat! Then lie was lost indeed. But this it might not do, for tho lower blade caught upon tho jawbone, and at each effort it drove the sharp point of the upper knife deeper toward its brain. Moreover, so good was tho steel and so firm were the hido lashings of the handles, shrunken as they were with the wet, that nothing broke or gave. "Now lie will tramplo ine or dash me to picces with his tail," said Otter. But as yet tho snake had no such mind. Indeed in its agony it seemed to have forgotten tho presence of its foe. It writhed upon tho floor of the cave, lashing tho rock with its tail, gasping horribly the while. Thon suddenly it started forward past him, and tho tough hido ropo about Otter's middle ran out liko tho lino from the bow of a whaleboat when tho harpoon has gone homo in the ouarr.v.

Thrice the dwart spun rouuu viuiuniiiy then ho felt himself dragged in great jerks along tho rocky floor, which, happily for him, was smooth. A fourth jerk, and onoo more ho was in tho waters of the pool—avc, and being carricd to its remotest depths. "Now, that man is a fool," thought Otter, "who ties himself to such a fish as this, for it will drown mo oro it dies."

Had it been any other man doubtless this would liavo been so. But tho dwarf was as nearly amphibious as a human being can be, and could divo and swim and hold his breath—aye, and see—beneath tho surfaco as well as tho animal from which lio took his name. Never did these gifts stand their owner in botter stoad than during the minutes of this strango duol. Twico tho tortured reptilo sank to tho bottom of tho pool—and its depth was great—dragging tho dwarf after him, though, as it chanced, botween each divo it rose to tho surface, giving him timo to breathe. A third timo it dived, and Otter must follow it, on this occasion to tho mouth of ono of the subterranean exits of tho water, into which tho dwarf was sucked. Now tho bruto turned, heading up tho pool with a rush liko that of a salmon, and Otter, who had prayed that tho lino would break, now prayed that it might hold, for he know that cvo'n ho could never hope to swim against that undertow.

It held, and onco moro they roso to tho surface, where tho reptilo lay lashing tho waters in its pain, blood pouring from its mouth and nostrils. Very glad was tho dwarf to bo abio to breathe again, for during that last rush he had gono near to suffocation. Ho lifted his head, inhaling tho air with great gulps, and saw that tho

tors, who shouted and surged in a stato of mad excitement. After that lio did not seo much moro for awliilo, since just then it seemed to occur to tho crocodilo for tho first time that the man alongsido of him was tho cause of his suffering. At least it wallowed round, causing tho waters to boil about its horny sides, and charged him. With its fangs it could not bito. Therefore it struck at him with its tail.

Twice Otter dived, avoiding tho blows, but the third timo ho was not so successful, for the reptilo followed him into tlio deep water and dealt him a fearful blow beforo ho could either sink or rise. Ho felt tho rough scales cut into his flesh and a sensation as though every bono in his body was breaking and his eyes were starting from his head. Faintly and moro faintly ho struggled, but in vain, for now lifo and sense were leaving him together, and everything grew black.

But suddenly there came a chango, and Otter knew vaguely that onco moro ho was bSng dragged through tho water anil over rock. Then darkness took him, and ho remembered no moro.

When he awoko again, it was to find himself lying on tho lloor of the cave, bur, not alone, for by his side, twisted into a last and hideous contortion, was tho snake god—dead! Tho upper blado of tho double knife had worked itself into its brain, and with a dying effort it sought tho den where it had lived for centuries, dragging Otter with it, and thero expired, how or when ho knew not. But the dwarf had triumphed. Beforo him lay the ancient terror of tho People of tho Mist, tho symbol and indeed the object of their worship, slain by liis skill ynd valor.

