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About The Yamhill County reporter. (McMinnville, Or.) 1886-1904 | View Entire Issue (March 15, 1895)
THE PEOPLE GF THE MIST E? H EIILR HAGGARD. [Ccpyn; ht, l '.C, by the Author.} Leonard ran backward toward the draw- bridge tnat ii'w was nut more than 20 yard» aw:y. A fourth time the Portu- ■ i.:se c.-uui ou, ana the Englishman could nut repcu’. bi tactics, for the mob hem- .d him in t- ¡.¡nd. Un sped Xavier und -mote his hard' st. Leonard saw tho steel pi.-nrn l.i tuc moonlight and lifted his • v. -nl to guard. The blow fell, fire sprung from it in spark-, and down rattled tho lragiueiits of shattered steel His sword was broken. "Fight on. baas,” said the voice of Ot ter. “Fight on. Both sworda have gone.” LtMwd ! ’■ ’ d ip. I’ waa true '11 Portugre was ra-tlng aside his broken weapon ui.ti club Mug at his knife Now, Leonard had no knife, and at the moment he never thought of his revolver. But bo still held tho hilt of his sword, and with it he sprang straight at Xavier, who rush rd to meet him. They met with a dull »hock as bull meets bail. He struck ono blow with the broken sword hilt, then dropped it. It was useless. But the stroke did him good service, for falling on the right hand of the Portugeo It paralyzed It for a second, causing him to lit fall the dagger. Then they gripped each other, fighting desperately with their naked strength aluue. Twice the huge Portugee lifted the Englishman from the ground, striving to throw him, while the crowd yelled with excitement. But twice be failed. Not fur nothing had Leonard learned wrestlingasa lad and hardened his Iron muscles by years of toil. Xavier may have weighed 16 stone, and ire did not weigh 13, but his arms were like liars of steel, and he was struggling for his life He waited awhile, lettiug the Purtugee exhaust himself In efforts to hurl him to the ground. Then, suddenly tightening bls grip, Leonard put out his strength. Hu could nut hope to lite the loan, that he kn- w, but be might throw him. With a sudden movement he hooked his right leg behind Xavier’s left calf. Then be cast his weight forward and pushed with all his strength upon tho great man’s breast. Xavier tottered, recovered himself, tot* r ed again and strove to shift his leg. Leon ard felt the movement and met it with a supreme effort Losing Ms balance, his toe swayed .lowly backward like a falling tree then fell with a f hud that shook the ground, it waa n gallant throw, and even the "ranks of Tusculum” as represented by the slave drivers could scares forbear to cheer. Now Leonard lay upon tho breast of the man, for he was pulled down with Mm. For a moment his enemy was still breathing stertorously, for the shock of the fall bad been great. Leonard looked around. There, some eight feet away, was tlie knifo, and he who could grasp It must win this deadly game. But how could he grasp it? Xavier, whose strength and powers were coming back, still hugged him In fils fearful grip. He also saw tho knife aud would win it. Rapidly, almost instinctively, Leonard measured tho dis tance with his eyo. There was but one plan—to roll to it. Tho first roll would leave him undermost, but the dagger would still be out of Xavier's reach. Then if he could only succeed In turning him upon bis back once more Leonard would be uppermost again, and if he was able to free Ms baud it might grasp the dagger. It was a terrible risk, but he must take it. He lay motionless awhile, husbanding Lis force, and tlie Portugeo surged und heaved beneath him. He could feel the muscles of his mighty frame start up in knots as he struggled. At lost he let him have his way, and over they went, the two of them. Now Xavier was uppermost, and the mob yelled in triumph, for they thought that the stranger’s strength was spent. "The knife, the knife!” gasped Xavier, and one of his servants sprang forward to give it to him But Otter was watching and started out of the press, nuked saber in hand. His fierce and ugly face was twitching with excitement; his black eyes shone, aud Ills vast shoulders worked to aud fro. To Juanna, fascinated by the tierce struggle, the dwarf looked like some Vlack gnome, like a thing ot supernatural power, half toad, half human ' He who touches the knife dies!” he said in guttural Arabic, stretching his long arm and saber over it. "Let these cocks fight it out, my masters. ” The man shrunk back. He also waa afraid uf Ottor, deeming him uncanny. Nur did any others Interfere. And now camo the moment of death or victory. As ho could nut reach the weap on, with a sudden movement Xavier treed his right hand and grasped the Eng lishmnn’s throat, but to do this he must lessen the pressure on his breast, Leonard telt the grip, aud the knowledge that his end was at hand renewed his powers, Twice hu writhed like a snake, gripping _ _ the ground with the muscles of his back aud legs. Unco he swung his frame to the right, then one vast effort, and, lol Xavier turned slowly over like a log of wood, uud again Leonard lay upon his breast. Leuuard lay upon Ills breast, and his right arm was free and within reach ot tbe dagger. But the giant's grip of his throat was cruel. The blood drummed in his ears, and his senses began to go. No, be would not die thus and leave the girl helpless. Where was It? He was blind. He could see nothing but her white face He must get free—all, he knew how! They thought that he was done See, his head fell, when suddenly he reared himself up, und bis arm heaved in the air. Crash it came full on the forehead uf Xavier, that In its turn was pillowed on the stony earth The giip slackened. Crash again, a fearful and despairing blow. Leonard s threat Was free, uud the air rushed Into his bursting lunge Now he could see the knife and grsip it, but there was no need to use it. The great man beneath him flung his arms wide, shivered and was etUl. Then it was, while men paused wonder lug at those awful blows, that Juanna, mindful of her deliverer's bidding, turned and tied, sick at heart, but unhindered, to the edge uf the ditch opposite the draw bridge. Otter also rushed up aud drugged Leonard from the ground. “Wow,” ho cried, "a good fight and a great blow! Dead, by my father’s spirit— dead, and no touch of steel! Awake, my father, awake for if tho boar is down the pigs remalu. ” Leonard heard his words dimly and knew their import. With an effort he ceased to stagger and rested his weight upon the dwarf, much as a man might lean upon some sturdy post. His breath tame back to him, and his mind cleared. He looked round and saw Juannastand lug near the bridge, like one who hesitates whether to fly or stay. “Sirs,” gasped Leonard, “I havo fought, and I have won. Now lot me go In peace with the girl. Is the man alive?” There was a ring of men round tbe body ot Xavier, and in their center knelt the priest Francisco At this moment he rose aud said: “It is useless to minister to him. He is dead.' The slavers locked at Leonard with awe not unmixed with admiration. Who had ever seen such a thing—that one whose strength bad been a byword should be »lain by tbe naked fist? They forgot that it la comparatively easy to kill a man whose bead rests upon a stone. Presently, however, their wonder gave way to rage. Xavier had been a favorite among them, and they were not minded that he should die unavenged. So