The Elk Mountain pilot., 1924-12-25
v

vi
Fear and curiosity formed the chief
elements of the unusual animation in
the natives settlement. Great hustle
of preparation was. in progress-spear-
ing of fish. gathering of fruit. by men
while the smoke of many fires. ascend
ing into the still air Indicated the occu-
patton of the women.
Had not the chief ordered unlimited
feasting to pacify the stomachs. music
to delight the senses of the Terrible
Ones? Balhuaka. the stone god. looked
incongruous among garlands of trail
Ing vine and the feathery leaves of
tree ferns. Before him stood the sac
riticial t>ble-a massive tree trunk
stripped Of its bark. upon which was
piled heap of dried sticks and I'M
dergrowth.
Baihunka ever demanded sacrifice
at full moon and the moon was now nj
the full; and the people tremhlcd for
the selection had heen reserved for the
Great White Chief. and who could Tell
what ruthless cruelties he might no;
exact?
wept. People stunned her hut. al
though II was NOT yet proclaimed tabu.
She knew well what was in their
minds. With no superficial civilization
causing them to hide their natural in
stinct of self-protection. they openly
hailed this possible substitute for an
offering. Some OF her friends even
tainted her with their hopes. II she
appeared outside
"A-Ga a-aa, Weep. Meamaa! The
little one is with thee for the day:
hut. a-aai with the setting of the sun
he shall become as the smoke curlinc
up TO the nostrils of the Great White
Chief, Weep, Meamaa -
Yet she was one of themselves. and
the child favorite She thought none
the worse of them: they knew not the
art of wearing double faced masks.
Meanwhile. the dreaded visitors were
being escorted with some dignity
through the lntricacies of the thick
inland vegetation. Although obviously
terrified. the old chief bore himself
well. maintaining natural dignity
with his humility.
Chimabahoi. emboldened by a friend
ly overture. put into words a question
which had long troubled him.
"Where dwell thy tribe o Mighty
Chief?" he inquired. with some trepida-
tion. 'No white warriors were visible
around thy dwelling upon the coral
shore. Do they. perchance. live in the
rocks. or in holes deep within the
earth?"
For moment the other was mysti-
fed. Then. remembering the natives
tribal instinct, he seized this advantage
and stood up. waving his arms as II
to include the universe
MY tribe" he explained equivocally,
''is ever present; 1t ever surrounds us
Armed and ready At any moment to
come to our aid, II waits. though in
visible to mortal eve. Earthly habita-
tion Is not necessary for the White
Chiefs warriors"
The old native glanced about un-
easily, a look of alarm overspreadng
his face. His sense of drama rising
"ith t'' S''uoboh' man
II regal hand.
peace, o Chief Have no fear
They will not touch thee without my
command.
81 and my tribe would he friendly ia
thee and thine. Why hast thou been
hostile unto us? Why has thou 50
tempted the wrath of the gods who
sent us hither, by greeting US with
spear and arrow?"
Chimabahoi beat his breast, looking
fearfully at Croft
at was the Vow" he said in a low
tone
"The Vowf What vow?"
"The Vow of Vengeance-of Hate"
The old man rose, and walked to and
fro feverishly pulling his beard. oh
viously laboring under some strong
emotion. At last he paused opposite
them. and they saw tears upon his
wrinkled black cheeks. "Hearken.
Great Chiefl"' he said. "The white
man came before, not many summers
past. He came in great numbers, and
he kill A-aal He let loose his magic,
and he kill most of my tribe with his
smokel It hit them, making holes.
leaving little hard ball-devils behind.
Omr Lnnes were near thine own, even