Otter saw and understood, and, bruised and shaken as he was, his heart, swelled with pride, for had he not done a deed siuglo handed such as was not told of in tho stories of his land? "Oh, that tho baas were here to see this sight!" ho said as he crawled along tho length of his dead enemy and seated himself upon its flat and loathsome head. "Alas! he cannot," ho added, "but I pray that my watching spirit may spare my life that I may livo to sing this song of the slaying of the devil of the People of the Mist. Wow! That was a fight. When shall a man seo such another? And, lo! savo for many bruises and tho cutting of tho ropo about my middle, I am not'greatly hurt, for tho water broko the weight of his tail when ho smote mo with it. After all, it is Vrell that tho line held, for it served to drag mo from tho pool as it dragged me into it, and otherwiso I had surely drowned thero. See, though, it is nearly dono with." And taking that end of it in his hand which issued from the jaws of tho crocodilo ho broko it with a jerk, for, with the exception of half a strand,it was frayed through by tho yellow fangs. Then, when ho had recovered himself a little and washed the worst of his hurts with water, Otter set himself to consider tho position. First, however, ho mado an utterly ineffectual effort to extact the great knives. Ten men could not have moved them, for the upper blade was driven many inches deep into the bono and muscles of the reptile's massive head. But for this indeed it would soon have shaken itself clear of them. But, us it was, every contortion and gnashing of its jaws had only served to drivo tho steel in deeper—up to tho hilt indeed.

Abandoning this attempt, the dwarf crcpt cautiously to tho mouth of tho cave and peered up at tho farther banks of the pool, whence he could hear shouts and see men moving to and fro, apparently in a stato of great excitement. "Now, I am weary of that pool," he said to himself, ''and if I am seen in it tho great people will surely shoot at me with arrows and kill me. What shall I do, then? I cannot stay in this placoof stinks with the dead devil and tho bones of those whom ho has devoured until I die of hunger. Now, this water must como from .somewhere. Therefore it seems best that I should follow it awliilo, searching for the spot where it outers the cavo. It will bo dark walking, but the walls and tho floor aro smooth, so that I shail not hurt myself, and if I find nothing 1 can return again and strive to escape from tho pool by night."

Ifaviug dceided upon tho adventure, Otter began to carry it out with characteristic promptness, tho moro readily, indeed, because his long immersion in the water had chilled him, and ho felt a weariness creeping over him as a result of tho terriblo strugalo and emotions that ho had passed through. Coiling tho hide rope about his middle, which was sadly cut by its chafing, lio started with an uncertain gait, for ho was still very weak. A few steps brought him to that rock on which ho had discovered tho head of tho reptile, and ho paused to examine it. Climbing tho sloping stone—no easy task for it was as smooth as ice—lio came to tho tablelike top. On its edge lay the body of the priest who had shared his fall from tho head of the colossus.

Then ho inspected tho surfaco of the rock, and for tho first time understood how old that monster must havo been which ho had conquered in single combat, for there, where its body had lain from generation to generation and perhaps from century to century, the hard material was worn away to tho depth of two feet or more, while at tho top of tho sloping stono was a still deeper niche, wherein its head reposed as it lay keeping its sleepless watch on tho waters of tho pool. Around tills depression and strewn on the floor of tho cave itself wero tho remains of many victims, a considerable number of whom had not been devoured. In overy case, howevor, tho larger bones were broken, and from this circumstance Otter judged that, although it was tlio custom of this dreadful reptilo to crush tho lifo out of all who wero thrown to it with a bite of its fangs, yet, like that of other animals, his appetito was limited, and it was only occasionally that he consumed what he had killed.

Tho sight of these remains wero so unpleasant and suggestivo that even Otter, who certainly could not be called squeamish, hastened to descend tho rock. As ha passed round it his attention was attracted by tho skeleton of a man who, from various indications, m«st havo been alive within tho last few weeks. It was clad in a priest's cloak, of which Otter, who was trembling with cold, hastened to possess himself. As ho picked up tho robo with ono hand ho observed benoath it a bag of tanned ox hido that doubtless had onco been carried by tho owner of tho cloak. "Porhftos lin hnrl food In this." thought Otter, "though what ho who comos to visit tho water dweller should want with food I cannot guess. At tho least it will bo bad by now, so I will lcavo it and bo gone. Only a vulture could stay for long in this liouso of tho dend." Then ho started forward.