they drew round Leonard, scowling and curs ing, "Stand back,” he said, “and let me puss I have fought the man fairly. Had I wished to take advantage cf him should 1 uot have used this?” And for the first time he remembered and drew hie colt, the sight uf which cooled the .r ardor some what, for they gave way. "Perhaps you will give mo an arm' father,” Leonard went on, speaking to tho priest, who was standing by. "I uni much shaken. ” Francisco complied, and they started toward Juanna, Otter guarding the rear with his saber. Before they had gone ten yards, however, after a hasty consultation With ope of his captains Pereira waddled toward them. “Seize that, man!” he shouted. “He has killed tho worthy Dorn Xavier. Having first insulted him, he Las killed him by violence, and be must answer for it.” A dozen ruffians sprung forward at liis bidding, oniv to be met by the saber and pistol of Otter, with neither of which w re they anxious to make closer acquaint ance. Leonard saw that the position was very grave, and a thought came into hi3 mind. “You wish to escape from this place, father?" ho »aid rapidly to tho priest. “Yes," answered Francisco, “'It is a hell.” “Then lead me as swift as you may to that bridge. I am hurt and weak, and there Is succor beyond.'' A» he spoko tho drawbridge, which was not ten yards away, fi ll with a crash. ‘ Run across, Juanna Rodd,” cried Leonard in English. She hesitated, then olteycd. It seemed to Leonard that the lock upon her face said, "How can I leave you!” “Now, father," said Leonard, “make a rush for it.” And leaning on the priest’s shoulder he stumbled toward the bridge. But he would never have reached it had it not been for Otter. "Treason!” roared Pereira. “Stop him! Who let down the bridge?” A man came on to the attack. It was the same young captain that Leonard had offered to fight before thu auction. In Ms hand was a knife already uplifted to fall on Leonard’s back, when Otter’s saber Hashed, and the mau went down. “Seize tbo bridge aud hold it!” roared Pereira again. “ Wind up, wind up,” yelled Otter in answer as with saber and pistol ho held back the mob. Those on tlie farther side obeyed witli such a will that Leonard and tho priest rolled down the slanting planks. “Otter!" cried Leonard. "Good God, he will be killed!” By way ot answer Otter fired the last barrel ot his pistol. Then with a yell, ?ie- foro they could closo upon him, lie sprang like a wildcat straight at tho iron chains of thu bridge, which were used to secure it In its place when needful. At the mo ment they hung four feet or more above his head, but he grasped thorn, shouting to Soa to hoist away. A man attempted to seize his legs, but Otter kicked him in the faco, and he fell into tho water. Next secund he was out ot their reach and rapidly rising high into the air. Some threw knives and sumo fired pistol shots after him, but none of these touched him. “Ah, Yellow Devil,” hu cried as he swung, “look behind you. There is an other devil, yellower and fiercer than you.” Pereira turned and all tho compa ny with him, and at that moment, with a crackling roar, a vast sheet of flame burst up from tho morass. Tho reeds had caught at last and in good earnest, and the strengthening wind was bringing the fire down upon them. CHAPTER IX. “Treachery, treachery!” screamed Pe reira. "The morass is fired, and that witch has betrayed us.” "Ha, ha, ba, ha!” cried Otter again from his airy perch. “Treachery, treach ery! And what if the slaves are loosed? And what if the gates be barred?” Hitherto the mob had been silent in their fear and wonder. There they stood closely packed, 100 or more of them, star ing first at Otter, then at the advancing tire. Now they found tongue. "He is a fiend! Kill him! Storm the slave camp! To the gates! ’ they yelled in this language and in that. For many it was their last earthly cry, since at that moment a sheet of flame burst from the ramparts of the camp, fol lowed by the boom of the cannon, and six pounds of canister shot through the crowd. Right through them it swept, leaving a wide lane of dead and dying, and such a shriek went up to heaven as even that place of torment had never heard. Then they broke and fled this way and that, screaming curses as they went. When Leonard and the priest had rolled down the rising bridge, they found Juanna standing safely by tho guardhouse, sur rounded by some of the settlement men. “To the gun!” he cried, ‘‘to the gun! Fire into them! I will follow you!” Then It was that he saw Otter left to his death and called out in fear. But Ot ter saved himself, as bus been told, and clambered down th« bridge safe and sound. Leaning on the dwarf and Francisco, Leuuard staggered along the earthwork, followed by Juanna, to tho place where the gun was mounted, Before lie had gone a step he caught sight of the figure of Soa outlined in bold relief against the background of the fire and surrounded by many of the freed settlement men. At the instant when he saw her she was in tlie act of springing back from tho breech of the gun, the lanyard In ber hand. Then came the roar of the shot and the shriek if the smitten. "Wow,” said Otter, “the old woman has uot been Idle. She is clever as a mau, that one.” Another minute, and they were helping to load the gun—that is, ex cept Soa, who was un her knees kissing Juanna's hands. “Come, stop that,” said Leonard, sink ing to the ground, for he was utterly ex hausted. ‘ Those devils have gone for their arms. They will try to storm us presently. Is tho shot home, Peter? Then run her out sharp, und you, Soa, screw her nose down. ” Next hu hade the freed slaves arm themselves with stakes or any thing that they could find, for of rifles they had but four, two of which they had found in the guardhouse. Presently the slavers came on with a yell, carrying long planks, by the help of which they hoped to cross tho dike. ‘ Look out,” said Leonard, "they are guing to open fire. Under the earthwork, every man of you!” And seizing Juanna, whu was standing near, be pulled he« down under cover. It was none too soon. The next instant a storm of bullets swept over them. Most uf the men had understood and taken shelter, bat some were too slow or too stupid, Of these one fell dead, and two more were hit. Soa and Peter alone took no heed, and yet they remained unhurt. There stood the woman laying tho gun while the bullets whistled round her as coolly as though she had served in the royal artillery, and with her was the head man, Peter. Peter was shot through tho waistcioth, and a ball cut its way through Soa’s grizzled hair, but neither of them seemed to notice these trifles. “They are mad, baas,” cried Otter, who was watching over tho top of the embank meat. "See, they are coming across the open.” , Then Leonard looked. The dwarf was in the fight. In their rage and hurry the slavers, half hidden in a cloud of smoke caused by their rapid firing, were advanc ing across the clear space Instead of creep ing along the edge of the dike What was more, the necessity of carrying planks caused them to puck in groups. Soa gave a final twist with her lever and waited, her hand on the lanyard. A bullet cut it in two, but without firing tbo gun, and she grasped the shortened cord. "Now for It,” cried Leonard as the first party camo into the line of fire. Soa sprang backward, with a