Argosy, Vol. 123, No. 2 — page 61: what you’re looking at

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

~ THE MASTER OF he knew that a fierce and bitter struggle lay before him, but for the time he put the thought away and gave himself over to sheer enjoyment—a much-needed rest, in -very truth, for he was thin and haggard from the intense concentration of the months past. Indeed, one who had known him a year before would scarce have recognized him now. Then, though lean and wiry as be- came a warrior, he had been round of cheek and unlined of face, a youth of pleasant features and ready smile. Now, on the other hand, his cheek had sunk— though he was not gaunt—and the months of labor, of forcing his mind to’ unremit- ting study, had set his mouth in a firm line and graven deep furrows on cheeks and brow. _ Also, his eyes glowed with a fiercer light, and he had a trick of fixing them, the lids slightly narrowed, with unwinking gaze on whomever he spoke with. This steady, unwinking stare was most disconcerting; even L’vu and the others, all men known for their courage among a brave people, could not endure this fixed look, but after a few seconds were forced to turn their eyes away. It was not, indeed, lack of courage that compelled them; rather was it that they knew themselves in the pres- ence of a stronger will. Presently the voyagers renuhied the junc- tion of the rivers, and bore to the left, going steadily onward, though traveling slowly and camping much along the shore. At length, on the twenty-eighth day of their journey, they caught sight of a canoe, manned by a single paddler, coming swiftly down-stream. They took up their arms, holding them- selves in readiness for a possible attack, but as the craft came,nearer they saw it was Ban,. alone. Fear laid a cold hand on the heart of Nan-a-ta, and as soon as the canoes drew , close he called for news of Sar-no-m’rai. Ban laid his paddle athwart the canoe and doubled over in uncentrollable mirth. Then, regaining words: ‘Great Chieftain,” he said, “in very truth, none is there like to that craftiest ‘bf the crafty! Into. the very cave of Tsu- -on within. a hande” MAGIC, 195 ven has he gone, saying he hates you and wishes you evil—Tsu-ven, believing, has received him with words of kindness, mak- ing him chief of his councillors.” “And you?” asked Nan-a-ta. ‘““ Nay, Great Chieftain, Tsu-ven knows me not. Without the homes of the Ta-an did I make my camp, Sar-no-m’rai from time to time bringing word of what went And, Great Chieftain ’—here Ban broke off to chuckle grimly—*“ since the hour when Sar-no-m’rai set foot in the cave of Tsu-ven twelve of the warriors of the usurper have disappeared! yi “eMIAIN Pe. Soe ‘“ Nay, that is not known to me. Naught said Sar-no-m’rai save that they had dis- appeared!” Nana-ta chuckled; well could he picture the fierce old warrior stealing on silent foot behind some man of Tsu-ven’s and silenc- ing him with swift dagger-stroke or blow: of that heavy ax of flint, afterward weight- ing the body with stones and rolling it into the river or hiding it. in the undergrowth. “But of the rest?” inquired Nan-a-ta. “Is Tsu-ven beloved of the Ta-an? Do the tribesmen hold with his rule?” ‘“* Beloved ’?” echoed Ban. “ Hated, rather! By fear alone does he hold his place. Living but for pleasure, not in the slightest regards he the welfare of the tribe, but even ’’—and Ban’s voice dropped to a hushed and horror-stricken whisper—‘ on . the Great Altar are men and women of- By order of Sa-ko and | fered in sacrifice! by the will of Tsu-ven is this done!” Nan-a-ta dropped his face in his hands and groaned, then looking up, raised his hands toward the sky. “Great Father, O-Ma-Ken,” he prayed aloud, “ grant me, I pray, to avenge this wrong, to right this evil, yea, though my life be forfeit in the doing! ” Then turning once more to Ban, he asked: ‘What of the wvarriors? Will they join with me? Or rules Tsu-ven with too stern “ Great Chieftain,” was the reply, .“‘ Sar- no-m’rai, most trusted of the councillors of Tsu-ven’”’—Ban chuckled once more, - and in spite of himself Nan-a-ta smiled grimly— Sar-no-m’rai goes among the COMICLOO© S (C©