Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1895-04-13
CHAPTER XXI.

| Then Leonard told her of his love, speak
| ing TO her earnestly hopefully and most
tenderly, as such "A man might speak to
| the woman whom he worshiped and with
whonf in some few hours he expects TO
| travel to that shore of which we know
nothing, though day and night we hear
the waves that bear us onward break upon
its beach, They talked for long, and ever
while they talked Juanna grew gentler
and more human, as the barriers of her
pride melted in the fire of her passion and
the shadow Of death gathered thicker up
on her and the man she loved. AT length
her strength gave way utterly, and size
wcpt upon Leonard's breast like some
frightened child, and from weeping sank
into deep slumber or swoon, he knew not
which. Then he kissed her upon the fore
head, and carrying her to her bed laid her
| down to rest awhile before she died, re-
turning himself to the throneroom Here
he found Francisco and Otter
Look here, baas, /" said the dwarf, pro-
lucing from beneath his goatskin CLOAK
an article which he had employed the last
hour in constructing. Itwas fearful and
a wonderful instrument, made out of the
TWO saerificial knives that had been left
oy the priests on the occasion of the alb
;traction of the last of the settlement men
The handles of these knives Otter had
dashed together immoyably with strips Of
hide, forming a weapon two feet or moro
in length, of which the curved points pro-
jected in opposite directions.
What is that for, Otter?" said Leonard
carelessly, for he was thinking of other
things.
''This is for the crocodile to eat, baas. ]
had seen his brothers caught like that be-
fore in the marshes of the Zambezi, " re
piled the dwarf, with a grin. Doubtless
he thinks to eat me, but have made an
other food ready for him. All, of one thing
l am sure-that if he comes out there will
be good fight, whoever conquers in the
end y
Then he proceeded to fix hide rope to
the handles of the knives and having
made it fast about his body with run
ming moose he coiled its length, which may
have measured some 80 feet, round and
bulk, together with the knives, beneath his
cloak and mocha.
Now am a man again, baas, " he said
grimly. 81 have done with drink ana
such follies which took to in my hours
Aye, and | shall win, baas The waters
are my home, and do not fear crocodiles,
however big-no, not one bit--for, as
told you, have killed them before. You
will sec, you will see.
Il am afraid that shall do nothing of
the sort, Otter" answered Leonard sadly,
''but wish you luck, my friend. Ii you
get out of this mess, they will think you a
god and no mistake, and should you only
find the sense to avoid drink you may rule
here till you die of old age
There would be no pleasure in that,
baas, if you were dead, answered the
dwarf, with a heavy sigh. Alas! my
folly has helped to bring you into this
trouble, but this l swear-that If / live,
and my spirit tells me that shall not 10
tonight, it will be to avenge you. Fear
not, baas When am a god again, one by
one will kill them all, and when they are
dead then l will kill myself and como to
look for you"
1T is very kind of you, Otter, am
sure, said Leonard. with something like
laugh, and at that moment the curtains
swung aside, and Soa stood before the,
accompanied by four armed priests.
What the deucen' exclaimed Leonard,
Peace, delivererl'' she said, holding IN
her hand and addressing him in the 81
sutu tongue, which, of course, those with
her did not understand Il am guarded,
and my death would be quickly followed
by your own. Moreover, it would avail you
little to kill me, for come to bring you
hope for the life of her you love and fc
your own. Listen The sun will not shi
tfa,, ho Nv hn or
gathers thick, and it will hold. Therefore
the Shepherdess and the dwarf will be
hurled from the head of the statue, while
you and Baldpate, having witnessed their
end, will be kept alive till the autumn
sacrifice, then TO be offered up with the
other victims. .
why do you come to tell us all this,
woman, said Leonard seeing that we
knew it aircady-that is, with the exccp-
ton of the news Of the postponcment of
our own fate, which /, for one. do not de
sire? What hope is there in this story? If
you have nothing better to say, get you
gone, traitress, and let us see your hateful
face no more,''
Il have something more to say, deliv-
erer. / still love the Shepherdess as You
love her. and, " she added, with emphasis
as BaJupate FOn0er also loves her- Now
this is my plan: Two must die at dawn,
| but of those two the Shepherless need not
be one. The morning will be misty, the
statue of the god is high, and one or two
! of the priests alone will see the victim
shrouded in her black robe. What If a
1 substitute can be found, so like to her in
! shape and height and features that in the
/ twilight and beneath the shadow of the
I hood none shall know them aparts'
Leonard started. who can be fouEdf'
Slowly Soa raised her thin hand and
pointed to Francisco. There stands the
man, she said. Were he wrapped in the
cloak of AGA who should know the one
from the others The pool and the snake
do not give back that which they have
swallowed. y
If Leonard had started before, now he
fairly recoiled as the full meaning of this
terrible proposition took possession Of his
mind He looked at Francisco, who-stood
by wondering. for the priest did not I'm
derstand the Sisutu dialect
Tell him, !, she said.
wait awhile, . he answered hoarsely.
Surprising that this were carried out,