Crawfordsville Weekly Journal, Crawfordsville, Montgomery County, 29 July 1898 — Page 7

THE PEOPLE OF THE MIST.

Bj

H.

RIDES IIAGG^vVD.

roocyrlcht,

1SG3, br tho Author. 1

Juanna made liu answer, aitliougli sho felt her In art grow faint within her. Five minutes or

jiu.hi

passed, and of a sudden

a i)tiin.'1 .slid back in the upper part of tho door which connected the two cclls, so that Juanna could seo through it, although tho.-o who stood on tho farther sido could not, seo her, for they wero in light, and .-he was in darkness.

And this was what she saw: Ranged ngain.it- tho wall of tho seconVl prison and opposite to her wero three priests holding candles in their hands, whoso light shone upon their sullen, cruel faces and the snake's head tattooed on their naked breasts. In Iront of these men stood two other priests, and between them Leonard, bound and gained. On the ol her side of tho cell and not moro than two feet from tho door, through the open panel of which Juanna was looking, was Sua, on whom the eyes of the executioners wero fixed, as though awaiting a command. Between Sua «nd these men yawned an open hole in tho rock Hour.

When Juanna had gazed upon this scone somo fco seconds, tho sliding panel was closed, apparently by Soa, and Xam spoke: on have seen, Shepherdess," ho said, "that the deliverer is bound, and you have also seen that before him is a hole in the floor (.ft'tlii*. reek. Ho who falls down that hole, Shepherdess, finds himself in the den of tho snake beneath, from tiw visiting of whom no man has ever returned alive, for it is through it that wo feed tho water uwell"r at certain seasons of tho year and when there is no sacrifice. Xmv, fchephmtess, you must choose between two things—e it her towed Olfan of your own i'reo will this night or to seo the deliverer thrown to tho snake before vmir eyes and afterward to wed Olfan whether you will or not. What do you say, ShcpJierdess?"

Juannatook counsel with herself and came to the conclusion that she would resist little longer, for she thought this sceno had been planned to try her fortitude. "I refuse to marry Olfan."

Ihen Xam opened lie panel and whispered a word into the cur of Soa, who uttered a command. Instantly tho two executioner prieits flung Leonard on to his face upon the ground, an easy task, seeing that his legs were fastened with ropes, dragged him forward until his head hung over the oublietteliko hole. Then they paused, as though awaiting for .sonio further order. Nam drew Juanna some few paces back from the door. 'V\ hat is your word now. Shepherdess?" she said. ''Is the man to die or bo saved? Speak swiftly.

1

Juanna glanced through tho opening and saw that now Leonard's head and shoulders had \anished down ho oubliette while one of the priests held him by the ankles, watching Soa for the sign to let hi in go. "Loose him," said Juanna faintly. "I will marry Olfan."

Stepping torward. Xam whispered to Soa, ho isMied anoi hor eu'der. .Thereupon the priests drew Leonard bark from his perilous position and rolled him to the side of the cell unwillingly enough, for they would have preferred to bo rid of him. .-vt that moment also tho shutter was closed. "I said loose him," repented Juanna. "Xow the man lies on the ground like a falk'U tr».o unable to move." "X'ay, Shepherdess,'' replu Xam, "perchance you may yet change your mind, and then it, would be troublesome to bind him afresh, lor lie is very strong and violent. X'ow listen, Shepherdess. When Oltan comes presently to ask your hand, jou miibt say nothing of that- man yonder, for he deems him to be dead, and the moment that you speak of him ho will bo dead. I)o you understand?"

I understand," answered Juanna, "but at least the gag might- be taken from his mouth." 'Tear r.of, Shepherdess. It shall bo dono when you lnivo spoken with Olfan. And now at what hour will it bo vour pleasure to see him!'" "When you will. The sooner it is finished tho better." "Good. My daughter," he added to Soa, who just then entered theccll, "bopleased to make fire and thou sii^nyion tho king Olfan, wlio waits without."

Soa departed upon her u'.^ overthemotl.-.^ which she would not '.'anna sank upon tho conch, hiding nor face in her hands. For awhilo there was silemce, and then tho door opened again, and, heralded by Soa, Olfan, the king, stood before her. "lie careful, Shepherdess," whispered Xam as thoy entered. "Olio word, and tho deliverer dies."

CHAPTER XXVI.

