Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1895-05-18
CHAPTER XVIII.

Their position was terrible. Soa had es-
capped, and Soa knew everything. More
over, she was mad with hatred and long
ing for revenge on Leonard, Otter and in
less degree on Olfan, the king. Had
they succeeded in revealing themselves to
the people all would have gone we'll, for
Otter and Juanna would certainly have
been accepted as true gods, who had passed
and repasssd the gates of death scathless.
But now 1t was another matter. Soa
would tell the truth to the priests, who,
even if they were inclined to desert her ia
ther in his extremity, must strike for their
own sakes and for that of their order,
which was the most powerful among the
People of the Mist and had no desire to be
placed under the yoke of secular authority.
1t was clear to all of them that if they
could not escape they must fall very short
ly into the hands of the priests, who,
knowing everything, would not dare to al
low them to appeal to the army or to the
superstitions of the outside public. The
only good card they held was the possession
of the person of Nam, though it remained
to be seen how far this would help them.
To begin with, there arc always some who
would be glad to step in the shoes of a
extensively in the matter of the false gods
that the greater part of the fraternity,
whom he had involved in his mistakes,
would not sorrow to see the last of him.
These facts, which were perfectly well
known to Olfan and guessed at by his
companions, sharponed their sense of dan
ger in which they had been placed by Soa' S
readiness and cunning. Indeed their es-
cape was matter of life and death to them
and many hundreds of their adherents. If
once they could reach the temple and pro
claim the Tearisen gods to the people, all
would go we'll, for the army would suffice
to keep the priests from using violence,
but if they failed in this their death war
rant was already signed, for none of them
would ever be heard of again.
No wonder, then, that they hurled
themselves despairingly upon the stubborn
doors. For an hour and more they labored,
but all in vain. The massive timbers of
hard wood, six inches or more in thick
ness, could scarcely be touched by their
knives and spears, nor might their united
strength serve even to stir the stone bolts
and bars that held them fast, and they
had nothing that could be used as batter
ing ram.
lit is useless" said Leonard at last,
throwing down his knife in despair 'This
wood is like iron. 1t would take us "a
week to cut through it"
why not try fire, baas?" suggested OF
ter.
Accordingly they attempted to burn
down the doors, with the result that they
nearly stifed themselves in the smoke and
made but little impression upon the wood
work.
At length they gave up the experiment
it was failure and sat looking blank
ly at each other as they listened to certain
sounds which reached them from the pas
sages without, telling them that their en-
emies were gathered there.
Has any one Il suggestion to make?"
said Leonard at last 'If not, | think
that this game is about played"
"Baas, answered Otter, Il have word
to say We can all go down through that
hole by which l came up to you. The wa
ter dweller is dead. l slew him with my
own hand, so there is nothing to fear from
him. Beneath the hole is a tunnel, and
that tunnel leads to the slope of the noun
tain above. AT the top of the slope is an
ice bridge by which men may reach fair
country if they have mind to.
Then for heavens sake, let Us cross
it, put in Juanna.
Il have seen that bridge" said Olfan,
while the captains stared wonderingly at
the man whose might had prevailed
against the ancient snake, but never yet
have heard of the man who dared to set
his foot upon it."
1T is dangerous, but it can be crossed, -
replied Otter. AT the least, it is better
to try it than to stay here to be murdered
by the medicine men,
II think that we will go, Leonard, y
said Juanna IF am to die, l wish to
do so in the open. Only what is to become
of Nam? And perhaps Olfan and the cap
tains would prefer to stop heres
Nam will go with us wherever we go, y
answered Leonard grimly. I'VE have a
long score TO settle with that gentleman
AS for Olfan and the captains, they must
please themselves. y
What will you do, Olfanf" asked Ju-
anna, speaking to him for the first time
since the scene in the other prison.
1T seems, queen, he answered, with
downcast eyes, that have sworn TO de-
fend you TO the last, and this will do the
more readily because now my life is OF lit
tie value. As for my brethren here, think
that, like you, they will choose to die in
the open air rather than wait to be muir
dered by the priests. -
The three captains nodded an assent to
his words, and then they set to work