The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-02-19
CHAPTER XI.
At Obi's AItar.

The great negro lay on the ground but
a moment and was Immediately up again,
with the most furious light in his eyes,
the foam of rage on his lips. "To the
stone," he shouted. "Obi has abandoned
him. To the stone with him and the other
who protects him. Justin leaped forward
to aid the old man, with a great cry of an
ger and dismay, but beside him at once
was the watchful DiXey Lynch who, in
a trice. wrapped his long arms about the
lad and drew him violently back. Justin
fought like a wildcat. He had no weap-
ons, but struggled so well that the rover
had to exert all his strength, and cali Noll
Dade to his aid, before he could overpower
him. and drag him from the temple. That
crazed old mariner would not give his help,
however, until Lynch threatened him with
a pis tol. Tho unhappy wreteh's alteration
for the fatal mark of the snake, which he
had worshiped in Justin, had now, at
sight Of Sir Rogers angry brow, found
another object and his excitement and his
doubt were great. He ran half way to
one and back again toward the other,
staring bewildered upon each the little
sense which his life amid the horrible
mysteries of African Obi worshipers had
left hm, now scattered Al last he yield
ed to the threats of his master end be-
tween them they carried the struggling
boy from the temple. In the pause of as
constituent which Sir Rogers appearance
with Oziel had made, the blacks, perplex-
ed at the apparition of their old land, as
DOnnereau had convinced them, no longer
inspired priest and at the temperance
OF the vanished mark of his sacredness,
we're too occupied with him to note the
disappearance of the new priest whom
Donnereau had brought to them, bearing
me distinct seal Of their strange gods
blessing. The temple was now crowded
with them, the party who had gone to the
hut to seize Sir Roger returning to join
the others. There was momentary hesita-
uon IN their action, but IL was plain that
the willy leader had a large influence over
the savage but simple souls of these su-
pefstitous Africans. For moment only
they halted and then as he rose bleeding
10 ais feet and addressed them in their
own narbarous tongue it was evident that
he aroused in them not merely the fury
OF religious fervor, but the bestial passion
Ior olood-for sacrifice. Yet there were
some who, looking on their old priests
stern brow, called out against Donnereau
ana held back. The majority, however
IoHoWed the escaped slave and pushed on
the doomed old man.
ne utter horror of the thing. as Oziel
feailzed what the intention of the negroes
was, Tor moment paralyzed his thought
ana his arm. Never, in the worst night
iudie Oh childhood, had his brain conjured
up more hideous and unnatural scene
tlda TINS. The heat was still intense, not
now with the fierce but frankly scorching
5laIe OF tropical sun, for the sky was
uarkening and the sun was only visible
as an angry red blur, but with a close
diu SQIOcatinO nnrrnectA,, f..t,
s e'e nerves of man. The low temple was
%lied with the nauseating aroma of a
nunured excited, shouting, naked negroes,
whose yellow eyeballs and shining teeth
we're turned upon Sir Roger and him. like
we herce eyes and tusks of hungry
%olVes. Donnereaus great voice rose
a'oVe the tumult; he seemed now TO
none q hymn, a call to blood. And as
snat wild song reached the ears of the
laanatlcs they joined in it, beating their
'''Nus together and stamping their feet
~ furious harmony, their gestures
sowing momentarily more abandoned.
~ No. voices harsher, until, when they had
"olAed themselves into the madness of
complete blood thirst, at Donnereau,s sign
them down. anu Doi
>o.Ite nope had Oziel as they came.
liner SIR Roger nor he were armed. for
fra. anu ia Justins pistols had been taken
'n them long before this, but i'm a cor
c. EN- Oh the temple the cunning face of old
r rao'Iel Murrin hid backed by the few
o1 vu ne had brought from the schooner.
bpA'ei called to him for help, babe Kim. as
b" was Christian and a white man.
Ave ms men protect them, fire upon the
v. V"" OF blacks. This appeal was in
It p.,'' 1t was hard to read the mind of the
ot sUe shrlveled merchant. A chasing string
HI. SSinsh Tears and desires fitted across
r i9 race Fear for himself in that weird
80 Oh angry negroes, hatred OF Oziel.
r.. calculated expediency of having Sir
d7er removed from his own path to the
tbo,iet1 treasure, with yet a sentiment,
5 ,'0ush weak of horror at the heathenism
fn,,, a"-these emotions alternately lit his
rho i've eye and gave little hope to Oziel.
men covered behind him, waiting.
Us. 'ney ever waited, the order of the mas
tio,,' WON they had always obeyed unques-
ror 'a oly' They eyed the blacks with ter
tb, now SO strange and ferocious we're
krcts' estures and cries Of the savages, ana.
o,o lhg they were outnumbered twelve TO
'-i pressed back into tho oorpo.- ale y