Argosy, Vol. 123, No. 2 — page 48: what you’re looking at

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

182 gave no sign; one seeing them might have thought it a matter of no moment at all that was at stake. And still the tension grew. At length one of the arrows—that of Nan-a-ta—stirred slightly. Instantly there came a response—the other moved as well! Through the crowd there ran a gasp of amazement, stilled at once by the strange spectacle, for, untouched by human hands —indeed, none stood within three paces of the altar—the arrows battled, rising, fall- ing, advancing, retreating, driving fiercely at each other, reeling from the shock, dodg- ing back and forth, maneuvering for posi- tion, feinting, striking in—and all alone on the smooth surface of the empty altar! Forward and backward swayed the bat- tle, the advantage now with one and now with the other, till in the end the arrow of Nan-a-ta—the red-winged one—grew weaker and weaker, retreating before the plunging assaults of the other till the edge of the altar was reached. Here for some moments it made a stand, but at last its resistance grew fainter and fainter till it lay quiet; the arrow of Tsu- ven, victorious, triumphant, rose to its full height and hurled itself across its van- quished antagonist—and the two lay at rest, the upper twitching slightly, as a warrior might lie panting over the body of aslain adversary. From the crowd there swelled a shout: ‘“Tsu-ven! Tsu-ven! Death to Nan- a-ta!”” Weapons were grasped, and the multitude swayed forward, to be quieted by the raised hand of Sa-ko, who stepped forward, lifted the arrows, and returned them to their owners. One voice had raised in a cry of: ‘Treason! Here is trickery!” and Nan- a-ta shuddered as he recognized the tones of Tah-né the girl he loved. He feared for her; cast down by the outcome of the test, half-doubting, half-believing, he yet dreaded lest she, by her rashly impetuous defence of him, might incur the anger of the priests. Turning, he raised his hand, and the girl was silent. Nan-a-ta faced the altar again, and strove to speak, but Sa-ko silenced him. “Men of the Ta-an,” cried the Chief THE ARGOSY. Priest, “let there be no injustice. The trial by battle of the arrows might. per- chance mislead, one being stronger than the other through might of incantation. This further test cannot fail. Son of A-ta, the ivory staff!” Reluctantly, yet compelled by force of public opinion, Nan-a-ta stepped forward, laying in Sa-ko’s hand the ivory staff of ceremony. “Stand you there,” said Sa-ko, pointing to the right side of the altar. : Tsu-ven, you there.” Midway of the two, the handle pointing outward, he laid the staff, then prayed once more with bent head and folded hands. ~ ‘“O-Ma-Ken, Great Father,” he said, “by the battle of the arrows is Tsu-ven acclaimed Great Chieftain of the Ta-an Yet since in time past wrong has been done through might of incantation, send, we pray Thee, a sure sign. Let now this staff, carved from the tooth of Do-m’-rai, the Hill That Walks, and handed down from from chieftain to chieftain of the Ta-an, turn toward its rightful owner!” Again a deep silence fell on the crowd, each waiting eagerly the outcome. For a space the ivory staff lay quiet, motionless, then quievered slightly, the faintest possi- ble motion, hardly to be seen even by one watching main all his eyes. It rested for a time, then once more came that little quiver, and now, slowly, slowly, the staff began to move. First toward Nan-a-ta it turned, then hesitated, lay still, resumed its motion, and the heart of Nan-a-ta leaped within him— no! It stopped — lay still — quivered — moved again—and with steady, even, un- faltermg motion drew to the left, toward Tsu-ven. At the edge of the altar it stopped, within arm’s length of the son of the Lord of the Winged Death, and the Chief Priest lifted it and placed it in his hands, saying aloud: 2 Tsu- -ven, son to T’san-va-men, Great Chieftain of the Ta-an are you! People of the Mountain Caves, greet now your leader!” And from the gathering there rose a cry: ‘“ Tsu-ven! Tsu-ven!” And the people, comicboooks And he pointed to the left. C©@