yell. Again tho gun thundered out, and the canister screamed through the air. It tore along the advancing files: then, striking the beaten earth, rebounded and caught those who were following with the ricochet and with awful effect. Whole groups were mowed down by this one discharge, the destruction being twice as large as that caused by the first shot, for at the greater range the canister found room to spread; also the ricochet missiles flying hither and thither among the crowd did no little execution. Down went the men in heaps, and with them the planks they carried. They had no more wish to 6torm the slave camp. They had but one thought left—tho thought of safety—and the survivors fled in all directions, yelling with fear and fury. “Load up, load up!” cried Otter, lifting the charge of powder which lay at hand. “They will try to break open the gates and get out, then they will cut us off ” As he spoke they saw a number of men run from the auction shed to the water gate. But it could not be climbed. The key was gone, and the massive bolts and beams were not easy to break. So thejr brought hammers and a tree trunk which 1. id supported an angle of tho shed and 1 ttcred at tho¿rate For two minutes or 1. -ire it held, then began to give. "Swift, swift,” cried Otter again az ho *1 zagged at the piece to turn it, ‘‘or all will yet be lost!” ‘ Hurry no man's ox. black one,” said ~ a as she laid the gun with the help of Peter. “A cry went up from the slaves. The c ?tc was tottering, but ft still held by •- ? upper hinges. A few more blows, and !; must surely fall. Blit theso blows were ver struck. Again Son sprang back — rd, and tLe roar of the gun was unswer- ■ I by the screams of the slavers as the rapncl plowed through them. Of those who were left the most patt fled for shelter to the auction hut and tho nest itself. Some ran across to the maga zine, but appeared to lx? unable to enter it, for soon they were seen flying back again, while about a dozen ot the boldest remained nt the gate trying to complete it- destruction On these Leonard and Otter opened tire w ith rifles, but it was not until three or four men had fallen that tho rest fled to join their companions be neath tLe shelter of tho sheds. Qh, look, look!” said Juanna, point ing to the east. It waa indeed a spectacle never to bo forgotten. The dense reeds, measuring 1! to 15 feet in height, Lad been lived be tween a quarter and a half a mile to the east of tiiu nest, and as the wind gather ed to a gale and the fire gut a firmer hold it rolled down upon tile doomed place in billows and sheets—a sea of flame that sometimes spouted high into the air and sometimes ran swiftly along the ground. The reeds crackled and roared like mus ketry as the tire ate into them, giving out thick volumes of smoke. At first this smoke hud passed aliove the spectators; now it blew into their faces, half choking them and blotting out the sky, and mixed up with it were showers of sparks and fragments of burning reeds brought for ward on the wind. 'The house and shedswill soon catch now,” said I Conard ‘Then they must take refuge in the open spaces, where wc cun deal with them,” and ho nodded at the gun. As he spoke tongues of flame darted into the air, first from the thatch of the shed, then front the roof of the nest. They were afire. “We must be careful, baas,” said Ot ter, ‘‘or the slave sheds behind us will burn also and all thoso in them.” ‘ Heavens, I never thought of that,” answered Leonard. "Here, father, if you wish to do a good work, take some of these men and the buckets they use to water the slaves. Let three or four men get on to each roof and extinguish tho sparks as they fall while others bring them water from tho moat.” The priest sprang up and set to the task, at which be labored gallantly for two long hours. Had it not been for his efforts the sheds and tho slaves in them must have been burned, fur the sparks fell thick upon tho dry thatch, which'caught again and again. Now the sights and sounds grew more fearful. Maddened with fear, the remain der of the slave drivers and their servants rushed from the flaming buildings, striv ing to find shelter from the Are. Some flung themselves desperately into the aloes and prickly pears un the inner rampart, and climbing the palisade beyond escaped into the marsh, while some collected on the open space, and at these the gun was fired from time to time when the smoke fitted. Others again ran to the dike of tin- slave camp, begging for mercy, there to be shot by Otter, who never wearied in his task of revenge. From behind them also rose the hideous cries of the terrified slaves, who believed that they were about to be burned alive and screamed as they dragged at their manacles. ■ Oh, it is like hell!” said Juanna to Leonard as she buried her face in the grass that she might see no more and to escape the suffocating smoke. She was right. And so the time went on. One by one the roofs of the various buildings fell in, and spouts of flame hot high into the air to descend about them in a rain of eparks. But at last the cries ecased, for the slaves could yell no more. The fire grew less and less, and the wind dropped. Then tho sun rose uu the scene of death and desolation. The moruss was swept bare to the depth of 700 yards, and the camp was a smoking ruin, etrewn with the dead. The walls of the nest stood, how ever, and here and there a charred post remained. Everything else was gone ex cept the magazine, which had escaped tho tlaiucs, being built of brick and stone and roofed with tin. Tho adventurers looked around them in silence. Thon they looked at each other. What a spectacle they presented in the clear light of the morning as they stood by the gun which had dune them such signal service! All were begrimed with smoko and powder, and their clothes were burned by tho falling sparks. Leonard’s throat was a mass of bruises; his hands and faco were bleeding; he was so stiff and hurt that he could scarcely move. Suu’s hair was singed and cut by the bul lets which had shaved her head. The priest’s robe hung in charred threads, and his hands were blistered with Are. Juan na’s broidered Arab dress, torn by the brutal hand of Pereira, scarcely retained a trace of white, and her long dark hair was tangled and powdered with bits of blackened reed. All were utterly exhaust ed—that Is, all except Otter, who advanc ed to speak to Leonard, begrimed and stripped to the waist, but fresh and fierce as ever. “What is it, Otter?” he asked. “Will the baas let me take these men,” and he nodded toward the freed slaves who had belonged to the settlement, “and bunt through the camp yonder? Many of the devils still live, and wounded snakes strike hardest ” “As you like,” answered Leonard. “Arm them with anything you can find and search the caiBp thoroughly. But be careful.” In ten minutes Otter was gone, with the men. Then Leonard and the others got water and washed as best they might, the guardhouse being assigned to Juanna and Soa, who made their toilet with the help of a comb they bad found there. There also they discovered food, the rations of the sentry and a plentiful supply of meal for tlie slaves, of which they ato with such uppetite as they might. As they were finishing their meal Otter returned unharmed, though of tho men who went out with him five were missing. With him