Argosy, Vol. 123, No. 2 — page 44: what you’re looking at

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

178 THE Silent, striving for words; Sa-ko, did not speak, knowing well that in debate or argu- ment the one to open the discussion placed himself at a disadvantage. Presently Tsu- ven said, hesitatingly: ‘A chieftain is lacking to the Ta-an.”’ ‘“ Nay,” replied the priest, ‘the son of A-ta holds the ivory staff.” Tsu-ven fell into another brooding si- lence, gazing into the fire, while the Chief Priest glanced at him with twinkling eyes, with suppressed amusement. At length Tsu-ven burst out: “Why should the ivory staff fall to Nan- a-ta? Wherein is his merit greater than mine? Did not the father of Tsu-ven as much and more for the Ta-an than the mother of Nan-a-ta? Wherefore, then, should not Tsu-ven lead the People of the Mountain Caves?” ‘Wherefore, in very truth?” responded the priest, and Tsu-ven glanced. up, sur- prised at the note of encouragement in Sa-ko’s voice. He eyed the priest ques- tioningly, but Sa-ko gazed steadily into the fire, his face expressionless. By and by Tsu-ven continued, lowering his voice and leaning toward Sa- ko; ‘““Sa-ko, Chief Priest of the Ta-an,” he said, “ full half the men of arms of the tribe follow me rather than Nan-a-ta.”’ ‘That is well known to me,” replied Sa-ko dryly, and Tsu-ven drew back, aghast that the tale of his treason was known to one outside the circle of his adherents. But Sa-ko spoke reassuringly: ‘“Nay, son of the chieftain, had I de- sired your death, a word to your father or to one of his followers, within the past three years, and my wish had been accomplished! Speak on!” ‘You favor me?” Tsu-ven asked, slowly. ‘Nay, that is yet to see! At least do I not oppose; if reason there be, perchance may Sa-ko aid.” ‘‘ The other priests; know they as well?” ‘“ Nay, your plot is known Due to me and to those sworn to you.” An evil thought flashed en the mind of Tsu-ven; were the Chief Priest out of the way, there would be no chance of oppo- sition save from the followers of Nan-a-ta. With the thought Tsu-ven’s hand stole to cave, each fully armed, ‘drawn so near. ARGOSY. the long, keen dagger of flint which hung at his girdle, and he leaned forward as though to zise and spring on Sa-ko. The latter noted the move, smiled slight- ly, and without stirring from his place whistled shrilly between his teeth. At once the twelve minor priests stepped within the with -arrow on string, and advanced toward the fire. Tsu-ven looked about at the threatening faces, and sank back, his hand falling from the dagger-hilt; Sa-ko waved his hand, and the priests withdrew outside the cave. ‘You wish to speak with me; speak on!”’: said the Chief Priest, but Tsu-ven, a cow- ard at heart when certain death fronted him —though brave enough in battle and the chase—still shook at the peril that had At length he recovered himself and said: “Sa-ko, Chief Priest of the Ta-an, it is my desire to hold the ivory staff, to lead the People of the Mountain Caves. This may not be without the aid of the priests; the weight of battle is against me, yet, aided by the ministers of religion, the ivory staff, symbol of the chieftaincy, may yet be mine. Will you aid?” ‘Why should we aid? Is it not the will of the Lord of the Winged Death that the son of A-ta be chief?” Tsu-ven leaned nearer, bending across the hearth, whereon now only embers glowed. The faces of the two men, of the priest, strong and stern, and of the younger warrior, handsome, yet with a hint of weakyess in the chin, were illuminated, tinged to a gleaming red by the glow from the coals. Tsu-ven’s voice fell to a whis- per, barely heard by Sa-ko, as he replied: “Many years since did Snorr, Great Chieftain of the Ta-an, set aside the custom of offering men and women on the Great Altar, decreeing that none save beasts should there be slain. What if once more the priests might choose victims from among captives? And_ perchance’”—he leaned still farther forward, and his voice dropped lower still—‘‘ and perchance, after a time, from among the tribesmen?” Sa-ko sat motionless; not a muscle moved, but his deep-set eyes gleamed under their shaggy brows, for he knew well that MICLOO© S C@