Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1899-09-07

their gods had revealed himSel1.
A disdainful smile played about JuD-
bees lips, and her look, as it fell upon
their PROSTATE forms, expressed the
scorn she felt for their ignorant credu-.
lily.
..You are those whom expect, ana
thc god deigns to accept your Offering,
she said. Then, in firm tone: Go!
the lasso is in one hand, the knife IN
tho other. and put yourselves In am
hush in the defile which leads to the
cemetery. Our brother you Will per-
nit to enter; but kill, without pity.
whoever may not answer, 'DJella,
when you say silva.
The Hindoos rose, and voW1ng oDeol-
once took the direction Indicated. Inc
priestess remaining alone, threw more
coal upon the tripod to revive the
fame: then seated herself at the base
of the idol and waited. Suddenly she
started and raised her head.
a strange chant from many voices
souned in the distance, gradually draw
ing near
And in n few moments, still singing,
a large number Of men, III pleDlan
dress filed through the opening in the
rocks and formed an immense circle
about the statue of the god.
Suddenly the circle respectfully open
ed. to allow to pass through some nVe
persons, before whom every head was
bow ed. These latter were the PrlncesS
Djella, the Fakir Sounlancy, Azkpar,
Holcar and Djaal. They advanced
straiChtway to Jubilee, followed by
two Hindoos, who carried a Dasket
covered with black cloth. This basket
they placed at the feet Of the idol.
Diella then made sign to the priest
ess, who leaned toward her, and the
two exchanged few whispered words.
After this rapid interview, Jubbee
turned toward the crowd, utterlng a
single monosyllable, whose effect was
to produce profound and instantane-
GUS silence.
She then spoke.
"Sons Of the Terrible" she said;
"worshippers of silva, god OF evil, and
of Bowhanie goddess Of destruction,
YOU have penetrated into the valley OF
mystery. The god who commands hate
and revenge is in your midst. He list
ems to you. He hears you. Sing the
hymns of the god"'
Immediately every voice took up the
chant. When they had ceased, the
priestess spoke again.
''What does this sacred basket hOld?"
she asked.
'The bird of night which sings of .
DEATH" answered Fakir Souniancy.
Lift the cloth!'
One of the Hindoos was about to ex-
ecute this order when Jubbee arrested
him.
wait" she said, and added, again,
addressing herself to the crowd: eff
the bird t1es without smuggling his wing
in the flames of the tripod, and if you
hear him from affair utter sinister cry,
YOU may understand that silva smiles.
and that all our enterprises will sue
eed now
And, giving sign, the cloth was re-
moved from the basket disclosing a
huge OWL who, spreading his wings,
without approaching the flame, flew
upward ana was lv.,s :, anace.
''The bird has not touched the n1v:
exclaimed the priestess, in triumph.
"Now, listen!'
One or two seconds passed, then the
OWLS boot could be heard in the dis.
lance.
''Such signs cannot lic!' cried Jub-
bee. "SaugOr has Succeeded!'
And, as if to confirm her words, at
this moment the gigantic Hindoo ap-
peared upon the scene and bowed low
before the princess.
you have succeeded" she asked.
eyes" 81,
''He is here:'
''Yes"
Bring him before U.s."
Djella then mounted one of the
granite steps of the pedestal of the
statue, that she might command the
crowd, whom she addressed in ringing
tones.
Sons Of the Terrible" she cried, edo
you know why have gathered YOU to-
sether tonight and in this, place? 1t is
TO show you an cnemy-a conquered
enemy. Children of Bowhanie, you
will be witnesses to Bowhanie's Just
ice"'
AS she spoke, the steps of a horse
sounded i'll the defiIe. The animal led
by Sau%or. made it's way through the
crowd. which parted for it to pass: and
when it had reached the inner circle.
where feeble light fell from the burn
Ing charcoal it was seen to bear a hu,
man burden.
This burden was John Malcolm.
bound to the saddle, his hands tied be.
hind his back, bandage over his
eyes anu a gag in his mouth, which
permitted him to utter neither cry nor
mCan
At the Sight of this man, thus fet-
tered a sort Of dull SILVER ran
through the crowd.
Let him be freed. and let his band
age fall"' said the princess, imperious-
y.
The links were instantly undona
Strong hands seized, lifted him from
inc saddle and placed him before Diel-
III. AT the same moment the bandage
ana gag fell off, restoring to him his
sight and his speech.
FOR several seconds he looked about
nm bewildered, his eyes weakened hv
the bandage. had difficulty in d:-tin.
gushing objects, and could not recop.
nlZe faces.
Who has brought me here?' no do.
handed. in firm tones. "Who are this
crowd who surround me? Where am
y anu what do they desire of me9s