also were two of tbo four set tlement men who had been sent to fire the reeds on tlie previous night. They were much exhausted, for their task had been no easy one, and fortunately for Leonard it was only after long delay that they succeeded in it. Their two compan ions were dead. One had been taken by an alligator in the water, and ono had fallen into a deep hole in tho morass, and striking his head against a log there was drowned. “Is it finished?” said Leonard to the dwarf. Otter nodded. “Some are dead, and some are fled,” he answered, “but from these we have little to fear. Still that la cot all the tale, baas. We have taken one of them alive. Come and look at him, baas.” Leonard clambered up the steps of the embankment, followed by the others. On the farther side stood the group of settle ment men who had returned from scour ing the camp—thin and haggard fellows, scarred by the slave irons, but very fierce looking. In their midst a white man, bound witli ropes, crouched upon the ground, moaning in terror and misery. Just then he lifted his faco. It was that of tho Yellow Devil himself. There he lay, that aged Iniquity, that hoary shame, caught at last in his own snares. "Where did you find him, Otter?” ask ed Leonard as they crossed the draw bridge. "In the magazine, baas, and your gold with him; also many rifles and much pow der. He had locked himself up there, but he had not the heart to fire the powder and make an end.” Pereira did not see them as yet; but, raising his head, he moaned for water. "Give him blood,” said one of the men sullenly. "He has drunk it all bls days. Let It be his last drink.” l^unaxd motioned to Francisco, ths priest, to bring water, and then Pereira saw them and bggan to pray for mercy. "Antonio Pereira,” Leonard answered sternly, last night I and two compan ions, a woman and a black dwarf, setotir- selves a task—to tak this armed place jt yours and rescue a white girl whom you had condemned to slavery. It did not seem possible that we should do it. but between sunset and sunrise we havo Jone it. Who helped us, then, that wa should have carried out this thing which was Impossible? I will tell you. God helped us a» he helped this lady when sho called on him. Cry to God, then, to do ihnt which is still more impossible and to help you. From mo you will have no mer ry, nor can you expect any.” Fcr a moment Pereira ceased whining, and u flash of the old ferocity came Into his eyes. "Ah, my friend,” he muttered, “if I had but known!” Then, turning to Juan na, he said: “My dove, have I not treateel you kindly? Will you say no word for me, now that my enemies prevail against me?” By way of auswer Juanna looked first st the human reptile before her, then at the Isjaum uf her turn dress, now roughly pinned up with spikes uf aloe leaves, and there was a world of meaning in that look. Then she turned and went. "Baas,” said Otter, "may I speak.” “Speak on,” Leonard answered. “Hearken, Yellow Devil,” said the dwarf. "Ten years ago you took me, and 1 lay in this camp a slave—yes, in yonder shed. There are the marks uf tLe irons, your own seal. Ah, you have forgotten tho black dwarf, but he remembers. Who could forget you, Yellow Devil, that once had slept beneath your roofs? I escaped, but as 1 lied I swore that if I might 1 would bring vengeance upon you. The years went by, and the hour camo at last. I led the baas to this place. 1 found you this morning, and we are not parted yet, YeHow Devil. What did you boast last night—that you had sent 20,000 of us black people to slavery? Yes, and for every one that you have sold you have killed five—old men white with yeurs, women with child, little children at the breast—you have murdered them all. Ah, yes, I havo seen you laugh and kill them before the eyes of tlielr mothers as last night you killed the kitten. And now your time has come at last, Yellow Devil, and I, Otter, the dwarf, will give you to drink of your own modlciue. What, you cry for mercy, who never gave It oven in a dream? I tell you did my chief yonder bid mo loose you I would disobey him, even to force, I who would rather die than put osido his word on any other matter. Look now at tLese men,” and he pointed to the settlement people, who glar ed hungrily at tho crouching wretch, much as hounds glare at tho fox that is held aloof by tho huntsman, “look at them. Do you sco mercy in tholr eyes? They, whose fathers and mothers you havo murdered, whose little children you havo stamped to death! Wow, Yellow Devil! The white men tell us of a hell, a place where dead people arc tormented. Wo know nothing of that; It is for tho white people, and they may keep It all to them selves. Now you are beginning to taste that hell of yours—only beginning, Yel low Devil. Baas Leonard, I demand this man to bo tried by us and dealt with ac cording to our customs, for It is against us black folk that I10 has sinned must uf all, and we ask Lis blood in payment for our blood.' "Take it,” answered Leonard, and though he was not a hard hearted man he suid It without a single touch of pity for the cruel demon in the tolls, Indeed it seemed to him a most fitting judgment Not so did it strike Pereira. "What,” he howled, “am I to I m ? given over to these black dogs? Mercy, mercy! Francisco, plead for me. Shrive me. I know I killed your brother, I hud to do it. Plead for me!” and he rolled in the dust, trying to clasp Leonard’s feet. “I cannot shrive you,” answered the priest, shuddering, "and it is useless to plead. But I will pray for you. ” Then tho natives pounced upon Pereira and dragged him away, Soa following him, her fierce eyes fixed upon his hideous face. An hour later Otter reappeared with a shining countenance, but Leonard did not ask him any questions Turning to him as if nothing bad happened, lie said. “Otter, take these men and loose the slaves. Then get tho ammunition, rifles and stores out of the armshouseand bring them to the water gate. Wo must clear out of this place at once, or we shall have the escaped slavers and the crews of the dhows down upon us.” Thus, then, did fate and vengeance at last find out Antonio Pereira, the Yellow Devil. And yet as the words of prompt refusal ■ Might I ask what they were?” replied were on her lips a feeling, an instinct al Juanna in a tone of equal acerbity. most a superstition, causod them to remain "Certainly, Miss Rodd. But first I unspoken. “ You are very kind,” she said, must explain that I am no night errant. ‘but this is your signet ring. Is not that I am an almost penniless adventurer, and what you call it? You caunct wish to for urgent reasons of my own I seek to win fortune. Therefore when the woman give it to a chance acquaintance.” “Yes, it is my signet ling, and if you yonder,” and ho pointed to Soa, who was will look at the crest and motto you will sitting watching them just out of range see that they ate not inappropriate. And of the firelight, “came to me with a mar I do wish to give It even to a chance ac velous talc of a countless treasure of ru quaintance,’ if you will allow me no more bies, which she promised to reveal to mo if I would undertake the little matter cf intimate term.” “I have looked at them," she answered your rescue, and eveu paid down a speci as she examined tho ring curiously. It men stone of considerable value on ac was of plain and somewhat massive gold