The Washington times., 1903-01-25

influence which he felt was slowly
/ overpowering him. His brain reeled .
/ the columns UNFOLDING the dimly Tit
room seemed cfrcling about him: he
strove to withdraw his hands from
the priests grasp. But the viii which
enthralled him conquered all oppoei-
ton Slo'EIy he sank back upon the
trough bench beside the table. He
fought no longer. He was passive in
the priests hands. The voice of the
wonderful old man seemed TO reach
his dulled ear from a great distance.
Look" commanded the priest.
Behold the end Of thy plans, Oh wor-
shipper Of the god of gold.'
'keeth's eyes slowly closed. and yet
he saw. The walls Of the cavernous
room seemed like a cloud. It was a
cloud in motion. rolling, writhing,
changing form continually.
Suddenly it opened, and through the
mysterious gloom a picture took shape
and grew under his gaze. It was
precipice, and hanging from its verge
by a slender thread Of hemp was
man UNFOLDING the siis.,t figure Of a
woman. The mans face was his own:
the girl WAS the Indian maiden whose
Life he had saved that very day.
Quickly this picture passed. he saw
his companions and himself in the
strange city OF the descendants Of the
Incas. These first visions were fndis-
tinct, but as he looked those which
followed were palmer.
He saw himself. and Ford. and
Fitch, in what looked ike a great
arched cave The walls glIttered with
gems. Heaps OF golden bars, such as
Jose Rodriguez had brought from the
Incas' treasure cave, flashed back the
light Of their torches. But always
with them was the face Of the girl.
Imozene- No picture, as they passed
in Kaleidoscope rapidly before his
eyes, was complete without her
Then the cloud writhed and twisted
like a mortal in agony, and from cut
Of it appeared visions Of great rocks,
scanned with glittering gold. He saw
men mining the precious metal: first
himself and his comrades; then others
Joined them. Houses and towns
sDrang up on the rugged plateaus cf
the mountains. The miners increased.
and then he saw the peaceful valley
Of the Indians agafn-but, oh, how
changed, The light on this picture
was dim, but ne beheId the PROSTATE
forms of dead men, and pools Of blood,
and fearful strife. The miners were
battling with the ancient occupants Of
the valley.
He saw himself fighting in the ranks
Of the victorious white men. He gave
and received blows. The din of battle
was in his ears. Then the awful car
mage ceased The valley was dotted
with the bodies of the dead. There
We're no more of the children o.. the
Incas to battle for their homes and
affairs
Yet the man whom he recognized as
himself fought on. He was opposed by
but one enemy-a figure so slight. so
ethereal, that it evaded his fierce
oaslaUghts, and for a long time es-
caped his vengeance tt was covered
with mantle and its face he could
not see. But at length his sword
Glove his enemy through He pulled
the dripping blade from the inert
body and waved it over his head in
triumph. But, as the body OF his foe
fell, the mantle came away from the
face and it was revealed. It was the
white, dead face Of the girl, Imozene,
Keeth shrieked aloud at the awful
sight. He struggled with unseen
hands; he fought for breath. And
then, of a sudden. he found himself
lying in the old priests arms, who
held cup OF some liquor to his lips. /
Drink" he commanded, and as
Keeth obeyed the old man said:
What thou hast seen. remember. As
thou seest, SO shall it be If my people
let thee go. Forget not. oh, rash
mani"