For a few yards moro ho had light to guido his steps, but very soon tho darkness became complete. Still tho cavo was not difficult to travel, for everywhere tho rock was smooth mid tho. water shallow. All that ho needed to do was to walk straight on, keeping touoh of tho side of tho tunnel with ona hand. Indeed ho had but two thlnes to fpar—that he should fall

into some pit, and that ho might cuildenly encounter another crocodile, "for doubtless," thought Otter, "'tlio devil was mar-, riod."

But ho fell into no- holo and saw no crocodilo, for, as it chanced, tho water dweller of the People o* tho Mist was a bachelor.

When the dwarf had traveled up a steep slopo for rather more than half an hour, to his intense joy ho saw light beforo him and hurried toward it. Presently lie reached the farther mouth of tho cavern that was almost closed by blocks of ice, among which a little water trickled. Creeping through an aperture, ho found himself upon tho crest, of tho impassable prccipico at the back of tho city, and that beforo him a vast, glacier of green icu stretched upward on which tho sun shono gloriously.

CHAPTER XXIV.

It will bo remembered that some hours beforo Otter, after his conquest of tho reptilo god, found himself in tlio light of day Leonard found himself in a very different place—namely, in a secret passage, bearing the senseless form of Juanna in his arms and in process of being guided by Soa, whither ho knew not.

On they went through various unnels, of the turnings of which Leonard tried to keep count in his mind, till at length Soa ushered him into a roek hewn ceil that evidently had been prepared for their reception, for on one sido of it was a bed and ambulance of skin blankets, and on tho other a tablo provided with tho best food that tho country could offer. At a sign from Soa he laid .Juanna down upon the bed, whereupon tho woman Instantly covcrcd her with skin blankets so as to hido her face from tho eyes of tho curious. Then suddenly Leonard felt himself seized from behind, and while his arms were held by two of the priests a third, under Soa's direction, removed his revolver and hunting knife, which weapons be carried away. "You devil," said Leonard to Soa, "be careful lest I kill you." "To kill mo, deliverer, would be to kill yourself and another. These tilings are taken away from you because it is not safe that you should have them. Such toys aro not for angry children. Stay," she said to a fourth priest. "Search his pockets.''

The man did as ho was ordered, placing everything that Leonard had about him, such us his watch, Francisco's notebook and rosary and the great ruby stone, in a little pile upon tho table. Presently ho camo to the fragment of poison Juanna had given him, which was wrapped in a square of kidskin. Soa took it and after examination said, "Why, deliverer, you havo been borrowing medicino that will bring you bad luck if you keep it, "and going to a small aperture in tho wall of tho cell she threw tho tiny packet out of it and after it a second packet, which Leonard recognized as having been taken from Juanna's hair. "There, now you cannot hurt yourself," sho said in Portuguese. "Let mo tell you something. So long as you remain quiet all will be well, but if you attempt violence or escape then you will be bound and placed by yourself also you will bring about the death of tlio Shepherdess yonder. Be warned, then, by me, white man, and turn gentle, for remember you aro in my power." "That is very clear, my estimable friend," answered Leonard, controlling his wrath as best he might. "But. for your sako I hope that tho hour will never come when you shall be in mine, for then I may remember all this. I do not iu tho laast understand what you arq aiming at, nor do I much care so long as a certain person is protected." "Do not fear, deliverer. She shall be protected. As you know, I hale you, and yet 1 keep you alivo because without you she might die. Thereforo for her sake lie careful. Attempt no violence toward mo or my father if wo visit you alono, for we shall do so in order that sho may not bo discovered, and tho moment that you lift a band against us will bo tho beginning of her doom. And now I must leave you for awhile, for something passes in the temple which I would see. If she awakes beforo I return, bo careful not to frighten her. Farewell." Thon Soa went, taking tho priests with her, and the massivn timber door was closed UDon the-1!.