count, having nothing better to do and and deeply cut into tho shield face bezel nowhere to go, being, in short, desperate, I was the Outram crest—a hand holding a consented. Indeed I did more. I took drawn sword—beneath which tho motto the precaution of reducing tho matter to was engraved. "What is the last word of writing, I being ono contracting party, the motto?” she went on. "It is so rubbed and Soa, acting on her own liehalf and us that I cannot read it—‘Fur home hon your attorney, being the other.” "I have not the least idea to what you or' ”— allude, nor did I ever give Soaauy author “ ‘And heart' ’’’said Leonard. Juanna blushed, though why tho word ity to sigu documents on my behalf, but heart should make her blush sho knew may I seo this writing?” “Certainly," Leonard answered, and not. “Well, I will wear the ring if you wish rising he went to tlie baggage, whence hu it, Mr. Outram, in memory of our adven returned presently with a luutern and the ture—that is, until you ask it back again,” prayer book. Juanna placed tbe lantern beside her slio said confusedly; then added, with a change of tone, "there is one detail ol' that and opened tho book. The first thing that adventure that I hope you will not alluilo sho saw was a name on the title page, to more than you can avoid, for the recol “Jaue Beach,” and beneath it this in lection of it is must painful to inc, proba scription, which liad evidently been writ ten by some one in great hurry: "Todear- bly more so than even to you.” “I suppose you mean tho ceremony of ost Leonard from Jane. 23 Jan.” “Turn over,” ho said hastily. “The marriage, Miss Rodd?” "I mean tile wicked and abominable document is on the other side. ” Sho was not slow to note both the writ farce in which we were made to play a part,” she answered passionately. "Must, ing and the confusion which her perusal of the witnesses of that, shameful scene of it caused him. Who was Jane Beach, are dead and cannot speak of it, and If she wondered, and why did she call Mr. you will keep your servant, the dwarf, si Outram "dearest Leonard?” In a mo lent 1 will do tho same by Francisco. Let ment, so strange are tlie hearts of women, Juanna felt herself much prepossessed it be forgotti u by both ot us.” “Certainly, Miss Rodd,” said Leonard. against her, whoever, she might be. But “That is, if anything so strange can be for sho turned tho leaf uud read tho agree gotten. And now will you conio to break ment. It was a pretty sight to seo her bending over tho eraiiipod writing In tho fast?” She bowed her head in assent and swept circle of the lantern light, but when at length she had finished aud looked up past liim, tho red lilies in her hand. “I wonder what hold she has got over there was a smile upon her lovely face that priest,” thought Leonard to himself, which had more of scorn In it than was ‘‘that she talked of being able to keep him pleasant. silent.” “Come hither, Soa,” she said, “aud tell When lio reached the camp, Leonard me what ull this nonsense is about rubles found the priest talking confidentially to and tbe People of tho Mist, among whom 1 am to play the part of a goddess, if nec Juanna. “By the way, father,” he said some essary. ” what brusquely, “as you see, 1 have got “Shepherdess,” answered Soa, squatting rid of those slaves. It was impossible to down on tho ground liefore her, "it is not tako them with us, utid now they must nonsense. The language that I taught shift for themselves. At any rate, they are you when you were little is that of this better off than they were yonder. What peoplo. It is a true tale, though hitherto are your plans” You have behaved well I have hidden it from you and your father, to us, but I cannot forget that we found Mavoom, lest Mavoom should seek to win you in bad company. Perhaps you wish tho precious stones and come to his death to return to it, and in that case your way through them. Listen, Shepherdess,” and lies eastward,” and ho nodded toward tho she repeated tho outlines of the story with nest. which sho had already made Leonard ac “I do not wonder that you mistrust me, quainted, ending thus: senor,” said Francisco, his pale and girl "I told this tale to the white man, be- ish face coloring as ho hpoke, “for appear cause I saw that ho was greedy, after the ances are much against me. But I assure fashion of his race, and my strait was des you that, although I camo into the compa perate. For this reason I bribed him with ny of Antonio Pereira by tny own will, it the red stone, and with tho promise that was for no evil purpose. To be brief, I would lead him to the land of the People senor, I had a brother who fled hither of the Mist, for had I not done so ho would from Portugal because of a crime that I10 never have used his wit or put out his had committed and joined Pereira s band. strength to rescue you from the Yellow With much toil I tracked him out and Devil. Therefore it was also that I marked was welcomed nt the nest because I am a this paper on your behalf and my own, priest who can comfort the sick and shrivo knowing well that I had no right to speak the dying, for wickedness does not console for you, and that by and by you could re men at the last, senor. I persuaded my fuse to abide by it, though I am bound.” brother to ret urn witli me, and we made a “Frank, at any rato,” said Leonard to plan to escape. But Pereira’s ears were himself. “What a solicitor the old lady long. We were betrayed, and my brother would have made!” was hanged. They did not hang 1110 be "Say, Soa,” asked Juanna, “to succeed cause I am a priest. Afterward I was In tho search for these stones is it neces kept a prisoner and forced to accompany sary that I should play the part of a god tho band in their expeditions. That is all dess among your people?” the story. Now, with your permission, I "I can see no other way, ” she answered. will follow you, for I have no money and “But what of that? You are free, and nowhere else to go in this wilderness, what I promised on your liehalf is noth though I fear that I am not strong enough ing. Let the white man go without his to be of much service, and being of an reward. It will save him along journey.” other faith you will scarcely need my min »*•*«•• istrations. ” Three months bad passed since that day "Very well, father," answered Leonard when Juanna declared her determination coldly, “but please understand that wo to accompany Leonard upon his search for j are still surrounded by many dangers the treasures of the People of the Mist. which any treachery might cause to over It was evening, and a party of travelers whelm us. Therefore I warn you that were encamped on the side of a river that should I detect anything of rhe sort my ran through a great and desolale plain. answer to it will be a quick one,” and he They were a small party, three white peo glanced significantly at his revolver. ple—namely, Leonard, Francisco and “I do not think that you need suspect Juanna—fifteen of the settlement men un- the father, Mr. Outram, ” said Juanna in dor the leadership of Peter—tbe same dignantly. "I owo him a gerat deal. Had headman who had been rescued from the it not been for his kindness and counsel I slave camp—and of course the dwarf, Ot should not be alive today. I am most ter, und Juanna’s old nurse, Soa. deeply grateful to him.” For 12 weeks they had traveled