The Frozen Crew Of The Ice-Bound Ship; Or, Terrors Of The Arctic Region — page 61: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE FROZEN CREW AND ICE-BOUND SHIP, : 51 ‘‘Hush!” said Vanderdecken, lowering his voice. “Vex him not with reproach; the foul fiend is with us—he hears us even now.” Yeni started. “Come,” continued his companion, “ answer me. Could you be content to linger here, if my mystic power can protect you from all that is of malign influence, “T could be happy with any lot Sumach shares,” replied Yeni; ‘‘ without her, a palace would be a desert.” Then be happy, even where you are,” exclaimed the Flying Dutchman, ‘for behold, faithful to my promise, your bride is here!” As he spoke, Vanderdecken hastened towards a recess at the opposite end of the cavern, followed by Yeni. Here, under a rude archway, radiant with frost- work, the Indian stood appalled, gazing on a block of ice, but so exquisitely moulded, that it pictured to his vivid imagination the semblance of a beauti- ful woman. “Could I believe the evidence of my senses,” he cried, “this frigid mass which rivets nyy wonder- stricken eyes, and carved by no mortal, must have been once the form of a being sweet, gentle, and condescending in loveliness.” “?Tis Sumach herself, spell-bound and frozen!’’ “Hast thou deceived me, wizard?” exclaimed Yeni, mournfully, “have you destroyed her for whom I have bartered myself to thee ?” So saying, the Indian advanced to the insensate statue of ice, whose countenance was revealed more fully by the glare of a lamp which hung above the head. “Hold!” said Vanderdecken; “trust not your- self within the influence of that light, for should its fatal gleam once shine on your face you are lost, and become, even as her, a motionless image.”’ “ Be it so,” returned Yeni. “ Let me meet grate- ful death by such means.” “Madman, you know not what you ask,” said Vanderdecken. “ Have patienc, and listen to me. As soon as you have performed your promise the maiden will be restored to animation.” “Must I become a fratricide :” “Yes,’’? continued Vanderdecken, with a stern composure, even more frightful than his former im- petuosity. ‘ Within this wild retreat your brother must die by your dagger; here must he be found a livid and lifeless corpse, and beware of the conse- quences of disobedience.” The conversation of the speakers was now inter- rupted by the appearance of Hans Hinckman in the basaltic gallery of the cave. He did not descend, but by various signs and contortions gave his master to understand that a stranger had by some means gained admittance. “Ha!” exclaimed the lying Dutchman, “it is even as I anticipated; your brother has already ‘succeded in tracing me to my retreat, and an oppor- tunity is thus offered for the execution of my de- sign. | “But come,” he continued, addressing Yeni, “re- tire with me for a few minutes; at a given signal you must rush upon your victim, and earn the rich reward I have promised.” As he spoke, he drew his companion into one of the deep chasms of the cavern, and allowed the in- truder to advance without molestation. Miamas approached the spot, which seemed to him a fit residence for despair and magical power. He remained gazing for some time on the various objects that met his view, not from any impression of awe and wonder, but to obtain what silent intel- ligence they might impart. These gave no trace of the object of his vain search, nor instruction how to proceed on’ his pre- sent purpose. Looking, at length, through one of the gaps, the Indian observed a cruse of burning oil. The instant after, his eye was cast on the beloved Sumach, standing beneath it. His first impulse was to rush towards the spot; but, on perceiving her immoveable attitude, he ad vanced with cautious step. Before he could address her whom he had come to rescue, the gleam of the magic lamp fell fatally on his anxious face. In a moment the blood of Miamas froze in his veins. ‘ His limbs were stiffened with the rigidity of death. He became, as Sumach, a statue of ice. ‘Tt is accomplished,” said the Flying Dutchman, issuing from his concealment, followed by Yeni. “ Behold!” he continued, pointing to the inani- mate form of Miamas, “to what a helpless state thy enemy is reduced.” ' ‘¢ His arm is nerveless now,” said the Indian. “And you must finish the work I have begun,’’ was Vanderdecken’s answer. ‘‘It remains for you to destroy the vital spark that yet lingers in your rival’s heart. ‘Yeni paused. ** Do you still hesitate?” resumed the other “Is your courage cooled within the brief space, that you cannot fulfil the oath you pledged to me scarce three hours since ?”’ 7 ‘‘ Wizard, you ask too much of me,” exclaimed the Indian. “The stout heart that beards the white bear in the hunt, and the warrior in the battle, cannot shed a brother’s blood!” “Has not that brother wounded you in love? Injury inflicts a deeper wound than the sword. He whom you appear willing to spare, and who is now in your power, will doubtless show his gratitude for your mercy by again standing betwixt you and the being for whom you have bartered your eternal welfare.” ‘‘ Wizard, I cannot do your bidding,” replied the Indian ; ‘‘the rage of the red-man turns to pity, when he beholds the helpless state of the enemy destined to fall by his murderous hand.” ‘“Then you would meet him on equal terms,” said Vanderdecken, whose countenance betrayed a malicious smile, ‘‘and run the hazard of losing your own life, that he might uninterruptedly enjoy the triumph he has already gained in supplanting you in the heart of Sumach.” “Ah, Sumach!’’ exclaimed Yeni, casting an ardent glance upon the maiden, and then fixing a look of deadly hate upon his brother, “she never can—she never shall be his! ‘‘ Wizard,” he continued, “you know how to touch the spring which impells the heart: the name of Sumach has again called up all fond and former recollections. Yeni shall have no rival !” “‘Take your weapon in your right hand, and let your fingers clutch it with a vigorous grasp as you aim at the bosom of your victim. é‘ ‘¢ Remémber,” continued the Flying Dutchman, ‘| “Miamas once dead, thy term of misery also ex- pires; joy will then smile upon your days, and the possession of Sumach will amply compensate the withering glances of unrequited love.” ; Yeni plucked his dagger from his girdle. He grasped the messenger of death firmly in his hand. “It is a bitter moment,” he ejaculated; “yet, bitter as itis, I am tempted to brave the worst.” -“Sumach will counteract the bitterness,” whis- ECOMICHOOKS-CO