Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1895-02-16

your mouth. Walk side by side with me
and do as do, that is all. y
Otter grunted assent and proceeded ssto
get ready The process was simple, con-
sisting only in the shedding of his coat
and frousers-an old pair of Leonartl's,
very much cut down--which left him
naked, except for a mocha that he wore
beneath them in accordance with native
custom.
.sWhat does all this mean, deliyerer;''
said the head man, Peter, who, like his
companions, was trembling with fear.
1t means that the Shepherdess and
Otter are personating the gods of this poo
pie, Peter. If they receive them as gods,
it is well. Ii not, we are doomed. Be
careful, should they be SO received, lest
any Of you should betray the trick Be
wise and silent, | say, and do what l shall
tell you from time to time if you would
1.-Two to look upon the snn.'
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 halted about I50 yards away
presenting a truly terrifying spectacle to
tho little band among the rocks So far
as Leonard could see, there was not a man
among them who stood less than 6 feet
in height, and they were broad in proper
ton, hugely made. In appearance they
were neither handsome nor repulsiye, 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, carried trumpet fashioned from
a wild bulls horn.
The regiment stood silent, gazing at
| the group of strangers, or rather at the
powders behind which they were conceal
| ed. In the center of their hollow square
was a knot of men, one of them young
and huge even in comparison with his
companions. This man Leonard took to
| be chief or king. Behind were ordcrlies
and eounselors and before him three aged
| individuals of stately appearance and u
cruel cast of countenance. These men
were naked to the waist and unarmed ex-
copt for a knife or hanger fixed at the CIR
die. On their broad breasts, covering more
than half the skin surface, the head of a
huge snake was tattooed in vivid blue
Evidently they were medicine men or
priests.
While the Adventures watched and
wondered the King, or chief, issued an or
der to his attendants, who ran to the cor
ners of the square and called it aloud.
Then he raised his great spear, and every
captain blew upon his horn, making
deafening sound.
Now the enemy stood still for awhile,
staring toward the stones, and the three
medicine men drew near to the chief in
the center OF the square and talked with
him as though debating what should be
done
This is cur chance, said Juanna ex-
citedly. If once they attack US, it will
be all over. single yolley of arrows
would kill every one of us. Come, Otter.
No, no, ~ said Leonard. Il am afraid
of your venturing yourself among those
savages The danger is too great. "
Dangcrl Can the danger be more than
it is heres In minute we may all be
dead. Nonsense. will go. have made
up my mind to it. Do not fear for me
You know that if the worst comes to the
worst have the means to protect myself
You are not afraid to come, are you, OF
ter?'
No, Shepheriess, said the dwarf
Here all roads are alike"
Leonard thought awhile Bitterly did
he reproach himself in that he had been
the cause of leading his ward into such a
position. Bnt now there was no help for
it. She must go. And, after all, it could
mako no difference if she were killed or
captured five minutes hence OR half an
hour later. But Francisco, who could not
take such philosophical view of the situa-
ton, implored her not to venture herself
alone among those horrible savages
go if you like, Juanna," said Leon
ard, not needing the priests importuni-
ties. IF anything happens, will try to
avengc you before follow. Go, but for
give HE.
What have to forgiven" she said
looking at him with shining eyes. Did
you not once dare greater danger for
mes''
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 of a dwarf will but keep his
tongue silent. l know my people, and l
Veil you that If you sing that song and say
ihe words that l have taught you you
and the black one here shall be proclaim
ed gods of the land, But be swift, for
the soldiers are about to shoot. =
AS Soa spoke Leonard saw that the
conference in the square had come to an
end. The messengers were calling COM
mands to the captains, which the captains
repeated to the soldiers, and then follow
ed a 'i,ighty rafting of quivers. Another
instant and the light shone upon many
hundreds of arrow heads, every one of
which was pointed toward them.
Juanna saw also, and springing forward
on to a rock stood there for moment in
the full light of tho sun. Instantly a
murmur went up from the host; a great
voice called command; the barbs of steel
flickered like innumerable stars and sank
downward. Now, Otto, naked except for
his moocha, leaped on to the rock by Juan
mas side, and the murmur of the soldiers
of the great people grew into hoarse
roar of establishment and dismay. Won
der had turned to fear, though why this
multitude of warriors should fear a lovely
white girl and black dwarf was not ap
parent.
For moment the ill assorted pair stood
together on the rock. Then Juanna leaped
to the plain, Otter following her. For 90
yards or SO she walked in silence, holding
the dwarf by the hand. Then suddenly she
burst into singing wild and sweet. This
was the refrain of the song which she sang
in the ancient language of the People of the
Mist, the tongue that Soa had taught her
as a child:
do but sleep.
Have We wept for me awhilef
Hush, did but sleep.
! shall awake my people.
/ am not dead, nor can ever die.
See, / have but slept!
See. come again, made beautiful
Have We not heard me in the voices of the chill
drenf
: ,ok on me now, the sleeper arisen.
Look on me, who wandered, whose name is
the Dawningl
Why have We mourned me, the sleeper awak-
enedf
Thus she sang, ever more sweetly and
louder, till her voice rang through the
still air like the song of the bird in win
ter. flushed were the ranks of the great
men as she drew toward them with slow
and gliding steps-hushed with fear and
wonder, as though her presence awoke a
memory or fulfilled promise.
Now she was in front of their foremost
rank, and hating there was silent for a
moment. Then she changed her song:
viii We not greet me, children of my childrens
Have we forgotten the promise of the dead:
Shall return to the dreamland whence wan
der?
Will you refuse me. the Mother of the Snake?
The ranks of the great eyed men looked
upon one another and murmured each to
each. Now she saw that they understood