almost "If you vouch for him. Miss Rodd, that without intermission with Soa for their is enough. You have had the advantage guide, steering continually northward and of a closer acquaintance than lean boast.” westward. First they followed tho course When their meal was done, they pro of the river in canoes for ten days or more. ceeded up the river in the boats which Then, leaving the main stream, they pad- they had captured from the slavers, each died for three weeks up that of a tributary boat being rowed by tho best oarsmen called Mavuae, which ran for many miles CHAPTER X. among the settlement men. Including along the foot of a great range of mouu Once more it was morning, and the women and children, their party number tains named Mang-anja. Here they made travelers were encamped by that reedy ed 80 souls. A t evening they passed the but slow progress because of the frequent point where they had left the big boats island where they had left tho party ut rapids, which necessitated tlie porteruge of which they had cut loose from tlio Island. slavers, but could see no sign of life upuii the canoes over broken ground and for From the earliest dawn Leonard had been it and never learned whether the men considerable distances. At length they superintending the transport across the perished or escaped. Au hour later they came to a rapid which was so long and »0 river of the hundreds of slaves whom they encamped for the night upon tho bank uf continuous that regretfully enough they had released. There they were put ashore the river, and it was while they were sit were oblighed to abandon the canoes alto by tho settlement men, provided witli a ting aruund the fire at night that Juanna gether and proceed on foot. store of meal and left to shift for them told Leonard of the horrors that she Lad The dangers of their water journey had selves, it being found utterly impossible undergone during her dreadful sojourn been mifny, but they were nothing com to take them any farther. with tile slave caravan. She told him also pared to those that now environed them, "There, they are gone, ” said Otter a9 how she had turn leaves from the Bible, and in addition to bodily perils they must the last boatload set out under tho charge which she chanced to have with her, and face the daily and terrible fatigue of long of Peter. “Well, let them go, the silly fixed them upon reeds whenever she could marches through an unknown country, sheep. So much the less troublo for 11s, find an opportunity of so doing in the cumbered as they were with arms and oth who, although we have a .Shepherdess, can hope that they might guide her father er absolutely necessary baggage. The scarcely lead so large a flock. Well, we should he return and attempt ber rescue. country was named Marcngl, a land unin have pulled the miesio yonder out uf the “It is all like a nightmare,” she said, habited by man, the home of herds of slave nest, and the Yellow Devil—ah, we “and, as forthat hideous fares of marriage countless game have talked with him and all his crew! with which it ended, I can scarcely bear On they went northward and upward And now are we to go on to win the gold, to think of it.” through a measureless waste; plain suc the real yellow devil, baas?” Then Francisco, who had been sitting ceeded plain in endless monotony, distance "1 suppose so, Otter,” answered Leon silent, spoke for the first time. place to distance, and ever there Were ard. “That is, if old Soa keeps her word. "You speak, señora,” ho said in his cave But it isn’t gold, It is rubies. At any subdued voice, “of that hideous farce of more beyond. Gradually the climate grew rate, we must mako for the settlement be niai riage, and 1 suppose you mean the colder. They were traversing a poitlon of low Sena to tako these men back and see ceremony which I performed between you the unexplored plateau that separates If we can hear anything of Mavoom.” and tho Senor Outram, being forced to from central Africa. Its loneli “So,” said Otter after a pause. “Well, the act by Pereira. It is my duty to tell southern was awful, and tho bearers began to the Shepherdess, as these settlement peo you both that, however irregular this mai ness plo call her, will want to find her futber. riage may have been, I do not believe it to murmur, saying that they had reached the did of the world and were walking Say, baas, she is proud, is she not? She be a farce. I believe that you are lawful over Its edge. Indeed they had only two looks over our heads and speaks little.” ly man and wife until death part you comforts In this part of their undertaking “Yes, Otter, she is proud.” unless Indeed the pope should annul the —the land lay so high that none of them “And she is beautiful. No woman was union, as he alone can do.” were stricken by fever and they could not ever so beautiful.” "Nonsense, nonsense,” said Leonard. well miss the road, which, if Soa was to “Yes, Otter, sho is beautiful.” ‘‘You forget that we are ot another reli be believed, ran along the banks of the “And she is cold, baas. Sho does not gion, and that the form was necessary to river that had its source in the territories say ‘thank you’ nicely for all that you our plot. ” of the People of the Mist. havo done.” "The church knows nothing of the rea I Now at length they halted on the bound "Perhaps she thinks it tho more, Otter.” sons which lead to the undertaking of sry of the land of the Peoplo of the Mist. “Perhaps she thinks it tho mole. Still wedlock,” Francisdo answered mildly. There before them, not more than a mile sho might say ' thank you’ to you, baas, “They are various, and many of them away, towered a huge cliff or wall of would not bear investigation. But you rock, varying from 700 to 1,000 feet In who are her—husband.” were married without pretest on your height and stretching across tho plain like “What do you mean by that?” “I mean, baas, that you bought her part, on Portuguese territory, according a giant step, far as the eye could reach, first, according to our custom, and mar to Portuguese custom, and by a duly down the surface of which the river flowed ried her afterward, according to your qualified priest. The fact that you are of in a series of beautiful cascades. Before own, and if that does not mako her your the Protestant religion and were united they had finished their evening meal of by the Catholic ritual does not matter in buck's flesh the moon waa up, and by its wife nothing can.” “Stop that foci’s talk,” said Leonard the least. For the purposes of the cere light the three white people stared hope angrily, "and never let me hear you speak mony you accepted that ritual as when a lessly at this frowning natural fortifica Catholic marries a Protestant, or vice tion, wondering If they could climb it. so again.” Juanna looked up and saw him stand versa. It is disagreeable for me to have and wondering also what terrors awaited ing before her proud and handsome, an to tell you this, but the truth remains. I them upon its farther side. air of command upon his thoughtful face, believe that you are man and wife in the deep chested, bearded, vigorous, n man eyes of God and tho world. ” CHAPTER XI. Here Juanna sprang to her feet, and among men She saw the admiration In The next morning they began the ascent his eyes and blushed, knowing that, do even in that light Leonard