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.
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