Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1895-05-04
THE PEOPLE
OF THE MIST
By Il. RIDER HAGcARD.
lCopyliglt, 1898, by the Author.l
[coNTNUED1
CuApTER. XIV

CHAPTER AMY.
1t will be remembered that some hours
before Otter, after his conquest of the rep
tile god. found himself in the light of day
Leonard found himself in very different
place-namely, in a secret passage, bear
ing the sonsciass form of Juanna in his
arms and in process of being guided by
Soa, whittier he know not
On they went through various tunnels,
of the turnings of which Leonard tried to
keep count in his mind, till at length Soa
ushered him into "a rock hewn cell that
evidently had been prepared for their re-
ception, for on one side of it was "a bed
and ambulance of skin blankets, and on
the other table provided with the best
food that the country could offer At a
sign from Soa he laid Juanna down upon
the bed, whercupon the woman instantly
covered her with skin blankets so as to
hide her face from the eyes of the curious
Then suddenly Leonard felt himself seized
from behind, and while his arms wcro
held by two of the priests third, under
Soa's direction, removed his revolver ild
hunting knife, which weapons ho carried
away.
''Yon devil, +" said Leonard to Soa, be
careful lest 1 kill you"
To kill me, deliverer, would be to kill
yourself and another, These things arc
taken away from you because it is not
safe that you should have them. Such
toys are not for angry children. Stay, >"
she said to fourth priest. Search his
pockets.
The man did as he was ordered, placing
everything that Leonard had about him.
| such us his watch, Francisco's notebook
and rosary and the great ruby stone, in
little pile upon the table Presently he
came to the fragment of poison Juanna
had given him, which was wrapped in a
square of kidskin. Soa took it and after
examination said, why deliverer, you
have been borrowing medicine that will
bring you bad luck if you keep it, )" and
going to small aperture in the wall of
tho cell she threw tho tiny packet out of
it and after it a second packet, which
Leonard recognized as having been taken
from Juanna's hair
There now you cannot hurt yourself"
she said in Portuguese. LET me tell you
something. So long as you remain quiet
all viii be well, but if you attempt vio-
lence or escape then you will be bound
and placed by yourself; also you will
bring about the death of the Shepherdess
| yonder Be warned, then, by me, white
man, and turn gentle, for remember you
are in my power"
That is very clear my estimable
friend, answered Leonard, controlling
his wrath as best he might. But for your
sake hope that the hour will never come
when you shall be in mine, for then may
remember all this. l do not in the least
! understand what you are aiming at, nor
do l much caro- so long as a certain person
is protected. "
DO not fear, deliverer. She shall be
protected. As you know, hate you, and
yet keep You alive because without you
she might die. Therefore for her sake be
careful Attempt no violence toward me
or my father if ,go visit you alone, for we
shall Go so in order that she may not be
discovered, and the moment that you lift
hand against us will be the beginning
of her doom, And now | must leave you
for awhile, for something passes in the
temple which 1 would sec If she awakes
before l return, be careful not to fright
en- her. Farewell" Then Sea went,
taking the priests with her, and the mass
| i've timber door was closed upon them.
After he had restored his various be-
lonsings to his pockets, the revolver and
knife, which had been removed, excepted,
! Leonard turned down the rug and looked
at Juanna, who appeared to be plunged
in deep and happy sleep for thore was
smile upon her face. Then he examined
the place where they were confined. 1t
had two doors, that by which they had
entered and a second of equal soldity.
| The only other opening was the slit out
| of which Sea had dropped the poison. 1t
was shaped like an inverted loophole, the
narrow end facing inward. This aperture
attracted Leonard S attention both on ac-
count of its unusual shape and because of
the sounds that reached him through it,
OF these the first and most pervading was
noise of rushing water. Then after
awhile he distinguished n roar as of null
/ titude shouting that was repeated again
| and again at intervals. Now he knew
where they must be. They were hidden
away in the rock of the temple somewhere
! in the immediate neighborhood of the rag
| ing pool that lay in front of the colossus,
and these sounds which he heard rose from
the people no watched the fate of Otter
| ar Francisco.
Juanna still slept heavily under the in
! Gucncc of the drug, and he was glad of it,
for when She woke it must be to worse
misery than any that had gone before.
| Partly for something to do and partly be-
cause the cravings Of nature made them
selves felt even through his sorrows he
| turned to the table and ate and drank of
| tho yiands there, though not without fear
that they might be doctored. AS the food
took effect upon him some share Of hope
and courage entered into his heart, fer it
is q true saying that full stomach makes
n brave man. After all, the two still
| hrcathed and were unframed in body,
nor was IL absolutely certain that they
would be called upon to give up the ghost
at present. This was much. Moreover,
he had lived long enough to win tho love
of the fearless and beautiful girl who slept
beside him, and though perhaps under
such circumstances love, however true and
passionate, ceases to occupy a command
ing place in a mans heart, even then he
felt that this was more, and that happier
days might dawn when it would be, if not
everything, at least most of all
AS he thought thus he saw color creep
into Juanna's pale face. Then she sighed,
opened her eyes and sat up.
Where am I?'' she said, glancing
around wildly This is not the bed on
which lay down. Oh, and she started
is it overi'
Hush, dear, hush. 1 am with you"
said Leonard, taking her hand.
so 1 Sec But where arc tho others,
and what is this dreadful place? Are we
buried alive, Leonardo 1t looks like a
tomb"
mo, we are only prisoners. Come, eat
and drink something, and then / will tell
yon the story"
She rose to obey him, and for the first
time her eyes fell upon the robe she wore.
why, this Is Francisco's. Where is
Francisco
Eat and drink, he repeated
She did his bidding mechanically
watching his face the while with wonder
ing and frightened eyes.
Now, " she said, "tell me. l can bear
this no longer Where arc Francisco and
Otter
ALAS, Juanna, they are deadl'' he an
swered s6leInnly.
"Deadr' she walled, wringing her hands.
Francisco dead2 Why, then, are we still
aliyef"
Bear up and listen, Juanna. After
you went to sleep in tho palace Soa came
TO Us with plan which we accepted"
what was the planf'' she asked
hoarscly.
Twice he strove TO tell her, and twice he
failed. The words would not come
go on. Why do you torment me5"
at was this, Juanna-that Francisco
should be dressed in the robe of AGA and
offered up with Otter in your place, while
you were hidden away
HAS it been done9" she whispered.