-Tor awhilo there was silence. Then Juanna looked up, searching Olfan's face with licr eyes. Xothing was to bo read there, for it was impossible to pierce tho mask of solemn calm bfiilpflth Yfii'ch, in common with all his race, tho kin-was accustomed to hide his thoughts." Ho leaned on the shaft of his broad spear 1 head slightly bowed, as though ty, his dark eves fixed n*-*

a mingled look of

a

num 1

jn 5l0r faco with

Immovabi" .- .vender and supplication, dig"' impassive, picture of savage .—iv-, ''fJjieak, Olfan," said Juanna at length. '•But a few hours sineo I thought you flood, for witlr all tho thousands in tho temple I believed that it was your fair body which Xam hurled at dawn from tho brow of tho stat ue, and I tell you that when I saw it I, who am a warrior, wept ciul cursed myself, because, though I Was

kintr, I had no p&wertoii'Wo you. Afterward this man, the high priest, tame to nie, telling iiio tho truth and a plan that he had. n'iatio for his own ends, whereby you ihight bo saved alive and lifted up among tho pcoplo and ho also might bo saved tuid my rule as king ho mado sura in tlie land." And lie ceased. ,t is this pi tmna after a pause. "Queen, it is, thai. v.Yu should wed me Imd appeal before tho people no elonger as a goddess, but as a woman wh«» ha-s put tho flesh for'her lovo's sake.. I know well that I tun nil unworthy of such honor, und, moreover, thai your ho.artmu.it bo sore "with the loss of one who was dear to you and little set upon the finding of another husband also I remember certain words that passed between us .and a promise that 1 .••!! things t'jitl to and ho answered me, saying that the matter was urgent that hero you eould not bo hid away for long, and that if I did not tako you to wifo then you must die."

And oneo moro ho bowed his head, leaned upon his pnear and was silent.

JuaniTa Foe.-'iVo uiT'liosn'nTli ra])idly. It was hopeless tnd cruel. Xam and So wero on either side of her, the hitter standing near the door with the siding panel beyond which Leonard lay bound, and she knew well that. d:d she speak a single word of the truth to Olfan it would lie the signal for her lover's deatii. It was possible that She king might be able to protect her own person from violence, but. if Leonard died il mattered littlo what became ol her. There was but one thina that she could do—declare herself willing to become the wife of Olfan, and yet it seemed shameless thus to treat- tiiis honorable man, the only friend that they had found among tho People of the .Mist." But of a truth such necessities as hers cannot wait while Ihose in their toils weigh scruples or tho law of honor. "Olfan," she said, "I have heard you. and this is my answer: I will take you as my husband. You know my story. You know that he who was my lord is but this, day dead"—here Soa smiled approvingiv at tho lie—"and that I loved iuni. Therefore of your gentleness you will accord mo some few weeks before 1 pass from him to ynti, in which I may mor.ru my widowhood. I will ,say no more, but surelj' you can guess lie sorrow of mv heart and all that I have left unsaid." "It shall bo as you wish, queen," replied Olfan, taking her hand and kissing it, while his somewhat sad face grow ra-diant-with happiness. "You shall pass into mv keeuintr at that timo which best, pleases you, yet I fear that in ono matter you must lie troubled,now. this very hour.'' "What may that be, Olfan?" asked Juanna anxiously. "Only this, queen—that tho rite of marriage as we practice it. must bo celebrated between us. It is necessary for many reasons that- will bo made clear to you tomorrow. Moreover, such was my bargain with Xam, sealed by an oath sworn upon the blood of Aca, an oath that I do not dare to break"." "Oh, no, no!" said Juanna in acute distress. Think, Ollan, how can I, whose husband is not dead six hours, vow myself to another man upon the altar of his grave? Oivo me some few days, I

pray

you." ".Most willing' .- would I do this, queen, but I may no!. It, is against my oath. Also what can it matter? You shall remain alone lor so long as it shall please you."

Then Xam spoke for tho first timo, say-

"Shepherdess,Waste" no" b'Mith in words, for learn that, though this garment of modesty is becoming to one, new widowed, yet you must put it from you. Mure hangs upon this ceremony than you know of. The lives of many hang upon it, our own perchance among them, and more immediately the life of ono of whom it docs not become me to speak," and as though by accident In: let Lis eyes rest upon the door of the adjoining cell.

