Waterbury evening Democrat., 1895-01-11
THE PEOPLE
 OF THE MIST.
Copyright, 1898, by the AU:hOr.l CHAPTER XNVIu
By H. RIDER HAGeARD.

over, she was mad with hatred and long ing for revenge on Leonard, Otter and in a 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 repassed the gates of death scathiessA But now it was another matter. Soa would tell the truth to the priests, who, even if they were inclined to desert her fa- 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.
 It 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 every thing, would not dare to all low them to appeal to tho 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 are always some who would be glad to step in the shoes of a high priest; also Nam had blundered so, 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, sharporcd their sense of dan ger in which they had been placed by Soa s. readiness and cunning. Indeed their es- cape was matter Uf life and death to them and many hundreds of their adherents. If oncc they could reach the temple and pro claim the rcariscu gods to the people, all would go well, for the army would suffice to keep the priests from using violence, | but if they failed in this their death war rant was alfcady signed, for none of them would ever be heard of again.
 No wonder, then. that they hurled themselves dcspairingly upon the stubborn doors. For an hour and moro they labored, but all ill vain. The massive timbers of hard wood. six inches ar more in thick | ness, could scarcely be touched by their l 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 a batter l ing ram.
 It is uselcss,' said Leonard at last, throwing down his knife in despair This wood is liko iron. It would tako us Q week to cut through it.
 ''Why not try fire, haasf" suggested Ot- ter.
 Accordingly they attempted to burn down the doors, with the result that they nearly stifled theIpselvcs in the smoko and made but littlc impression upon the wood | work
 At length they gave up the experiment | it was a 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- cmics were gathered there.
 Has any ono suggestion to make?" said Leonard at last If not, 1 think that this game is about played"
 ''Baas, answered Otter, II have a word to say. We can all go down through that hole by which came up to you. The Wa ter dwellCr iS dead l slew him with my own hand. so there is nothing to fear from him. Beneath the hole is tunnel, and that tunnel leads to the slope of the noun tain above. At the top of the slope is an ice bridge hy which men may reach n fair | country if they have a mind to-
 ''Thrn for heavens sake, let us cross l it," put in JUanna.
 T have seen that bridge" said Olfau while the captains stared wopdcringly at the man whose might had prevailed against the ancient snakc4 but never yet have heard of the man vaho dared to set his foot upon it "
 It is dangerous, but it can be crossed, |" replied Otter. At tho least, it is better to try it than 10 stay here to be murdered by the medicine men"
 II think that we will go Leonard, ' said Jnanna If l am to die, wish to do so in the open. Only what is to become of Namf And perhaps Olfan and the cap tains would prefer to stop here?'
 Nam will go with us wherever We go, '' answered Leonard grimly. We have a long score to settle with that gentleman. | AS for n1f.r, ha fhnx- Sf | please themselves.
 What will you do, Olfan!' asked Ju- anna, speaking to him for tho first time since the scene in the other prison.
 1t seems. queen, he answered, with downcaSt eyes, that 1 have sworn to de- fcnd you to the last, and this will do the morn readily because now my life is of It, tie valuo. As for my brethren here. think that like you, they will choose to die in the open mir rattirr than wait to be mur- dGred by the priests,
 The thrcC captains nodded an assent to his words, and then they set to work.
 First they took food and drink, of which there was an ample supply in the other cell, and hurricdy devonring some of 1t disposed the rest about their persons as best they could. for they foresaw that even if they succeeded tn escaping it was likely that they would go hungry for many days. Then Leonard wrapped Juanna in a goat skin cloak which he took from one of the dead priests, placing the second cloak over his own shoulders, for he knew that 1t would be bitterly cold on the mountains. Lastly, they tied Nam's 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 the ground the priests began to batter upon the doors of the cell with beams of wood, or some such heavy instruments.
 Quick. Juannar' 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 Ot- 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:"
 ''ThCre is q bag yonder by the water dweller's bed, baas, answered the dwarf carelessly, but I did not trouble to look into 1t. What is tho use Of the red stones to us now?'
 None but they may be of use after ward, if we get away"
 Yes, baas, if we get away" answered Otter, bethinking himself of the fec bridge. Well, we can pick 1t up as we SC along"
 Just then Nam arrived, having been let down by Olfan and the captains, and stood . . glaring round him, not without awe, for neither he nor any of his brethren had ever dared to visit the home of the snake god. Then the captains descended, and last of all came Olfan.
 We have little time to spare, deliver. | er," said tho king. ''The door Is falling, '' and as he spoke they heard 0 great crash above. Otter jerked furiously at the rope, till by good luck one end of the stake slid 1 oyar .he etigo of tba hn1e and fk falI