Alter no nau restored ins various belongings to his pockets, the revolver and knife, which had been removed, excepted, Leonard turned down tlio rug and looked at Juanna, who appeared to ba plunged iu a deep and happy sleep, for thero was a smile upon her face. Then ho examined tho place where they wero confined. It had two doors, that by which they had entered and a sccond of equal solidity. Tho only other opening was the slit out of which Soa had dropped tho poison. It was shaped like an inverted loophole, the narrow end facing inward. This aperture attracted Leonard's attention both on ticcount of its unusual shape and because of tho sounds that readied him through it. Of these tho first and most pervading was a noiso of rushing water. Then after awhile he distinguished aroarasof amultitudo shouting that was repeated again and again at intervals. Now he knew where they must bo. They wero hidden away in the rock of the temple somewhere in tho immediato neighborhood of the raging pool that lay in front of tho colossus, and these sounds which ho heard rose from the people who watched tho fato of Otter and Francisco.

Juanna still slept heavily under tho influence of the drug, and he was glad of it, for when she woke it must bo to a worse misery than any that had gono before. Partly for something to do and partly because tho cravings of nature mado themselves felt even through his sorrows ho turned to the table and ate and drank of tho viands there, though not without fear that tlioy might bo doctored. As the food took effcct upon him somo sliaro of hope and courage entered into his heart, for it is a true saying that a mil stomach make! a bravo man. After all, tho two still breathed anil wero unharmed in body, nor was it absolutely certain that thej would b9 called upon to givo up tho ghost at present. This was much. Moreover, lie had lived long enough to win tho love of the fearless and beautiful girl whoslepl besido him, and though perhaps uiitiei such circumstances love, however true ami passionate, ceases to occupy a commanding placo in a man's heart, oven then lie felt that this was more, and tlint happiei days might dawn when it would be, if uol everything, at least most of all.

As ho thought thus ho saw color crcop into Juanna's palo face. Thon sho sighed, opened her eyes and sat up. "Wliero am

Tit"

sho said, glancing

around wildly. "This is not tho bed on which I lay down. Oh," and sho started, "is it over?" "Hush, dear, hush. I nm with you," said Leonard, taking her hand. "So I sco. But whero aro tho others, and what is this dreadful place? Aro we buried alivo, Leonard? It looks liko a tomb." _'^Not we ate only prisoperj. ..CoigQi eft I

and drink something, and then I will tell you tho story.'' Sho roso to obey him, and for the first timo her eyes fell upon tho robo she wore. "Why, this is Francisco's. Whero is Francisco?" "Eat and drink," ho repeated.

Sho did his bidding mechanically, watching his face tho while with wondering and frightened eyes. "Now," sho said, "tell me. I can beat this no longer. Whero aro Francisco and Otter?" "Alas, Juanna, they are dead!" ho answered solemnly. "Dead!" sho wailed.wringing her hands. "Francisco dead? Why, then, aro we still alive?" "Bear up and listen, Juanna. After you went to sleep in tho palace Soa came to us with a plan which wo accepted." "What was tho plan?" sho asked hoarsely.

Twico he strove to toll her, and twice lie failed. The words would not come. "Go on. Why do you torment me?". "It was this, Juanna—that Francisco should bo dressed in tho robo of Aea and offered up with Otter in your place, wliilo you were hidden away." "Has it been done?" sho whispered. "I believe so," Leonard replied, bowing his head to his breast. "Wo aro prisoners in secret cell beneath tho feet of tho statue. Thero havo been great noise and confusion without and now for some timo silence.