Of his auditors Olfan thought l.hat he was alluding to his own life, but Juamia and his daughter knew well that ho spoke of that of Leonard, which would be sacrificed did tho former persist in hor objections to the instant celebration of trie marriage. "\ou hear his words, queen," said Olfan, "and there is weight in them. The times are very dangerous, and if our plot is to be carried through before midnight I must make oath to tho captains and the council of the peopl'o that you have come back from death to he my wife." "Maybe," answered Juanna, catching at a straw in her despair, "but must 1, who shall be set over this people as queen, bo married thus in secret? At tho least I will have witnesses. Let some of tho captains y.ho:i you trust, Olfan, bo broughthere to see us wed otherwise tho time may come when I shall bo held to be no true wife and there are

110:10

my honor by their words." "There is littlo fear of such a thing, queen," answered^ Olfan, with a faint smile, "yet your words are just. I will lead three of my captains here, men who will not betray us, and they shall be witness to this rite," and he turned as though he would go to seek them. "Do not leave me," said Juanna, catching him by the wrist. I trust you, but tlieso two I do.not.trust. 1 lear.to bo left alone." "There'i? no* need for witnesses, king," exclaimed Xam in a threatening voice. "The Shepherdess has asked for witnesses, and she shall have them," answered Ollan fiercely. "Old man, you havci played with me long enough. Hitherto I have been your servant. Xow I will bo your masfei'. Some few hours ago your life was forfeit to me, for the wI),Ho clown had turned jo red, and I ni&uit to take it, but-you bribed irlc witli Lis bait," and ho pointed to Juanna. "Xaj*, do not lay your hand upon your knife. You forget 1 have my spear. Your priests are without, I know it, but so are my captains, and I have told them where I am. If I vanish as many vanish here, my lifo will bo required at your hands, for, Xam, your spell is broken. Xow obey me. Bid that woman summon him who guards without. Xo you do not stir!" And ho lifted tho spear till its keen blue point quivered over tho high priest's naked breast. "Bid her go to tlie door and summon tho guard, I said. To the door, but not beyond it, or beware.''

X* -"Ofl Aiim was cuvy":. IIis tool had become his master'. 'Obey," he said to Soa. "Obey, but-

110

Tiio woman slipped past them to the door, snarling like a wolf, and opening it a little way whistled through the crack. ''Hide yourself, queen," said Olfan.

Juanna retreated into tho shadow behind tho candle, and that moment a voice spoko through tho open door, saying, "I am here, father." ^-'zS~s "Xow specie," said O1m.i1, advancing the spear an inc^ nearer Nam's heart. '"My scn.'j said Xam, "go to the entrqn.CO ]jy \Ybieh tho king entered, whore "j'oti shall find three captains, giaYerals of the king. Lead them hither. ''And seo that you spc^R to ..to ono on tho way," whispered olfan I'a Sam's ear. "And see that you speak to

Homo tell iinnutes passed, and tho door opened again. ''Tho captains are here," said a voice. "Let them enter," said Nam

The order was obeyed, and three great men armed with spears stalked into tho narrow chamber. One of them was brother to tho king, and tho two others wero hla chosen friends. 1'hen the door closed. "My brethren," said Olfan, "I havo sent for you to acquaint you with a mystery and toask you to witness a rite. Aca, wilt) this day

Was hurled into tho pool of.

the snake, has returned to earth as a woman and is about to become my wito." Here tho captains started. "Kay, brethren, ask 110 questions. T-heso things aro so. It is cvough. Xow, priest, play your part."

At last it was done, and onco moro Olfan was bowing beforo her and kissing her hand.

"Greeting, Shepherdess! Hail, queen of tho People of tho Mist!" he said, and the captains repeated his WQrds.

Juanna awoke from her stupor. What was to be done now? sho wondered. What could be done? Everything seemed lost. Then in her despair an inspiration took her. "It is true that I am a queen, is it not, Olfan?" "It is true, lady." "And as tho queen of tho People of tho Mist I have, power, havo I not, Ollan?" "Even to life and death," ho answered gravely, "though if you kill you must answer to tho council of tho ciders to me. All in this land aro your servants, queen, and no2,ie dare disobey you except

111c,

to establish

011 mat­

ters ot religion." "Good!" said she, then, addressing tho captains in a folio of command, added, "Seize that man who is named Xam and the woman with him."

Olfan looked astonished, and tho cantains hesitaled. As for Xam, ho did not hesitate, but made a bound toward tho door. "Stay awhile, Nam," said tho Slug, making a barrier beforo him with his spear. ''Doubtless tho queen has reasons, and you would wish to hear them. Hold them, my captains, sineo tho queen commands it."

Then tho three men sprang ttpon them. Onco Xam tried to draw a knife but, failing in his attempt, ho submitted without further struggle. With So:i it was different. Sho bit and tore like a wildcat, and Juanna saw that sho was striving to reach the panel and speak through it.. "On your livosdo not suffer hor toeomo to that door," sho said. -"Presently you shall know why."

