Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1895-04-20
THE PEOPLE
OF THE MIST
By H. RIDER HRGGaRD.
copyright, 1893, by the Author]
[coNTYUED.1
By H. RIDER HHGGARD,
CHAPTER xxi

hurried from the sleeping apartment to
the throneroom, where he stood hesitating,
for he did not know what was to happen
next Soa, who had preceded him, stood,
surrounded by the four priests and with a
torch in her hand, against that wall of the
chamber wis nc she had lain bound on the
night of the arugging of Otter
"Baldpate has tainted with fear. He is
coward'' she said to the priests, point
ing to the burden in Leonard's arms.
Open the secret way and let us pass Oh. I"
Then priest came forward and pressed
upon a stone in the wall, which gave way,
leaving space sufficiently large for him
to insert his hand and pull upon some hid
den mechanism with all his force, whercon
a piece of the wall swung outward as
though upon pivot revealing a flight of
steps, beyond which ran narrow passage.
Soa descended them first, bearing the light,
which sho was careful to hold in such a
way as TO keep the figure of Leonard and
the burden that he bore in comparative
darkness, and after her went two priests,
followed by Leonard, carrying Juanna,
the rear being brought up by the remain
ing priests, who closed the secret door be-
hind them.
80 that is how it is done, ;" thought
Leonard to himself, turning his head to
watch the process, no detail of which es-
capped him.
Otter, who had followed Leonard from
Juanna's chamber saw them go, though
from some little distance, for, like a cat
Otter could see in the dark. When the
rock had closed again, he returned to Fran
cisco, who sat upon the bed lost in prayer
or thought.
/ have seen how they make a hole in
the wall, " he said, land pass through it,
Doubtless our comrades, the settlement
men, went by that way. Say, shall we
try it?'
What is the use, Otter" answered the
priest. Tho road leads only to the dan
geons Of the temple and if we got so far
we should be caught there, and everything
would be discovered, including this trick :"
And he pointed to the robe of Aca, which
he were.
THAT is true" said Otter Come,
then, let us go and sit upon the thrones
and wait till they fetch US"
So they went to the great chairs and sat
themselves down in them, listening to the
tramp of the guards outside the doorway.
Here Francisco resumed his prayers, while
Otter sang songs of the deeds that he had
done, and more especially very long ono
which he had composed upon the taking
of the slave camp Ito keep his heart
alive, as he explained to Francisco.
A quarter of an hour passed, and the
curtains were drawn aside, when q band
of priests entered, headed by Nam, and
bearing between them two filters, having
hide curtains.
Now, silence, Otter, " Whispered Fran
cisco, drawing his hood over his face
Hero sit the gods, said Nam, waving
the torch that he bore toward the two
quiet figures on the thrones. Descend,
yc gods, that we may bear you to the tenn
pie and seat you in IL lofty place, whence
you may watch the glories of the rising
SUM-
Then, without more ado, Otter and
Francisco came down from their seats and
took their places in the litters Presently
they felt themselves being borne forward
at a considerable speed. When they were
outside the palace gates, Otter pecpcd
through the curtain in the hope of percciv-
ing some change in the weather. In vain.
Tho mist was denscr than usual, although
it grew gray with the light of the coming
dawn. Now they were at those gates Of
the temple that was nearest to the colossal
idol and here, at the mouth of one of the
numerous underground passages, guards
assisted them to descend.
Farewell, queonr' said the voice of
Olfan in Francisco's ear. Il would have
given my life to save you. Asst is, live
to ayonge you upon Nam and all his serv-
ants.
Francisco made no answer, but pressed
on down the passage, holding his head low.
soon they were at the foot Of the idol, and
led by priests began 10 ascend the stair
way in the interior of the statue. Up
they toilod slowly in tho utter darkness.
Indeed TO Francisco this the last journey
of his life seemed the longest
At length they emerged upon the head
of the colossus, where neither Of them bad
been before. II formed Hat platform
about feet square, quite unprotected at
the edges, beneath which the outlines Of
the sculpturcd head curved shecrly. The
Ivory throne whercon Juanna had sat
when first sho visited the temple was gone,
and instead OF it, placed at the very verge
Of the forehead, weIo two wooden stools
upon which the victims must scat them
selves. From this horrible elevation could
be sccn that narrow space Of rock between
the feet Of the colossus and the wall oi the
pool whcrc stood the stone altar, although,
owing to the Slope Of the head, he who
stood upon il almost Overhung the waters
OF the pool.
Otter and Francisco seated themselves
on the stools and behind them Nam and
three other priests took their stand Nam
placing himself in such a position that his
companions could not see anything Of
Frunci5co's slight form. which they be-
llevcd TO be that Of the Shepherdcss.
Hold ne, Otter, " whispered Francisco.
. Ny senses win leave me, and shall fall. "
Shut your eyes and lean back. Their
You will see nothing" answered Otter
Moreover make ready your medicine, for
the time is at hand "
at Is ready" he answered. May be
forgiven the sin, for l cannot bear to be
hurled living to the snake
Otter made no answer, but set himself
TO watch the scene beneath him. The tenn
pie was filled with mist that from the great
height looked like smoke, and through
this veil he could just distinguish the
black and moving mass of the thousands
of tho a,,,lio,,co who had eat +bo lone, ,,ieh+
through waiting to witness the consumma-
ton of the tragedy, while the sound of
their voices MS they smoke together in
hnsbed tones reached him like that of the
of distant waters Behind
him stood the four priests. or executiopers
in a solemn. silent line their ewes fixed
upon the gray mist while above them
around them and beneath them was moth.
ing but sheer and gidflv snace II was a
hideous position. heightened Inv every for.
ror that man and naturo can command
,,,l n,,,,, H. ;n+ro,,;, :, ,,,ane -, -,