Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1894-04-04
A SACRIFICE.

Charles Norton was gay hearted, hand
some, generous fellow and a fayorite with
the whole corps from the bluff old COM
mandant to Nicer Ali, the Hindoo servant,
though in truth he was apt in the exuber-
ant hilarity Of youth to. commit actions Sc
rious to himself and liable to compromise
the credit of our regiment, which was at
the time stationed in India.
Complaints were constantly being
brought in against him by the inhabitants
of the towns around. Now the house of a
surly Mussulman had been forcibly enter
ed, now a sacred pigeon had been shot at
while roosting on the very pinnacle of a
pagoda, while once upon time he was
likely to have Jared still worse for having
dared to pursue one of the dancing girls
belonging to the temple into the very pre-
cincts of that prohibited edifce.
He was passionately fond of field sports,
and often his fowling piece led him into
scenes that at times were anything but
agreeable.
On one occasion, allured by the news of
much game, we obtained months leave
of absence, intending to roam the jungles
until time was up and duty again called
US. Attended by three servants and a Sc
poy, we commenced our knight errantry.
After glorious weeks sport we found
ourselves nearly used up and decided to
rest week at town with u jawbreaking
name.
Our sepoy was fine, intelligent fellow,
and by him we were informed that he had
made friends with an old man whose only
child, a young and lovely girl, had lately
been dragged from their cottage during his
temporary absence, the only person that
was with her at the time being decrepit
old woman, their servant.
That plumber was not the object sought
was evident, for nothing was touched in
the house or garden, and the old woman,
who had tainted in her terror, could only
recollect that among the party who tore
garb Of q Hindoo mendicant.
Interested in Ali's recital, at my desire
he introduced me to his new acquaintance
He was fine, venerable old man on the
verge of 80, and in answer to our inquiries
declared that he was convinced his daugh-
ter had been carried off by the Goands for
their annual human sacrifice.
''But can nothing be done to save herr"
we both exclaimed. But the only answer
was that In three days, at the new moon,
the sacrifice would be made.
"Nay," returned Charles, "lead me to
the spot, or the one you suspect, provide
us and our attendants with such DISCUSSES
rs you deem most likely to favor such an
enterprise, and let me try what can be
done"
Disguised as native soldiers, we COM
menced our search, and it was not long
before we had discovered the principal pa
CODA of the place, situated in thick grove.
We felt assured that the interior of this
temple was the place allotted for the sacri-
fees, nor was 1t with difficulty we learned,
by mingling with the crowds that attend
ed fairi In the town, that a grand festival
was to be solemnized at midnight.
While crawling carefully around tho
building accommodating, large snake is
sued from heap Of stone, passed rapidly
toward the temple and entered crevice in
the wall and glided away out Of sight.
Charles seized stick and Immediately
commenced a pursuit, until when he strove
to dislodge the reptile by thrusting his
weapon into the aperture the stick struck
something that emitted metallic sound,
and on approaching to examine it he found
it was small door Embedded in the stone
work of the wall.
Digging away the mortar and rubbish
that almost concealed it from sight until
he was able to drag 1t open and gain ad-
mittance to a small cell, then returning
he related to us his discovery, and with
our swords and pistols near at hand and D
search.
On entering the cell CLEAN of light
warned US that neighbors were at hand,
and that all must be done as silently as
possible If we hoped to succeed.
A groan from the bereaved parent and
his fall proved that his nerves had received
an additional shock.
SEEING him, commenced dragging him
into the open air, while my companion,
following the old mans example, saw
through the orifice most lovely creature
"a young and graceful girl, whose beauty
shone in the glare of many torches stuck in
the wall as she lay bound hand and foot.
Passing his hands over the wall, search
ing every crevics and Granny with his fin
gers in the dark, regardless Of the hiss Of
the startled snake, he sought an entrance
to the prisoner. At last springbolt was
touched, the door opened, and in five min
utes, free from cord or chain, she lay mo-
tionless in the arms of her overjoyed par
emit, and after a successful retreat was at
last placed in safety, but not until dart
from Cupid's bow and Azeeta's bright
eyes had pierced my young friends heart.
Soon they were united, and on the death
Of his beloved ones father Charles Norton
found himself worth few laos Of rupees
and with wife whose clinging affection
rewarded him for all dangers incurred for
her sake.
But sickness seized him, and as the
heavy damp hung on the brow that Azeeta
pressed to her bosom and 30 tearfully kiss
ed she seemed unconscious 1t was the damp
Of death or that the dread silence told that
he breathed no more, and that life with It
had fed
Slowly came the conviction to her mind,
and with shrek that echoed in my ears
for years, so embodied was 1t with unut-
terable woe, she fed to her own apartment
and was comfortless.
His body was prepared for the grave,
but 80 lifelike 1t seemed that felt over
whelmed with grief lighted the torches
around his bier, and locking the door with
drew.
Al I'passed a thick and almost impassa-
BILE hedge heard whispering, and drop
ping to the ground listened to the quarrel
Of two natives ON the other side Of the
leafy wall.
IA ~