Then the brother of the king dragged' Soa to tho couch, and throwing her down upon it stood over her, his spear point at her throat. "Xow, queen," said Olfan, "your will is done, and perhaps it may please you to explain." "Listen, king, and listen you, captains," she answered. "These liars hero told you that tho deliverer was dead. Is it not*so? IIo is not dead. IIo lies bound in yonder cell, but had I spoken a word of it to you then ho would havo died. Olfan, do you know how my consent was won to be your wife? A shutter within that door was opened, and he, my husband, was shown to

gagged and bound and being held

over the mouth of a hideous pit in the floor of his prison that leads I know not where. 'Consent, or he dies,' they said, and for my love's sake I consented. This was the plot, Olfan, to marry me to you partly because tho woman yonder, who was" my nurse, did not desire my death and partly that Xam might uso

1110

to savo himself

from the anger of tho people. But do not think that you would havo kept me long, Olfan, for this was in tho plot .also—that when you had served their purpose you should die' by secret means, as on who knew too much." "It is a lie," said Xam. "Silence," answered Juarina. "Let that door ho opened, and you shall see if I havo lied." "Wait awhile, queen," said Olfan, who appeared utterly overcome. "If I understand you right, your husband lives, and therefore you say that tho words that wo have spoken and the oaths that wo havo Eworn mean nothing, for you aro not my wife." "That is so, Olfan." "Then now I am minded to turn wicked and let him die, "said tho king slowly, "for know this. Shepherdess, I cannot givo you up."

Juanna grew palo as death, realizing that this man's passions, now that onco ho had given them away, had passed beyond control. "I cannot givo you up," he repeated. "I-Iavo I not dealt well with you? Did I not sny to you, 'Consent or refuse, as it enall pleaso j-otl, but Laving orico consented you must not go back upon your words?' V, hat havo I to do with tho reasons that prompted them? My heart heard them and believed them. Queen, you aro wed to me. Those oaths that, you havo sworn may not bo broken. It is too late, now you aro mine, nor can I suffer you to pass from me back to another man, even though ho was your husband beforo mo." •'But tho deliverer! Must I then becomo my husband's murderer!''' "Nay, I will protect him, and, if it may be, find means to send him from the land."

Juanna stood silent and despairing, and at this moment Soa, lying 011 tho couch, bj'piie into a shrill and mocking laugh that stung hoi .yko.il whip and roused her from her lethargy." ... .".King," she said, "I am at your mercy, not through any wanton folly of my own, hut because i'uto has ijiado a'spo 't gf._me. King, you have been hardly used, and, as you say, hitherto you have dealt well with me. Xow I pray you let tho end lie as the beginning was, so that I may always think of you as tho noblest among men. except one who died this day to savo me. King, you say you love

1110.

bled faco w'

110

Tell me, then, if my

life hung upon a word of yours, would that word remain unspoken? Such was my case. I spoke tho word, and for ono short hour I betrayed you. Will you, whoso heart is great, bind mo by such an oath as this, an oath wrung from

1110

1

ono on

tbo way," re,yeated Xarn. 'I hear you, fathsr," replied the' pi'iest and went.

to save my

darling from tho power of those dogs? If this is so, thai I havo erred strangelv in my reading of your mind, for till

1

more," echoed Olfan.:

^. 1 .-l- ,you%rtrO a man who would ponSii ere ho suffered his moro evil part to lorco a helpless woman to be his wife, ono whose crlnio was that sho deceived him to save her husband."

She paused, and claspinr though "in prayer luo^,.^

".r-r nalids a?

Up into his trou-

•1 beseeching eyes, then,

Hoi speak, went on:

"King, I havo one moro word to say. You are vbCs etrongest., and you can tako mOj blit you cannot hold me, for that hour would be my last, and you would bo but tho richer by your broken honor and a dead bride."

Olfan was about to answer when Roa, fearing lest Juanna's pleading should prevail against his passion, broko in, saying: "Be not fooled, king, by-u woman's pretty speeches or by her id!o threats that sho will kill herself. Sho will not kill herself. I know .her well. Sho loves her 1 to too much, and soon, when you aro wed, sho will love you also, for ic is the nature of us women to worship those who master us. Moreover, that man, tho deliverer, i3 not her husband, except in name. For months I havo lived with them, and I know it. Take her, king, tako her now, this hour, or livo to mourn her loss and your folly all your life's day." "I will not answer that slave's falsehoods," said Juanna, drawing herself up and speaking proudly, "and It were more worthy of you not to listen to them, king.

I havo spoken. Now do your will. Bo great or little, be noble or bo base, as vonr nature leads you."

And suddenly sho sank to tho ground,

and

shaking her long hair about her facs and arms burst into bitter weeping. Twico tho king looked at her. Then I10 turned his brj»d as thonali hodnre look no

more and spoke, keeping his eves fixed upon the wall. "Rise, queen," ho said hoarsely. "Ceaso your tears, since you aro safe, from me. Xow as always I live to do your will, but I pray yon hide your face from me as much as may be, for, lady, mv heart Is broken with love for you, and I cannot bear to look o:i that which-1 havo lost."

