Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1895-05-25
THE PEOPLE
OF THE MIST
By H. RIDER HAGcARD.
copyright, 1898, by the Author.l

NIL A<NOAoAo N1aGlSt Ill Sod1
skin cloak which he took from one of the
dead priests, placing the second cloak over
his own shoulders, for he knew that il
would be bitterly cold on the mountains.
Lastly, they tied Mans arms behind him
and deprived him of his knife SO that the
old man might work none of them a sud
den injury in his rage.
All being prepared, Otter made his rope
fast to the staff and descended rapidly to
the cave below. AS his feet touched tho
ground the priests began to batter upon
tho doors of the cell with beams of wood,
or some such heavy Instruments.
Quick, Juanna!' said Leonard. ''Sit
in this moose and hold the line. We will
let you down. Hurry. Those doors can
not stand for long"
Another minute, and she was beside OF
ter who stood beneath, candle in his
hand. Then Leonard came down.
by the way Otter" he said ''have
you seen anything of the jewels that arc
supposed to be here?"
There is bag yonder by the water
dwcller's bed, baas," answered the dwarf
carelessly hut l did not trouble to look
into it. What is the use of the red stones
to us nows'
None, but they may be of use after
ward, IL we get away"
Yes, baas, If we get away" answered
Otter, bethinking himself of the ice
bridge. We'll, we can pick it up as we go
along"
Just then Nam arrived, having been let
down by Olfan and the captains, and stood
glazing round him, not without awe, for
neither he nor any Of his brethren had
ever dared to visit the homo of the snake
god. ThcI. the captains descended and
last of I'll came Olfan.
We have little time to spare, deliver
or, " said the king. Tho door is falling"
and as he spoke they heard great crash
above. Otter ierked furiously at the rope,
till by good luck ono end of TIE stake slid
over the edge of the hole, and it fell
among them.
No need to leave this line for them to
follow BY" be said. Besides it may be
useful" A that moment something ap-
pearcd looking through tho hole 1t was
fho head Of one of the pursuing priests.
Nam saw it and took his opportunity.
1.-THE false gods escape by the tunnel to
the mountains, he screamed. land with
them the false kingl Follow and fear not.
The water dwcllcr is dead. Think not of
me, Nam, but STAY them.
With an oath Otter struck him heavily
across the mouth, knocking him backward,
but the mischief was done, for voice cried
in answer:
''Wo hear you, father, and will find
ropes and follow
Then they started. One moment they
paused to look at tho hugo bulk of the
dead crocodile.
This dwarf is god in truth" cried
one Of the captains, for no man could
have wrought such a deed. -
Forward " said Leonard. ave have
no time TO lose"
Now they were by tho crocodile's bed
and among the broken bones Of his VIC
tins.
1.-THE bag, Otter; where is the bags'
asked Leonard.
Here, baas," answered the dwarf, drag
! ging it from the moldering skeleton of the
unlucl,y priest who, having offended the
new found god, had been let down through
the hole to lay it in its hiding place and to
perish in the jaws of the water dwoller.
Leonard took the bag, and opening its
mouth, which was drawn tight with run
ming strip of hide, pecped into it while
Otter held down the candle that he might
see. From its depths came glimmer of
red and blue light that glowed like the
heart of some dull fire.
1t is the treasure, " he said in low
tone of cxultation. AT last the luck has
turned.
How much docs 1t weight" said Juan
ma as they sped onward.
Some seven or eight pounds, l should
say" he answered, still exultantly. "Sev-
| 81, ai,,I,t de rf G,,
est in the world
"Then give it me, p" she said. II have
nothing else to carry. You may have to
use both your hands presently"
True" be answered and passed the
string of the bag over her head.
Then they went on up the smooth slop-
ing bed of the stream, suffering little in
| convenience, except from the cold of the
water that flowed about their ankles.
The stream has risen somewhat, baas
since passed it this morning. Doubtless
this days sun has melted some snow ut
its source Tomorrow we might not have
been able to travel this road"
Very likely,' answered Leonard. Il
told you that our luck had turned Mt last. -
Twenty minutes moIc and they reached
the mouth of the tunnel, and passing be-
tween the blocks of ice found themselves
upon the mountainside; but, as it CHANGED
the faceo the moon was hidden by Clouds
which is often the case in this country at
the beginning of the spring season, for,
| whereas in winter the days arc almost in
yarably misty and the nights clear in
spring and summer these atmospheric con-
ditions are frequently reversed. So gloomy
was it indeed that it proved impossible to
| attempt the ascent of the mountain until
| the day broke, since to do so would be to
run the risk of losing themselves and very
possibly OF breaking their necks among its
| numerous clefts and precipices.
After minutes basty discussion they
set TO work to fill up the mouth of the
tunnel, or rather the cracks between the
blocks of ice that already encountered it,
with such material as lay Mt hand--name-
ly, Jumps of frozen SNOW, gravel and a few
large stones which they were fortunate
enough to find in the immediate vicinity,
for tho darkness rendered it impossible to
| search for these at distance. While they
were thus engaged they heard the voices
of priests speaking en- the farther side of
their somewhat inefficient barrier and
worked harder than ever, thinking that
the moment of attack had come.
To their establishment, however, the
sound of voices died away.
Now where have they gone" said
| Leonard-"to climb the cliff by another
path and cut us Off"
Il think not, deliverer," answered Oh
fan, fer know OF no such path. / think
that they have gone to bring heavy beams
by means of which they will batter down
the ice wall
''Still there is such path, king" said
one of the captains, for l myself have of
ten climbed it when was young search
ing for snow flowers to bring to her whom
l courted in those days"
Can you find it now, friendy' asked
Olfan eagerly
Il do not forget road that l have
trod, said the captain, ''bnt it is one not
easy to follow"
See now, Shephertless," said Olfan
after thinking awhile, shall we take this
man for guide and return down the cliff
to the city. for there, unless fate is against
us, we may find friends among the soldiers
anG fight out this battle with the priests
NO no, answered Juanna almost pas
sionately. II would rather die than &c
back to that dreadful city to be murdered
at last. Do you go If you will, Olfan, and
leave us to take our chance.
THAT 1 cannot do, queen, for / am
sworn to a certain service. y he said proud.
ly. but hearken, my friend, follow this
path of which you speak, II you can do SC
in the darkness, and find help Then re-
I