Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1895-05-11
THE PEOPLE
OF THE MIST
By n. RIDER HAGGARD.
copyright, 1898, by the Author.l
(coNTrKUED.l

CONTINUED
! AT tho words Nam seized her arm, say
Ing, Come hither Shcpherdess, and you
shall see something, " and he led her to
that door by means of which Leonard had
been entrapped. AT the same time Soa
extinguished one of the candles, and tax
| ing the other In her hand left the cell,
| boiling the door behind her, so that Nam
| and Juanna stood in darkness
"ShepherGess, said Nam stcrnly, "you
arc about to sec him whom you name the
deliyerer Now, remember this--if you
cry out or speak above whisper he dies. :"
| Juanna made no answer, although she
| felt her heart grow faint within her. Five
minutes or more passed, and of "a sudden
panel slid back in the upper part of the
door which connected the two cells, so
that Juanna could see through it, al
though those who stood on the farther
side could not see her, for they were in
| light, and she was in darkness
And this was what she saw: Ranged
against the wall of the second prison and
opposite to her were three priests holding
candles in their hands, whose light shone
upon their sullen, cruel faces and the
snakes head tattooed ON their naked
| breasts. In front of these men stood two
other priests, and between them Leonard,
bound and gagged. On the other side of
the cell and not more than two feet from
the door, through the open panel of which
Juanna was looking, was Soa, on whom
the eyes of the executioners were fixed, as
though awaiting a command. Between
Soa and these men yawned an open hole
in the rock floor
When Juanna had gazcd upon this
scene some 30 seconds, the sliding panel
was closed, apparently by Soa, and Nam
spoke:
You have seen, Shcpherdess, +" he said,
THAT tho dclivercr is bound and you have
also seen that before him is q hole in the
floor of the rock. He who falls down that
hole Shephcrdess, finds himself in tho
den of the snake beneath from the visit
ing of whom TO man has ever returned
alive, Tor it is through it that we feed tho
water uweller at certain seasons of the
year and when there is no sacrifice. Now,
Shepherdess, you must choose between
two things-either to wed Olfan of your
own free will this night or to see the de-
liyerer thrown to tho snake before your
eyes and afterward to wed Olfan whether
you will or not. What do you say, Shep-
herdesst'
.Juanna took counsel with herself and
came to the conclusion that she would re-
sist little longer, for she thought this
scene had been planned to try her forti-
tudc
Il refuse to marry Olfan."
Then Nam opened the panel and whis-
pered word into the ear of Soa, who ut
tered command. Instantly the two ex-
ecutioner priests flung Leonard on to his
face upon the ground an easy task, seeing
that his legs were fastened with ropes,
dragged him forward until his head hung
over the oubliettelike hole. Then they
paused, as though awaiting for some fur
ther order Nam drew Juanna some few
PAGES back from the door.
''Whatis your word now, Shepherdess?"
she said Is the man to die or be savedf
Speak swiftly"
Juanna glanced through the opening
and saw that now Leonard's head and
shoulders had vanished down the oubliette
while one Of the priests held him by the
ankles watching Soa for the sign to let
him go.
Loose him, - said Juanna family II
will marry Olfan. "
Stepping forward, Nam whispered to
Soa, who issued another order. Thereupon
the priests drew Leonard back from his
perilous position and rolled him to the
side of the cell unwillingly enough, for
they would have preferred to be rid of
him At that moment also tho shutter
was closed.
Il said loose him., repeated Juanna.
Now the man lies on the ground like
fallen tree unable to move"
Nay, Shcpherdess, replied Nam, ''per-
chance you may yet change your mind,
and then it would be troublesome 10
bind him afresh, for he is very strong and
violent. Now listen, Shepherdess. When
Olfan comes presently to ask your hand,
you must say nothing of chat man yon-
der, for he deems him to be dead, and the
moment that you speak of him he will be
dead. Do you understand"
Il understand" answered Juanna.
but at least tho gag might be taken from
his mouth. -
Fear not, Shcpherdcss. 1t shall be
done when you have spoken with Olfan.
And now ut what hour will it be your
pleasure to see him."
when you will. The sooner it is fin
ished the better"
Good. My daughter, " he added to Soa,
who just then entered the cell, "be pleased
to make fire and then summon the king
Olfan, who waits without -
Soa departed upon her Grand, and over
come with emotion which she would not
show Juanna sank upon the couch, hiding
her face in her hands. For awhile there
was silence, and then the door opened
again, and, heralded by Soa, Olfan, the
king stood before her.
Be careful, Shepherdcss, " whispered
Nam as they entered lone word, and
the deliverer dies"