Still sobbing, butnlled with admiration and wonder that a savage could bo thus generous, Juanna rose and began to murmur thanks, while the captains stared and Soa mocked and cursed them both. "Thank

1110

not," ho said gently. "It

seems that you who can read all hearts liavo read mine aright, or perclianco you fashioned it as you Would liavo it. iio. And now, having done with \ovo, let us to war. Woman, what is the secret of that door?" "Find it for yourself," snarled Soa. "It is easy to open when oneo you know the spring—likrt a woman's heart, Olfan. Or il you cannot find it, then it can bo forced—like a woman's love, Olfan. Surely you who aro so skilled in tho winning of a bride need not seek my counsel as to the opening of a door, for when 1 gave it but- now upon tho first of these matters you would not hearken, Olfan, but were melted by the sight of tears that you should have kissed away."

Juanna heard, and from that moment made up her mind that if she could she would givo

Soa

to doom. X"or was it won­

derful, for fow women eould have pardoned what sho had suffered at her hands. "Drive the spear into her till sho speaks, comrade," said Olfan. Then Soa gave up making and told tho secret of tho door-

CHAPTER XXYir.

After ho had rested awhilo at the bot-tom-o!' tho glacier Otter set to work to explore the cliff

011

tho top of which ho found

himself, with tho view of descending it and hiding himself at its foot till nightfall, when he hoped to find tho means of re-enb'i'ing the city and putting himself in communication with Olfan. Very soon, however, he discovered that- if he was to return at all ho must follow tho same route hv which he had come.

Evidently 1110 tunnel sloped upward very sharply, for ho was standing

011

tho brow

of a precipice cut into three steps, which, taken together, may havo measured some !300 feet in height, and, so far as he could see, it: was utterly impossible to descend any of these cliffs without the aid of ropes. Nor could hecontinuo his investigations over a wide aroaj for abcjyt 400 pacef to tho left of the opening to the subterranean pa.-».ue—whereof, by the way, ho was very careful to note the exact position—tho mountain pushed out a snowy shoulder, with declivities so precipitous that ho dared not trust himself on them.

Then he tried tho right hand side, but with r.o better luck, for hero he was stopped by a yawning rift in tho rock. Xow Otter sat down and considered tho situation.

The day was still young, and he knew that it would be foolish to attempt escape from tin1 pool before dark. Infrontof him tho mountain rose steeply till, so far as he could judge, it. reached a pass that lay somo two miles off, at 1110 base of the main peak, on whoso snows tho priests had watched tho breaking of the dawn. Part of this declivity was covered with blocks of green ice, but here and there appeared patches of earth,

011

which grew stunted

trees, shrubs and even grass and flowers. Being very hungry, it occurred to Otter that he might find edible roots among this scanty vegetation, and with this hope he began to climb the slope, to bo rewarded in duo course by the discovery of a vegetablo that he recognized, for it was the samo which had been offered to him on the occasion of his unlucky outbreak that had resulted in the casting away of the rubies.

With this poor food the dwarf filled himself, and having found a bough that mad^ him an excellent staff

I10

continued

to climb, desiring to see what there might be

011

the other side of the ncck. Arriving there without any great difficulty, Otter stood astonished, although in a general way I10 was not much given to admiring scenery. Below him lay the City of the Mist., with its shining belt of rivers that, fed from the inexhaustible mountain

buows

meandered across tho vast

plains, no longer hidden in mist, which they had trodden

011

their journey. Above

his head tho mighty peak towered thousands of feet into the air till it ended in a summit shaped like a human linger pointing eternally to the heavens. Before him the sceno was even stranger, made up as it was of snowy fields broken by ridges ot black ro.-l and laid ono beneath tin other like white sails drying upon the slopes of a sand hill. (.iradually,as tiio eye traveled downward, theso S iow/ie]d.i grew fewer and fewer till at last tney Vanished altogether and their place was taken first o.y Stretches ot grass land and linaiiy, at tho foot of the mountain, by what seemed to bo a rich and level country interspersed with clumps of husb and forest trees.