Then .Tuanna sprang up and stood over him, with (lashing eyes. "J.Iow dared you do this?" she said. "Who gave you leave to do it? I thought you wero a man. Now I see that you aro a coward." "Really, .Tuanna, it is useless for you to go on liko this. Whatever was dono was dono for your sake, not for that of anybody else." "Oh, yes, you say so now, but I believo that yon made a plot with Soa to murder Francisco in order that you might save your own life! I havo done with you. I will never speak to you again." "You can please yourself about that," answered Leonard, who by now was thoroughly enraged, "but I am going to speak to you. Look hero, you have said words to mo for which, wero you a man, I would do my best to bo avenged upon you. But as you aro a woman I can only answer them and then wash my hands of you. As you must know or will know when you como to your right mind, I would gladly have taken Francisco's place. But it was impossible, for had I attempted to dress myself up in tho robo of Aca I should instantly havo been discovered, and you would have paid tho price of my folly. Wo all knew this, and after we had consulted things wore arranged as I have told you. I only consented to your being brought here on tho condition that I was allowed to accompany you for your protection. Now I wish that I bad left it alono and gono with Francisco then perhaps I should have found peace instead of bitter words and reproaches. However, do not bo afraid, for I think it probable that I shall soon follow him. I know that you were very fond of this man—this hero— and also, either by accident or design, that you had succeeded in making him a great deal too fond of you for his peaco of mind. Therefore I mako excuses for your conduct, which, with all such deductions, still remains perfectly intolerable."

He paused and looked at her as sho sat on the edge of tho couch, biting her lip and glancing toward him now and again with a curious expression on her beautiful face, in which grief, pride and anger all had their share. Y'et at that moment Juanna was thinking not of Francisco and his sacrifice, but of tho man beforo her whom sho had never loved so well as now, when ho spoke to her thus bitterly, paying her back in her own coin. "I cannot pretend to match you in scolding and violence," she said. "Therefore I will givo up argument. Perhaps, however, whim you como to your right mind, you will remember that my lifo is my own and that I gave nobody permission to save it at tho cost of auotiur person's." "What is dono is dono," answered Leonard moodily, for his anger had burnt out. Another time I will not interfere without your express wish. By the way, my poor friend asked me to givo you these," and he handed licr tho rosary and tho notebook. "Ho has written something for you to read on tho last sheet of tho journal, and ho bade mo say that, should you livo to escape, he hoped that you will wear this,"and ho touched tho crucifix, "in memory of him, and also that you would not forget him 111 your prayers."

Juanna took tho journal, and holding it to tho light opened it at hazard. Tho first thing that sho saw was her own name, for in truth it contained, among many other matters, a record of tho priest's unhappy infatuation from the first moment of their meeting and also of his efforts to overcome it. Turning the pages rapidly, sho came to tho last on which thero was any writing. It ran as follows: ''Senora, of tho circumstances under which I write these words you will learn in duo course. Tho pages of this journal, should you deign to study them, will reveal to you my weakness. If I am a priest, 1 am also a man, who soon shall be neither, but, as I liopo, an immortal spirit, and the man in 1110 following those desires of tho spirit that find expression through tho llesh has dared to lovO you. forgive me this sin, as I trust it will bo forgiven elsewhere, though myself I cannot pardon it. Be happy with that noblo gentleman who has won your heart, and who himself worships you as you deserve. May you bo protected from all tho dangers that now surround you, as I think you will, and may the blessings of God bo with you for many peaceful years till at length you come to his own peace—tho peace that passeth understanding. And when from time to time vou think of mo mav vou couplo my name with certain holy words, 'Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his lifo for his friends.' Senora, farewell."

Juanna road this touching and noblo hearted adieu with an ever growing wonder, and when sho finished put down tho book, crying aloud: "Oh, what have I dono to doservo such devotion as this?" And then with a strango arul howildcring inconsistence sho flung herself into Leonard's arms, and burying her head upon his breast began to wee[).

When she was somewhat calmer, ho also read tho letter and closed tho book, saying: "Tho world is poorer by a very perfect gentleman. He was too good for any of MS, Juanna." "I think so," sho answered.

Just then they heard a sound without tho door. It opened, and Nam entered, accompanied by Soa. "Deliverer," said the aged priest, whoso countenaneo and troubled eyes boro traces of many conflicting emotions, "and you,

lence toward hor or 1110 that will bo tho signal for your deaths. With much toil and at no little risk to myself I havo spared tho lifo of the Shepherdess, causing tlio white man, your companion, to bo offered up in lier place." "Has that offering been accomplished?" broko in Leonard, who could not restrain his anxiety to learn what had happened. "I will bo frank with you, deliverer," answered tho high priest, when Juanna had translated his question, "since for once tho truth cannot hurt me, for now we know too much of ono another's secrets to waste time in bandying lies. I know, for instance, that the Shepherdess and the dwarf aro no gods, but mortal like ourselves, and you know that I havo dared to affront the true gods by changing tho victim whom they had chosen. The sacrifice litis been accomplished, but with so many signs and wonders that I nm bewildered. 'The Peoplo of the Mist aro bewildered also, so that none know what to think. Tho white man, your companion, was hurled fainting into the waters when tho dawn had broken upon tlio mountain and was seen to bo gray, but tlio dwarf, your servant, did not. wait to havo that odice dono for him, fur ho sprang thither himself—aye. and took ono with him." "Bravo, Otter!" said Leonard. "I knew that you would tlio hard." "Hard did lm die indeed, deliverer," said Nam, with sigh, "so hard that evei now many swear that, ho was a god and not a man. Scarcely had they all vanished in the pool when a wonder chanced such ns has not been told of in our records.

Deliverer, tlio white dawn turned to red, perchance, ns I cried to calm tho people, because tlio falso gods had met their doom." "Then tlio true ones must be singularly blind," said Juauna, "seeing that I, whom you daro to call falso god, am still alivo."

This staggered Nam for a moment, but ho rose to tho occasion.

"Yes, Shepherdess, you aro still alive," ho said, laying a curious emphasis 011 the "still." "And indeed," ho added hastl ly, "if you tiro not foolish, you may long remain so, both of you, for I havo 110 desire to shed your blood who only seek to spend my last days in peace. But listen to the end of the tale. Whilo tho people wondered at tho omen of tho changed dawn it was seen that tho dwarf, your servant, was not dead there in tho pool Aye, this was seen, deliverer. To and fro in tho troubled waters rushed tho great, water dweller, and after him, keepin paco with him, went that dwarf who was named Otter—aye, round and round and down to the lowest depths, though how it could bo that a man might swim with tlio snake none can say." "Oh, bravo, Otter!" stiid Leonard again, bethinking him of an explanation of the mystery, which he did not reveal to Nam. "Well, what was the end of it?" "That none knew for certain, deliver or," answered tho priest perplexedly. "At last tho water dweller, from whose mouth poured blood, was seen to sink, with tho dwarf. Thon ho roso again and entered tho cave, his homo. But whether tho dwarf entered with him or not I cannot say, for somo swear ono thing and some another, and in the foam and shadow it was hard to see. Moreover, none will ven ture thero to learn the truth." "Well, dead or alive, I10 made a good fight for it," said Leonard. "And now, Nam, what is your business with us?"

This question appeared to trouhlo the priest a little, for, to speak true, ho did not care to disclose the exact nature of hi.~ business, which was to separate Leonard from Juanna, without force if possible. "I came here, deliverer," I10 answered, "to toll you what had happened." "Exactly," said Leonard, "to tell

Shepherdess, I como to speak with you. donly cold, "and how shall I, who am As you see, I am alono except for this I held to bo dead, appear (.gain as a woman an, bqt shopld you attempt anv vio- wedded to your king? Surely tho peoplo

1110

that you havo murdired my best friend, and ono who but lately was called a god. I thank you for your news, Nam, and now, if I might mako bold to ask it, what: tiro your plans with reference to ourselves:' I mean until it suits you to solid us after our companions?" "Believe me, deliverer, my plan is to savo your lives. If the others havo been sacrificed, it was no fault, of mine, fo thero aro forces behind me that I cannot control even when I guido them. '1 land is in confusion and full of strango rumors. I know not what may happen during tho next few days, but till they aro over you must lio hid. This is a poor placo in which to dwell, but thero is none other safo and secret. Still hero is another chamber which you can use. Perchance you have already seen it," and placing his hand upon what appeared to bo a latch hi opened tho sccond door, which Leonard had previously noticed, revealing another cell of very similar construction to that in which they wero timl of somewhat larger size.

£%r a moment Juanna stood stupefied, for the maneuver had been so sudden that at first sho could scarcely realize its result. "Now, Shepherdess," began Nam blandly, "wo can talk in private, for I havo that to say to you which it is not fitting that otnor ears should hear." "You fiend," she answered fiercely. Then comprehending that strong language or remonstrance would bo useless added: "Speak on. I hate you." "Listen, Shepherdess, and for your own sako, I iniploro you, do not givo way to grief or rago. I swear to you that 110 harm shall come to yonder man if you will but do my bidding. Shepherdess, you are found out. I know and the peoplo know that you are 110 goddess. It had been safor to sacriflco you today, but partly because of tho pleading of my daughter, who loves you, anil partly for other reasons I havo caused you to bo saved alivo. Now, Shepherdess, from this country tliehi is no escapo. As you havo chosen to couio hero, lioro you must remain for life, and in this cell you cannot livo and dio. Therefore for my daughter's sako I havo cast about for a means to deliver you from bonds and set you high in tho land—aye, almost at its head," and he paused. "Perhaps you will come to the point," said .Tuanna, who was trembling with fear and anger. "It is this, Shepherdess," Nam answered, bowing. "Although you are dethroned as a goildoss, you may still shino as a queen and rulo ovor us as tho wife of our king."

would find that, strange, Nam." No, Shepherdess, for I havo mado a talo ready which shall explain the wonder, nd already the rumor runs from moutli to mouth. It will bo said that, you wero i* goddess and then-fore immortal, but that! for tho sake of love you have put off your godhead and put on the llesh that you: might, dwell for some years with him whom you desire."

Indeed?" said Juanna again. "An(I what if 1 refuse to consent to this scheme, which, as 1 think, can have come only from a woman's brain?" and sho pointed, to Soa. "You are right, Shepherdess," said Soa. 'The plan is mine. I mado it, lo savo you, and also," sho added coolly, 'to bo evenged upon that white thief who loves. you, for ho shall live to seo you thowifo another man, a, wild man." "And have you never thot:«l t, Soa, that 1 may have wishes of my own iu this matler?"

1

"See, deliverer," he went on, "hero is tho place," and stopped forward 1.0 en- your wish, but before evening we shall rotor tho cell, then drew back as though in orn to hear your answer. Do not attempt courtesy to allow Leonard to pass in bo- mischiel on yourself, for know that yon fore him. will be watched, though you cannot seo

For once Leonard's caution forsook

him, for at the moment he was thinking of other things. Almost mcclitmicully ho passed tho threshold. Scarcely were his feet over it when he remembered the character of his host and tho lodging and turned quickly to como back. It was too late, for even as lie turned the heavy timber door closed in his face with a clash, and I10 was caged.

CHAPTER XXV.

Indeed," said Juannn, turning sud-

Doubtless, yet tho fairest woman cannot always have what sho may chance to wish. Know, Shepherdess, that this niustf bo both.for own sake and for tho a! ol' Nam. ray father. Olfan loves you. and in these troubled times it is necessary.v• that Nam and the priests should have hit* support, and it has been bought, but now by tho promise that you will bo given tiv him in marriage on this very day. Foe you, Shepherdess, although you mighfi havo wished to wed ono of your own race, at tho least you will rule as a queen, anil that is better than to perish miserably."