could see that what she would to prevent it, it was re her breast was heaving and her eves shone of the wall uf rock, which proved to be an even more difficult business than ghey had flected from her own Another moment, with aDger. anticipated. There was no path, for "those and she was holding out her hand to him “It is intolerable that I should be fotceu who lived beyond this natural barrier and smiling pleasantly. to listen to such falsehoods. ” she said, never came down it, aud fewot the dwell "Good morning,” she said. “I hope "and if ever you repeat them in my hear that ycu have slept well, and that you ing, Father Francisco, I will not speak to ers in the plains had ever ventured to gc havo no bad news.” you again. I utterly repudiate this mar up. It was possible, for Soa herself had "I spent eight hours in a state of ab riage Before the ceremony began Mr. descended here In bygone years, and this solute stupor,” he answered, laughing, Outram whispeied to me to go through was all that could be said for it. Day aft "and I have no news at all to speak of ex with the ‘farce,' and it was a farce. Had er day they toiled through cold and mist cept that I have got rid of thoso slaves, I thought otherwise I should have taken until one morning Otter stopped and poor creatures. I fancy that our friends the poison. If there is any truth la what pointed. Look yonder, byis. the old hag has not the slave dealers yonder have had enough the father says, I have been deceived and lied to us. There is the city of tbe People of our company and are scarcely likely to entrapped ’ ’ of the Mist.” follow us.” ‘ ‘ Pardon, señora, ” said the priest. ‘ ‘ Eut Following the line of the dwarf ’s out Juanna turned a shade paler and an you should not speak so angrily. The stretched hand Leonard saw what had at swered: Senor Outram and I only did what we flist escaped him—that standing back in a "I trust *0. At least I have had enough were forced to do. ” wide bend at the foot of the great moun of them. By the way, Mr. Outram, I—I “Supposing that Father Francisco Is have to thank you for a great deal.” Here right, which I do not believe,” said Leon tain in front of them were a multitude of her eyes caught the gleam of the gold cir ard, with sarcasm, “do you think Miss houses built of some gray stone and roofed clet on the third finger of her left band. Rodd, that such a sudden undertaking with green turf. Indeed, had not ills at "This ring belongs to you. 1 will return would be more to my liking than to yours” tention been called to it, the town might well have missed observation until he was It at once.” Believe me, had I wished to ‘deceive and quite close to its walls, for the materials "Miss Rodd,” said Leonard gravely, “we entrap you, I could not have done so with of which it was constructed resembled have passed through a very strange adven out involving myself, since if the mar those of the bowlders that lay around ture together. Will you not keep the ring riage is binding it is binding on both par them in thousands, and the vivid green of in remembrance of it?” ties, and even such a humble individual its roofs gave it the appearance of a dis Her strong impulse was to refuse. While as I am does not take a wife on the faith of tant 6pace of grassy land. she wore this ring the thought of that hate a five minutes’ acquaintance. To be frank, “Yes, there is the kraal of the great ful scene and still more hateful mockery I undertook your rescue for purpose» far people,” said Otter again, “and it is a of marriage would be always with her, other than those of mayimony. ”__ sttouf kraal. Look, baa^ they know how to defend themeelves. The mountain is behind them that none can climb, and around their walls the river runs in a loop on cither side, joining itself together again on the plain beyond. It would go ill with the ‘impi’ which tried to take that kraal.” For awhile they ail stood still and stared amazed. It seemed strange that they should have reached this fabled city, and. now they were there, how would they be received within its walls? That was the question which each of them was asking of himself. There was but one way to find out—they must go and soc. No re treat was now possible. Even the settle ment men felt this. "Better to die at the hands of the great men, "said one of thuin aloud, “than to perish miserably in tho mist and cold.” "Be of good cheer,” Leonard answered. 'You are not yet dead. The sun sbiuos once more. It is a good omen. ’' When they bud rested and dried their clothes, they inarched on with a certain sense of relief. There before them was the goal they had traveled so far towin. .Soon they would know the worst that could be fall them, and anything was better than this long suspense. By midday they had covered about 15 miles of ground and could now see the city clearly. It was a great town, sur rounded by a cyclopean wall of bowlders, about which the river ran on every side, forming a natural moat. The buildings within the wall seemed to be arranged in streets and to be built on a plan similar to that of the house in which they had slept two nights before, the vast con glomeration of grass covered roof giving tbo city tho appearance of « broken field of turf hillocks supported upon walls of stone. For the rest it was laid out upon a slope, and at its head immediately beneath the sheer precipices of the mountain side stood two edifices very much larger In size than any ot those below. One of these re sembled the other houses in construction and was surrounded by a separate inclo sure, but the second, which was placed on higher ground, so far as they could judge at that distance, was roofless and had all the characteristics ot a Roman amphithea ter. At the far end of this amphitheater stood a huge mass of polished rock bear ing a grotesque resemblance to a figure of a man. "What are those buildings, Soa?” ask ed Leonard. “The lower one is tho house of the king, white man, and that above is the Temple of Deep Waters, where the river rises from the bowels of the mountain.” "And what is the black stone beyond the temple?” "That, white man, is the statue of the god who sits there forever, watching over the city of his people.” “He must be a great god,” said Leon ard, alluding to the size of the statue. “Hois great, ” she answered, "and my heart is afraid at the sight of him.” After resting for two hours they march ed on again, and soon it became apparent that their movements were watched. The roadway which they were following—if a track beaten flat by the feet of men and cattle could be called a road—wound to and fro between bowlders of rock, and here and there standing upon the bowlders were men clad In goatskins, each of them carrying a spear, a bow and a horn. So soon as their party came within 500 or 600 yards of one of these men he would shout an arrow in their direction, which, when picked up, proved to be barbed with iron and flighted with red feathers like the first that they had seen. Then be would blow his horn either as a signal or in token of defiance, bound from the rock and vanish. This did not look encourag ing, but there was worse to come. Presently as they drew near to the city they descried large bodies of armed m.n crossing the river that surrounded it in boats and on rafts and mustering on the hither side. At length all of them were