The first of these snowlields lay within three furlongs of whero the dwarf stood, but several hundred feet below him. Between the neck of tho pass and this field stretched a mighty rift or chasm, with hides so sheer that no goat could have kept a footing on tfiem'. Yet this gulf was not without its brldue, {'r'C rising frum tJio bottom of t.i-.n ohafm wlis a rock wall that formed tho lied of a glacier which spanned it from sido to side, being in somo places comparatively leye^ and in others having descents almost as sfiarp af those a waterfall. This remarkaljle bridge of iee/infit varied from 100 paccs to a few yards in width, was bordered 011 either sido by tho most fearful precipices, whilo just, where its fall was sharpest and its width narrowest it seemed to spring across a spaco of nothingness like tho arch of a Bridge thrown from bank to bank of a liver. Indeed at this point its lino became so attenuated that in tho glittering sunlight Otter could not bo sure that it was not broken through for a distance of some yards.

Being of an inquiring mind, tho dwarf decided to satisfy himself upon tho matter. All around him lay slabs of roek, somo of which were worn perfectly smooth and to tho thinness of a tombstone by centuries of polishing in tho iron jaws of glaciers. Selecting one of tlieso of convenient size, Otter-approached the edge of tho bridge, pushing tho stone before him over tho frozen snow. Hero tiio ice was perfect except for a slight hoar frost that covered it, for tho action of tl.e wind provented the snow from gathering on it, arid whenever tho sun was strong enough to iirelt its surface it froze again at night, so that no slide upon a. parish pond could have been more slippery or free from ine qualities.

Otter gavo his stono a push, and away it went, sometimes swiftly and sometimes at a trifling speed, according to the naturo of tho angle down which it passed, leaving a bright green ribbon upon tho ico in its wake, whence it swept tho hoar frost as it sped. Once or twico ho thought that it was going to stop, but it never did stop. At lencth it annroached tho tee

narrowest part of the descent, down which it rushed with fearful velocity. ''Xow I shall seo whether tho bridge is broken," thought, Otter, and just then tho stone, traveling like an arrow, came to that! portion of tho glacier where, for a width difficult to estimate, it strvtehed unsupported over space and measured

only

some lew feet across. On it rushed, then seemed to leap into the air and once more sped forward till it reached the farther slope of snow, tip which it traveled for a distance and stopped, appearing, even to Otter's keen sight, no larger Hum a midge upon a tablecloth. "Xow, if a man hail been seated 011 that stone, he would havo passed the bridge in safety," said Otter to himself, "yet it is one that few would care to travel-...unless sure death were behind."

Then he determined to make a second experiment, and selecting another and somewhat, lighter stono ho sent it upon its journey. It followed precisely tho samo cour.io as its predecessor, but wh. 11 it came to tho knii'o. blado of tho bridge it vanished. "Xow, I am sorry for that stone," thought Otter, "for doubtless it, (hat has been whole for many years, is at this moment only littlo pieces."

A third timo he repeated his experiment. choosing ho heaviest roek that he could niovo. This messenger also leaped into the air at llie narrowest portion of tho bridge and then passed 011 in safety to tho slope of snow beyond. "A strange place," thought, Otter, "and I pray that it may never bo my lot to ride one of those stone horses."

Then he turned down tho mountain again, for the afternoon was advancing. When ho readied the entrance to tho river bed, sunset was at hand. For awhilo ho sat watching the failing light and eating 601110 more roots which I10 had gathered! Then he crawled into tho passage and commenced his darksomo journey toward the homo of the dead water dweller, though what ho was to do when lie got, there ho did not know. Xo accident, befell him, and in duo course ho arrived safely, his journey being much facilitated by the staff lio bore, which enabled him to feel his way like a blind man.

Creeping to the edge of the poo], he listened to its turmoil, for tho shadows were gathering so fast, that, with tho exception of somo ghostlike shapes of foam, he could not seo the surface of tho water. "Xow, if 1 go in there, how can I get out ngaii)?" he thought sadly. "After all, perhaps I should have dono better to return whilo it was still "light, for then 1 iy tho help of my staff and tho rope I might have made shift to climb tho overhanging ledge of rock, and to try this now wero madness. I will go back and sit hi tho cavo with the ghosts of the god and his dead till the morning conies again, though I do not, crave tlnir company."

So he retreated a few paces and sat in silenco near tho tail of the dead crocodile. After awhile loneliness took hold of him. He tried to sleep and could not, for it seemed to him that he saw eyes stating at him from the depths of tho cavo and heard dead men whispering to each other tales of their dreadful ends. Moment by moment his fears grew upon liini, and Otter was very superstitious. Xow ho fancied that he could distinguish the head of tho reptile lined in fire and resting 011 the edgo of the roek as I10 had seen it that morning. '"Doubtless." he thought, ''this monster is a devil and has come to lifo again to be revenged upon me. Wow, I liked him better when he was in the flesh than now, that he has turned himself into fire." Then, to comfort himself, I10 began to talk aloud, saying: "Otter, unlucky that you arc. why did you not- die at once instead of living on to be tormented by ghosts? Perhaps your master, the baas, whom alone you love, is dead now and waits for you to 011110 and serve him. \ou aro very tired. Say, now, Otter, would it not be well if yo'u took that rope which is about your middle and hung yourself? Thus you, too, would become a ghost and be able to do bat lo wil them in tlnir own fashion," and lie groaned aloud.