I think otherwise, Soa," Juanna an-., swered calmly, for she saw that neither, passion nor pleading would help her, "and of the two I choose to'die," and sho put her hand to her hair, then started, for who found the poison gone. "You will choose to die, Shepherde--•," said Soa, with a cold smile, "but death iss not always so easy. I havo taken your medicine from you whilo you slept, anil hero there are no other means to compass,, it." .'7 "I can starve, Soa," replied Juanna, with dignity. "That takes some time, Shepherdess, and today you will become the wife of Olfan. Still it Is needful that, you should yourself consent to marry him, for th king is so foolir-h that he declares that lie will not weil you till you havo accepted him with your own moutli and in. the... presence of witnesses." "Then 1 fear that this wedding will" not! bo celebrated," said Juanna, with a bitter laugh, for she could not refrain from giving some, outward expression to all tho loathing which sho felt for this wicked!' woman, who in her fierce love wonTrt suvej the lifo of her mistress by selling her to! shame. "I think that it will, Shepherdess," answered Soa, "for it seems that wo havo a. way by which wo can win you to speak those words that Olfan desires to hear." "There is no way, Soa." "What, none? Think now. lie whom you name deliverer is a prisoner beyond that door. What if his lifo hangs upon vour words? What he wero shown in you about to it:o a teaiiut oeatti troin which you alono could s:ivo him by speaking that word?"

Now for the first time Juanna fully understood the hideous nature of the plot whereby Soa purposed either to force her to become the wife of a savage or to thrust upon her t-ho guilt of being the, cause, of tho death ol tlio man whom she loved and sank back on the couch, saying: ''Y'uti would havo dono better to lcavo 1110 yonder in the slave camp, Soa."

Then, abandoning the tone of forced calm in which sho had spoken hitherto, Soa broko out into bitter words: "When you wero in tho slavo camp. Shepherdess, you loved mo, who havo loved you from a child, for then no white dog had como to sow mischief between ua and make you halo and distrust, me. Then I would have died for you—ayo, and this I would do now. But also I would ho revenged upon the white dog, for I, who am hushandless and childless, had but tills ono thing, and I10 has taken it, from mo. You wero to mo us mother and lover and bubo are to other women—my all—and now 1 am left desolate and will be revenged upon him before 1 die. I'.ut I still lovo .vou, Shepherdess, anil could any other plan liavo boon found to help you 1 would not havo forced tills marriaue on you. No such plan can be found. Thus alono can you live and lie mado great and happy, and thus alono can I continue lo feast myoyoa upon you, though it I.10 from lar."

Sho ceased, trembling with the strength of tho passions that shook her, to which indeed her words had given but feeble expression. "Go," said Juanna. "I would liavo timo to think."

Then Nam spoke again. "We go, Shepherdess, In obedlenrrj to

l'lu

eyes that watch you, and if you do

but so much as lift a hand against your life or even strive to cut off the light that/ flows through yonder hole, then at onco you will bo seized and bound, and my daughter will be set to guard you. Shepherdess, farty.vel 1."

And they went, leaving Juanna alone and a prey to such thoughts as can scarcely bo written.

Tho day passed slowly, und at length the gloom gathering in tho little cell told her that night was near. Beforo it came, however, Soa and Nam entered, bearing: candles, which they flxod upon brackets in the walls. "Wo come, Shepherdess, to hear your answer," said Nam. "Will you consent to tako Olfan for a husband, or will yow not?" "I will not consent," answered Juannn, "Think again, Shophe-dess."

I ha ve ou t. You havo my answer." At tho words Nam seized licr arm, «aytng, "Como hither, Shepherdess, and yon shall see something," and ho led her to that door by means of which Ijoonard had been entrapped. At tho same timo Soij extinguished ono of tho candlcs, and taking tho other in her hand left tho coll, bolting tho door behind her- so that Kara anil Juanua stood in darkness. "Shepherdess," said Nam sternly, "you oro about to see him whom you name the deliverer. Now, remember this—if you cry out or speak above a whisper ho dies,"

TO BK CONTINUED,

I'(H¥'UrOW, Aug* 4

Special train via Clover Leaf and about one cent per mile rates from Cayuga and stations to Frankfort. Train will leave Cayuga 7:30 a. m., Veedersburg a. in., connecting* wilh Big Four No. 2, stopping at all intermediate stations, arriving at Frankfort i):30 a. m. Returning leave Frankfort 10 p. m. Delegations will be present from principal points within a radius of 100 miles. Liberal prizes.

C. C.

Jenkins,

\w

(ien. Paw. Agt.