across, and the regiment, which appeared to number more than 1,600 men, formed up in a hollow square and advanced upon them at the double. The crisis was at hand. Leonard turned and looked at his com panions with something like dismay writ ten on his face. “What is to be done now?” he said. “We must wait for them until they come near,” answered Juanna. "Then Utter and I must go to them alone, and 1 will sing the song which Soa has taught me. Then if the thing comes off they will think that we are their lost gods, or at least so Soa says. ” "Yes, If itcumesoff. But if it doesn’t?” “Then good night,” answered Juanna, with a shrug of her shoulders. “At any rate, I must get ready for the experiment. Come, Soa, bring the bundle to those rocks over there—quick. Stop a minute. I forgot, Mr. Outram. You must lend me that ruby. I have to make use of It.” Leonard handed over the ruby, reflecting that he would prububly never see it again, since it seemed almost certain that one of the great peoplo would steal it. How ever, at the moment he was thinking of that which was far above rubies—namely, I of what chance there was of their escap ing with their lives. So soon as she had possession of the stone Juanna ran to a little ring of bowl ders that were scattered on the plain about 50 paces from them, followed by Soa, who carried a bundle in her hand. Ten minutes passed, and Soa appeared from behind the shelter of the stones and beckoned to them. Advancing In obe dience to her summons, they saw a curious sight. Standing in the ring of rocks was Juanna, but Juanna transformed. She wore a white robe cut low upon the Beck and shoulders. Indeed it was tho same dress in which she had escaped from the slave camp that Soa had brought with them in preparation for this moment of trial. Nur was this all, for Juanna had loosened her dark hair, which was of great length and unusual beauty, so that it hung about her almost to her knees, and upon her forehead, gleaming like a redeye, was set the great ruby stone, which had been Ingeniously fastened thereto by Soa in a specially prepared band of linen stiff ened with leather and pierced in its center to the size of the stone. ■ Behold the goddess and do homage, ” said Juanna, with mock solemnity, al though Leonard could see that she was trembling with excitement. "You look the part well, ” he answered shortly. And indeed until that moment he had never known Low beautiful she was. Juanna blushed a little at the evident admiration in his eyes. Then, turning to the dwarf, she said: “Now, Otter, you must get ready too. And remember what Soa told you. What ever you see or hear, you are not to open your mouth. Walk side by side with me and do as I do, that is all.” Otter grunted assent and proceeded "to get ready.” The process was simple, con sisting only in the shedding of his coat and trousers—an old pair of Leonard's, very much cut down—which left him naked, except for a moocha that ho wore beneath them In accordance with native custom. “What doesail this mean, deliverer?" said the Lead man, Peter, who, like his companions, was trembling with fear. “It means that the Shepherdess and I Otter are personating the gods of this peo ple, Peter. If they receive them as gods, it is well. If not, we are doomed. Be careful, should they bo so received, lest any of you should betray the trick. Be wise and silent, I say, and do what I shall tell you from time to time if you would live to look upon the sun.” Peter fell back astonished, and Leonard turned his attention to the approaching soldiers of the People of the Mist They advanced slowly and In silence, but their measured tread shook the earth. At last they baited about 150 yards away, presenting a truly terrifying spectacle to the little band among the rocks. So far as Leonard could see, there was not a man among them who stood less than 8 feet in height, and they were broad in propor tion, hugely made. In appearanoe they were neither handsome nor repulsive, but solemn looking, large eyed, thick haired —between black and yellow in hue—and wearing an expression of dreadful calm, like the calm of an archaic statue. For the rest they seemed to be well disciplin ed, each company being under the com mand of a captain, who, in addition to his arms, serried a trumpet fashioned from a wild bull’s horn. The regiment stood silent, gazing at the group of strangers, or rather at the bowlders behind which they were oonoeal- ed. In the center of their hollow square was a knot of men. one of them young and huge oven In comparison with lilt companions. This man Leonard took to be a chief or king. Behind were orderlies umi counselors and before him threeaged individuals of stately appearance and a cruel cast of countenance. These men were naked to the waist and unarmed ex cept for a knifo or Langer fixed at the gir dle. On their broad breasts, covering more than half tho skin surface, the head of a huge snake was tattooed In vivid blue Evidently they were medicine men or priests. While tho adventurers watched and wondered tho king, or chief, Issued an or der to his attendants, who ran to tho cor- ners of the square and called it uloud. Then ho raised his great spear, and every captain blew upon his burn, making u deafening sound. Now the enemy stood still for awhile, staring toward the stones, and Ibe three medicine men drew near to tho chief in the eenter of the square and talked with him as though debating what should be done. “This is our chance," said Juanna ex citedly. “If once they attack us, it will be all over. A single volley of arrows would kill every onoof us. Come, Otter." "No, no,” said Leonard. "I am afraid of your venturing yourself among thoso savages. Tho danger Is too great." "Danger! Can the danger be more than it Is here? In a tuinuto we may all bu dead. Nonsense, I will go. I have made up my mind to it. Do not feat for me. You know that if the worst comes to the worst I havo the means to protect myself. You are not afraid to come, are you, Ot ter?” "No, Shepherdess,? said the dwarf. "Here all roads are alike.” Leonard thought awhile. Bitterly did lio reproach himself in that he had been the cause of leading his ward Into such a position. But now there was no help tor it. She must go. And, after all, it could make no difference if she were killed or captured five minutes hence or half an hour later. But Francisco, who could not take sucli a philosophical view of tho situa tion, Implored her not to venture herself alone among those horrible savages. ‘‘Go If you like, Juanna,” said Leon ard, not heeding tho priest’s importuni ties. "If anything happens, I will try to avenge you before I follow. Go, but for give me." "What have I to forgive?” she said, looking at him with shining eyes. "Did you not once dare a greater danger for me?” “Yes, go, Shepherdess,” said Soa, who till now had been staring with all her eyes at the three aged men In the center of the square. ‘‘There is little to fear if this fool ot a dwarf will but keep his tongue silent. 1 know my people, and 1 tell you that If you sing tbatsongand say .be words that I have taught you you and the black one here shall be proclaim ed gods of the land. But be swift, fox the soldiers are about to shoot.” To be Contiiturd. ♦ Mexican Mustang Liniment for Burns, Caked & Inflamed Udders. 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