Then of a sudden he grew fearful indeed. The short wool stood up upon his head, his teeth chattered, and a ho said afterward his very nose seemed to grow cold with terror, for as he sat, ho heard or seemed to hear a voice speaking (o him from the air, and that, voice was his master's. "Otter, Otter," said the voice. lbmade 110 answer. Ho was too frightened. "Otter, is that, you?" whispered the voice again.

Then ho spoke. "Yes, baas, it is I. I know that, you aro dead and call me. Givo 1110 one minute till I can undo my rope, and I will kill myself and come to you." "Thank you, ..Otter," r-aid the voic •. with a gha-Uy atiempt at. a I- u:fh, but if it is all bo Mnne would much raUi'.-r I that you came Hive." "Yes, baas, ami 1. too, 'would rather Ml op alive, but b.i.'vi alive how can I join you who are dead?" "You fool,. I am not dead," saiii Leonard. 5

Then, baas, how i-i it that von speak out of the air? Come rear to mo that I may touch you and be comforted." I "I cannot, Otter, am bound and in jv prison above you. There is a hole in I tiio (loor, and if you have a rope, as 1 heard you say, perhaps you eould climb I 1111 In fun I ue dv.arf began to understa^'h Rising, lie stretched tiio long staff ho had with him high abovo his head and found to liis delight that ho could touch tiio roof of tho cave. Presently tho point of tho staff ceased to press upon tho rock. "It is here, but you must throw tho stick up like a spear Hi rough tho hole, for

I nra tied and cannot put out my hand to take it." "Stay awhile, baas. First I must mako tho line fast to it." "Good, but, bo swift, for I am in danger."

1

dcs

and

Hurriedly Otter undid tho hido rope from about his middle, knotting it securely to the center ot mo stick. Then somo livo feet below tho stick ho mado a loop largo enough for a man to placo his foot in, and having ascertained the exact situation of the opening in tho roof of the cavo I10 hurled tho stick upward and jerked at tho line. "It is fixed," whispered Leonard from above. "Xow como up if you can." 'l'ho dwarf required no second invitation. Seizing tiio rope as high as ho could reach abovo his head, ho began to drag himself tip hand over hand, no easy task, for tho hido cord was thin and cut his lingers and his right leg, round which he had twisted it to get a better purcliaso.

Presently, however, lie succeeded in setting his foot in the loop ho had prepared, when ho found that his head and shoulders wero in tho hole, and that by reach-

ing upward ho eould grasp tho staff, I whioh lay acros3 it. Tho rest was easy, and within half a minute ho was gasping I at his master's side. "Havo you a knifn. Otter?"

es, baas, my small one. The big one® aro down thero,, I will tell you that story 'and by." "Never mind tho story now, Otter. Mv hands are tied behind my back. Feel for the lashings and cut. them. Then givo

Just then Otter sprang to his

1110

tho knile, that I may free my legs." Otter obeyed, and presently Leonard rose and stretched himself with a sigh of'., relief. "Where la tho Shepherdess, baas?" "Theie, in tho next ell. They separated me from her, and sineo then I ,va been dangled by the legs over that hole, bound and gagged, I. fancy, in order to persuade her to consent, to somethifjo or other by the sight, of my danger, for doubtless sho was placed where sho CC-alll seo all. Then they left me, and 1 i:n'US? x¥[ to spit out the gag, but I eotild not the cords. I expect that they will sooa ba back again." "Then had we not better tlv, baas? S h.avo found a passage that leads to the mountains."

Ho can wo tiy and leave tho Shepherdess. Otter?.. ..Since I havo, been' held down the hoi oil',.,' t-.vo men havo vlsitcii n\o fronrti-iv.ii W'

k:

for they think me help—

less. Let us seize those men when they come in and lake their knives, for we an unarmed. Then we, can think also wc shall have el keys." "Yes, baas, we may do that. You til^Ei the si.-iff. If Is stout." "And what will you use?" asked Leonard. "Fear not., baas. Do these men 1 cai' lights?" WS "Yes." "Then ini wo minutes I will iiiak

k?-,

a weapon." And untying tho hide rope from he slick he began to fumble at II busily. 'Xow I am reaily, bans," ho said pres.cully. ''Where shall we stand?" "Here," answered Leonard, leading him to the door. "We will crouch down in thoshadow, one ,,n either sldo of this door, imd when the priests have entered end closed it, and begin to look round i'o-* mo then we will spring

