Argosy, Vol. 123, No. 2 — page 66: what you’re looking at

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

200 it, and half the thickness; crooked in the middle, seeming, indeed, like a half-bent arm. ‘“ Watch well!” he cried, and balanced it an instant in his hand, holding by the longer end. Two quick steps forward he took, bent low and to the side, and with an up- ward sweep of his arm hurled the stick from him. Low over the heads of the crowd it sped, barely skimming above them, then far out over the valley it soared, rising as it flew till it poised, spinning swiftly, against the clear blue sky, like a bird, three hundred paces and more away. Heads turned, peo- ple watched its flight, and Nan-a-ta, rising, stretched out his arm, crying in a loud voice: “Stick, return!” The stick seemed to hear and heed the -call—it rose still higher—turned in a grace- ful circle—swooped downward—spun over the crowd—and fell, gently, softly, at its master’s feet! Nan-a-ta picked it up and thrust it also into his girdle, while the crowd shivered—this was indeed a master of magic whom they had cast out! Sa-ko, raging, struggled loose from the slack hand of L’vu—L’vu himself had never seen the marvel of the returning stick—and ran forward. “Tricks!” he yelled. ‘‘ What are these, but tricks? Can you believe these things are done by power from on high? Be not so credulous, People of the Mountain Caves!” ‘ Nay,” broke in Nan-a-ta, “ not by me has it been said that these are miracles! Yet, Sa-ko, I have done your tricks, do you now mine, if tricks they be!” And drawing the wand and the bent stick from his girdle he held them out to the Chief Priest, crying at the same time: “ Sen-va, a bow and arrows for me!” The crowd howled its approval, and Sa- ko shrank back even as L’vu’s mighty hand closed once more on him. The people yelled and shrieked in derision, but Nan- a-ta quieted them with upraised hand. “Tricks, perchance, yet tricks the priests cannot do! Yet follows more, men of the Ta-an.”’ : - He paused and looked about, then con- THE ARGOSY. tinued, slowly and impressively: ