Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1892-08-25


while others stand and fight" growled
Umslopogaas, "yet because of NADIA it
seems that | must"
ooh, heed me not, my love-" said
NADIA. Il have brought thee sorrow. l
am weary; let mo die. Stay mo and
save yourselves"
For answer Umslopogaas took her by
the hand and fed toward the river, vet
before he reached it he heard the sounds
of the fray.
Now they had lcaped into the foaming
river and here it was well that the Lily
could swim, else had both been lost.
But they won through and passed on to
the mountain flank. Here they walked
on in the forest, till st length Umslopo-
gaas heard the bowling of wolf.
Then he must set NADIA on his shout
dcrs and carry her us once Galazi had
carried another, for it was death for any
to walk on the Ghost mountain save tho
Wolf Brethren only.
Presently the wolves focked around
him and leaped upon him in Joy, glaring
with fierce eyes at her who sat upon his
shoulders. NADIA saw them and we'll
nigh fell from her seat fainting with
fear, for they We're many and dreadful,
and when they howlcd her blood turned
to ice.
But Umslopogaas chccred her. telling
her that these wore his dogs with whom
he went a-hunting. At length they came
to the knees Of the Old Witch and the
entrance &C the cave.
Here you must bide, sweet" said
Umslopog&as when he had driven ont
the wolves. Here you must bide till
this little matter of the Slayers is fin
ished. Sec Now | will show YOU the
secret of the stone; thus far | will push
it, and no farther Now a touch only
home-but then they must be two strong
men who can pull it back again. There
fore push it no farther, except in the ut
most need iNt it remain where it fall
whether yoa will it or not. Have no
f""r: here vC'. ere safe"
Now NaGa Tcpr, saying tnar she rear
ed to be left and that she should never
see him more, and her grief wrung his
heart. Nevertheless he kissed her and
fashion OF which he had spoken. When
the stone was closed the cave was almost
dark, except only for a ray of light that
entered by hole little larger than
mans hand that, looked at from within,
was on the right Of the stone. NADIA sat
hersclf 80 that this ray of light struck
full on her, for she loved light and with
>nt it she would pine as flowers do. And
Is she sat thus, suddenly the ray went
uut and she heard a noise as of some
beast that smells at prey. She looked
and in the gloom she saw the sharp nose
and %rinning fangs OF wolf that were
thrust toward her through the little
hole.
She cried aloud in her fear and the
fan@s were snGtchcl back. but presently
shc heard scratching without the stone
end saw the stone shake. Then she
thought III her foolishncSs that the wolf
knew how to open the stone and that be
would do this and dcvour her. for she
| had heard the tale that all these wolves
were the ghosts Of evil men, having the
understanding Of men. SO in her fear
and folly she seized the stOnca and dragged
on as Umslopogaas had shown her the
way. it shook il slipped over the socket
ledge and rolled home like a pebble
down the mouth Of "A Gourd.
"NoW | am safe from the wolves"
said NADIA. See, cannot so much as
SIR the stO:e from within and still less
can they do 50 from without" and She
laughed Il little.
When Umslopogaas had shut the cave
he moved swiftly down the mountain
| and with him went certain of the
Wolvc@-not all, for hchad not summon