Argosy, Vol. 123, No. 2 — page 60: what you’re looking at

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

194 mortals. In the end Nan-a-ta was forced to accept this attitude, for neither remon- strance, abuse, nor laughter had the slight- est effect on the elder. And not only did Nan-a-ta discover the secrets of the thaumaturgists of the Ta-an, but he invented still other magic, holding this, however, in reserve till that time should come when he could make telling use of it before the tribe, not showing it even to his own men, not even to Tah-né. When once more autumn had come around, and the crisping leaves were blown from the ‘trees, Nan-a-ta felt himself strong enough to make an effort to regain the place of honor from which Tsu-ven had cast him out. He therefore called to him Ban and Sar-no-m’rai, the strong young fighter and the councillor grown gray in years and wisdom. To them he spoke at dene saying: “In my mind it lies that the time is ripe for our return to the homes of the Ta-an Go you, then, takiag the Cave that Swims On the Water, and making all haste; more slowly will we others follow, making for ourselves another canoe. Your task will it be to spy ahead, learning what may be of the rule of Tsu-ven, whether he is loved by the people or hated, whether he is a wise and just chieftain, or weak and false. My thought is it that the latter will prove true, yet is this for you to learn. ‘“‘ Speak with the warriors of the Ta ate going secretly, to learn if the son of A-ta is favored; learn by whom is Tsu-ven up- held, and who will fight under our banner. Be crafty and cautious, gaining for us what aid may be. “Make all speed, keeping watch for us on the river on your return. And may the Great Father aid and watch over you! It is said! Farewell!” “Tt is said! Farewell!’’ replied the messengers, and turned away. Weapons and food they took, then, leaving the stockade, plunged into the forest, and van- ished as a stone dropped into deep water. Nan-a-ta summoned the rest of his people and told them what he had done, bidding them prepare for departure. Skins and clothing were bundled up, some small stores of food were taken—not much, how- THE ARGOSY. ever, since, traveling slowly, -they could live off the country—and weapons were put in good order. Then they made their way through the forest to the river, halted for the space of two days while a treé was felled and hollowed and shaped to make a canoe, and ‘paddles were cut, and set out, journeying by easy stages, for the home they had left a year before. In bow and stern L’vu and Su swung their paddles, then Kan-to and Sen-va also, while in the waist of the craft Nan-a- ta and Tah-né rested, talking much in low voices as the canoe forged ateaeny up- stream. To the girl Nan-a-ta confided his plans, so far as any could be laid, explaining with care how he hoped to work on the minds of the tribesmen to overthrow Tsu-ven, the usurper, and his friends, the treacherous priests. Fighting would there be, he said, yet he hoped but little, for it was no joy to him to slay his own tribesmen, even though they had taken arms against him, their rightful chieftain. _ No; by magic did he hope to win the contest, and to that end had he worked and studied and wrought through a full round of the seasons. Well, the event lay in the hands of the Great Father; a man could but do what in him lay! In after years did Nan-a-ta and Tah-né count those the happiest days of their lives, those warm and balmy days of autumn when, borne gently and easily upon the bosom of the mighty river, they talked over their purposes and hopes and plans. On either hand the great forest rolled in unending panorama of rich colors, unfold- ing new vistas of loveliness as the canoe rounded bend after bend. Had it not been for the vow to his mother, Nan-a-ta would have been in- ducted into the artist rather than the war- rior clan, for there dwelt within him a soul sensitive to all beauty, and the strain of the past year relaxed and his mind was at ease as he reveled in the exquisiteness of the journey, all things: combining to give the rest he needed ere taking up the strug- gle for supremacy in the tribe. He had no delusions in the matter; well comicloool C©