Argosy All-Story Weekly — "The Purple Limited" — page 77: what you’re looking at

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

; THE WINGS OF THE SNOW. struggled to master himself, and at length Nan-a-ta spoke: “It is said!” were his words, and he , took the statue of Tu-sen and handed it to its maker. Tu-sen trembled with rage, and his fea- tures grew black as a thunder-cloud, but he took the figure and turned toward the edge of the Rock of Council, as if to go. At the very edge he halted, swung about, spat out an oath, and dashed the statue against the reck, where it shivered in frag- ments. A groan of horror broke from the crowd — though rejected, yet was it the Star-Marked: One—and the people, rising, parted a way for Tu-sen, drawing shudder- ing back frem his path as, fists clenched, face twisted in rage, he strode away. At the verge of the clearing he stopped, whirled about, shouted: “Not mine, yet shall she not be yours!” and slipped the bow from his shoulders. Ere any could spring to stop him, ere Ku- ro could leap before the maiden, he had fitted an arrow to the string, drawn back the nock to his ear, and loosed! Straight and swift flew the shaft, burying itself deep in the bosom of Then-ai She uttered a little “cry—clasped her hands to the wound — her head dropped back—she swayed and toppled forward into the arms of Ku-ro. He caught her, lowered her to the rock, and bent over her, crying her name in agonized voice. ,A_ trickle of blood flowed out along the shaft of the arrow, she opened her eyes, smiled .fainfly at her lover, and closed them once more. From Tu-sen came a mocking laugh, and Ku-ro, leaping to his feet, seized his lance and plunged wildly in pursuit, into the corest CHAPTER ITI. INTO THE ABYSS. HEN the Lance of Dawn fell there rose from the crowd a cry of min- gled horror and grief; for all loved Then-ai. Not only was she daughter to the great chieftain, and therefore to be "-Fespected, but she h rself was most kindly and gracious, free from the alightest hint 643 of arrogance—pleasant to all, and friendly with every one. , So when Ku-ro dashed in pursuit of Tu- sen, the women and priests of the Ta-an pressed forward to give what aid they might to the stricken girl, and a score of warriors joined Ku-ro as he drove through the forest, hot on the flying footsteps of Tu-sen. ; But soon. it was apparent that the fugi- tive was not to be caught thus; swiftest of foot of all the young men of the tribe, he drew farther and farther from the chase, till at length even the sound of his fight was lost. Still Ku-ro and his followers pursued, eyes to the faint trail, till the shadows of evening closed in and it became too dark to see. So they halted, and one of the war- riors spoke to the little band, clustered to- gether in the darkening wood. “Nay,” said Ken-ah, “thus shall we not overtake the murderer. Let us rather return to the homes of the Ta-an, securing food and prepaying against a long hunt; then, taking to the trail, may we track him down and bring him back to die. on the Great Altar, as befits one who slays a tribesman.”’ “Hear me!” burst out Ku-ro furiously. ‘“‘ Never will I turn aside for one least in- stant till Tu-sen dies by my hand! Flint and firestone have I in my girdle; also, a lance and bow and arrows. Food walks in the great forest; vengeance shall be mine! By O-Ma-Ken, the Great Father, I swear that I follow the track of the slayer .of Then-ai while breath lives in my nostrils and my hand can be lifted to slay! Who- so comes with me is welcome, if he comes knowing that it is mine to avenge; whoso desires not to come may return—none faint of heart shall follow where I lead!” Ken-ah was young and hot-blooded. At these words he sprang fronting Ku-ro, and answered angrily: “ None shall call me faint-hearted!” and he raised his ax. But Ku-ro motioned him aside, with the words: “Not now. When I retufn wifh we fight if you so wish. But while Tu-sen lives I turn not aside from my vengeance for any man!” | CONMUC DOOK CO