upon

them. Only,

Otter, there must bo no bungling and no noise." "I think that, there will bo none, 1 'n ?, 'They will be too frightened to cry ov first, and after that they will become dumb." "Otter," whispered Leonard as itiuy stood in the dark, "did you kill tho watev dweller?" "\es, yes, baas," ho chuckled In answer. "I caught him with thehook that "J made ready, but he did not die easily, baas, and if I had not been able to swiio Woll he would have drowned me." "I hoard something of it from Nam," said Leonard. You aro a wonderful fellow. Oiler." "Oh, baas, it was

110

valor of mine!.

When 1 saw his eyes, 1 was hon'ihly afraid, only 1 thought- how gladly youwould havo attacked him had you .irt-n there, and what a coward you would hold me could you havo seen me shivering liko a little girl before a big lizard, and t! ."x. thoughts gave me courage." "Oh, that, is all very well," replied Leonard and suddenly added: "IJu.ihi Bo tvady!"

As lie spoke the door opened, anil ,wo great, priests came through it, one of tlieui bearing a candle. He who boro the lighs. turned to shut the door, for he suspectodfc nothing. Then, at one and the same Instant, Leonard, emerging from the shadow, dealt the firl pri"st a blow upon

(.'10

head with his staff, which stunned ,i' jh did not kill him, lor lie fell like an ov I 0neatli tho foleax, while Oiler, standing whero ho was, dexterously cast his hido 1'opo about tho throat of thesecemd man and drew the noose tight

Willi

a jerk

brought him to llie earth. In iio see .ods it, was all over. Tho men, who were thu samo that had held Leonard suspended in tho oubliette, lay senseless or dead the dwarf and his master were engaged in possessing themselves of their kni\es and keys by the light of the candle, which, though it had fallen to tho ground, fortunately remained burning. "That was well done. Otter," said Leonard, "and 1 am not ashamed lo have dono it, lor Ihe-o devils kicked me when was. iiinil. Xow we am aimed and have tiio keys. What next?-''

feet,

cry­

ing: "Look out, baas. Here come moro." Leonard glanced up to see, and, behold) the second door in the cell was opened, and through it came Juanna, Olfan, Xam, Soa and three other men, 1'or a moment there was silence.

1

Then'

ono of llie captains cried out: "See! ,)•!, the god, has come back, and already ho 9jaims his victims!" And ho pointed to the two priests'. '1 hen followed a scene oT confusion, tot even Olfan andX'am were amazed at .what teemed to them lil.ile short of it miracle, for, while Leonard and Juanna had only cyis tor each oilier, 1 he three eap.t,-r.ns flared at Otter like men \yho think ...they ,., sae a ghost..

Only one pi mm in thnfeoinpany fcenfew-, her-head, and that person was Sou. Tluv 'captain who guarded her had loosed bl.r hold. Silently sho slunk back into tho shadows, and, unseen of any, vanished through the doorway by which she had been led in. A minute pa&seil, and inter, thinking that, ho heard a noise without thai door of I lie ceil by which the two priest: had entered and which had been.' left aiar, went to junl tne^l lo open itr,,,, Just then also (yllan missed Soa. _Wheie Is tho woman, Xam's daaglitor?" lie cried. "It seems that sho lias escaped and sliut us in, king," answered Otter calmly.

Followed by the. others, Olfan sprang first, to the door iff tho cell whero. thoyH connect prison.

wero and then through the passage to that of Juanna's was true—bolh were closed. "It matters nothing. Hero aro tho keys," said Leonard. •'They will not avail us, deliverer," anBwcred Oltan, "for these duois aro lu.udo., fast without by liars of f- otic thicker than ., my arm. Xow, this woman hua 5.01:0 to l'ouso tho college of tho priests,who V'll presently come to kill us like caged rit s." "Quick:" said Leonard. "\Ya-V no time. Wo muse break down the do, "Yes, deliverer," said Xan

'-G It,

1

lunch''

"batter theiu in with your .fists. .'stfut# through tho stonework with your spoai'w. Surely thev will .be liotliing to your strength."

TO 1IK CONTIXl'KTJ.

Human Nature.

"Yoh knows," said Miss Mlasrvl Brown, as sho took pee-HGSslon of Kei escort's razor, "dat vuh alius. ortc* lovo yoh enemies." "Dtit's cr facVreplied Mr. Pinkley, "but somehow it's a

!heap

easier ter love 'em aftuh I has

'era llckcd."—Washington Evening Star.

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