Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-02-05
CHAPTER MI
Jana

MO BREAKFAST was brought to us that
~ morning probably for the reason that
there was none to bring. This did not mat
ter however, seeing that plenty of food
accumulated from supper ana other meals
stood in a corner of the house virtually
untouched 50 we ate what we could and
then paid our usual visit to the hut in
which the camemen mad been confined.
say had been, for now it was quite empty.
the last poor fellow having vanished away
like his companions.
The sight of this vacuum filled me with
a kind Of fury.
.They have all been murdered" said
to Marut.
no" he replied with gentle accuracy
''They have been sacrificed TO Jana. What
we have seen on the markct-place at night
was the rite Of their sacrifice Now it will
| be our turn, Lord Macumazana."
We'll" I exclaimed, II hope these devils
| are satisfied with Janas answer to their
| accursed offerings. and if they try their
| fendsh pranks ON us"
Doubtless there will be another answer.
But, Lord, the question is, will that help
| us?"
Dumb with mpotent rage I returned to
the house where presently the remains Of
the reed gate opened. Through It appeared
| Simba the King, the diVlner with the in
| jured foot walking upon crutches and 9TH
ers. of whom the most were more or less
| wounded, presumably by the hailstones.
| Then it was that, in my wrath ! put OF
| the pretense of not understanding their
| language and went for them before they
| could utter single word.
where are our servants, you murder
! crs?" / asked, shaking my fist at them.
| "Have you sacrificed them TO your devil
god? If so behold the fruits of sacrifice -
and ] swept my arm toward the country
beyond where are your crops?' / went
| on. Tell me on what will you live this
wnter?" CAT these words they quailed.
| In their Imagination already they saw
| famine stalking toward them) why do
| you keep us here? Is it that you wait for
| a worse thing to bcfall you? Why do you
| visit us here MOVE" And / paused, gasping
with indignation.
1--WE come to look whether you had
brought back to life that doctor whom you
killed with your magic, white man. an
swered the king heavily.
stepped to the corner of the courtyard
and, drawing aside a mat that had thrown
| there, showed them what lay beneath
Look then" 1 said, "and be sure that
| IL you do not let us go, as yonder thing is,
| so shall all of you be before another moon
has been born and died. Such is the life
| we shall give TO evil men like you"
Now they grew positively terrified.
| Lord" said Smba. Tor the first time
| addressing me by a title of respect, your
| magic is too strong for us Great mis-
| fortune has fallen upon our land. Hun
| dreds of people are dead, killed by the ice
| stones that you have called down, our
| harvest is ruined and there is but little
| corn left in the storepits now when we
looked TO gather the new grain. Messen-
| gers come in from the outlying land telling
| very many of the cattle are slain, Soon we
| shall starve,"
"As you deserve TO starve," I answered,
| "Now will you let us go?''
| Simba stared at me doubtfully, then
| began TO whisper into the ear OF the lamed
| diviner. / could not catch what they said
| so l watched their faces. That Of the
diviner, whose head I was gtad to see had
| been cut by hailstone so that both ends
| of him were NOW injured, told me a good
| deal His mask had been ugly, but now
that il was off the countenance beneath was
| far ugl.er OF negrod type pendulous
| Tipped, ssnsuous and loose eyed he was in
| deed a hideous fellow, yet very cunning
| and cruel looking, as men OF his class are
apt to be. Humbled as he was for the
moment, l felt sure that he was still plot
ting evil against us, somewhat against the
will of his master. The issue showed that
1 was right. At length Smba spoke, say
ing:
the priest of the Child here as hostages
against mischief that might be worked on