The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1859-05-05

substances within, had caused great in
hation, [ saw that sudden, or accidental
lowering of the temFera ure, must cause
a painful, if not dangerous collapse of the
whole system. Even the bulls head, that
looked so genuine, and set itself TO butt
and roar so Bereely, did not seem to be-
long there; but though it was evidently
false, it served the purpose of its Captor
just as well as if it had been native to
him, as YOU shall see.
] was thus led, by close observation, to
consider, that, as there was so little sus-
tanning power n this terrible form, there
must be a continual supply of force from
some foreign body, Following the sug-
gestion, began tracing kind of electri-
cal cord, which was attached to the head
of Apis, and it led me to corresponding
form at some distance beyond, toward the
North, I'D a much clearer atmosphere,
which instantly recognized as the Source
Of the power This form also, though
Titanic, was far more human than the
other-not that he seemed to have been
created any better; but he had not been
quite so much weakened, and degraded,
and poisoned, by the Scorpion He had,
however, leash of bloodhounds, about
which he seemed very soicitous. He
, was feeding them with something, that |
was surprised to see, looked very much
like piece of Negro flesh, although the
general humanity of his appearance indi-
Gated that | must be mistaken. But
/, when saw him hand over a piece of
back that had been fairly 'crisped with
the lash, and a black foot, worn and travel
sore, [ was forced to give up the point,
: though | could not avoid thinking how
much he wronged himself by these ac-
tions. He had, also in his employ com
pany of Man hounds, all of whom were
, distinguished by insignia of their different
ranks and orders of Office Whenever he
, imagined that Apis was looking that way,
he appeared anxious, and even uneasy,
: in regard to their behavior, and was con-
; tinually reminding them of the favors
they had received, seeming to think there
were no other good gifts in the world,
than those of the Scorpion. What is very
remarkable, though he had truly human
r physiognomy, he sometimes wore a mask,
. that was not at all becoming to him.
: This was fashioned after the model of the
] head of Female Deer but though was
} unacquainted with the species, | could
see that name not in the least lattering
or honorable, had been applied to it by his
: neighbor, Apis, whom he was so over
; much Jealous to please, notwithstanding
: he must have known, that even his best
qualities, were held in derision bv that
august Animal. He appeared ashamed
r to have any one about him see this mask,
which was, indeed, great insult to him
: self, whether we consider his strong hand,
l his honest face, his really true heart, or
his genuine bravery; tha is when he felt
himself perfectly safe from the attacks of
: his engrossing Neighbor, which, howev-
er, must have been at rare and remote
: intervals
} could see at once that if he had been
! a greater villain, he might have found a
better disguise. Possibly there were no
) mirrors about; and he could not see what
a ridiculous figure he was making of him
self But be this as it may, every time
! Apis roared, or the cord 'ightened, though
: only the least in the world, the Man of
the North thrust his head into the mask,
with an aspect of the greatest terror,
much as we have seen the Ostrich dip
hers into the sand, Notwithstanding she
left her whole body exposed to the spears
of the pursuer. The moment the roar
: ing ceased, he would try to pull it off
again but sometimes it stuck about his
; ears apd then he was futtered, and con-
fused, Msing, for the time, much of the
, proper @iguify of so grave and well-in-
, formed a gentleman.
When at lengt- he got off his head
dress; he would quickly hide it away. as
: if the very sight fit were hateful to him.
) But if at any moment the cord straight
ened, he would clutch at it again for the
one supreme terror of his life was the
f breaking of that cord.
So the Man of the Mask, though more
than great equal Power, was enslaved
: bound with an insane fear of breaking
tie, which, under existing conditions
only robbed him of his strength. And
while he held in his own hand the means
that would etfectually rebuke and silence
all opposition, he stood abashed and dumb
at the sound of an empty roar.
Thus he became subject to Anis, and
a Worshipper of the Scorpion, not from
love. but the most senseless and frantic
fear. Thus for them he fattened his
blood hounds with Negro flesh, aud con-
verted his Man-hounds into the most alb
ject aud despicable of slaves. Thus he
captured the miserable runaway, and ell
! ther killed or carried hun back To a nnn-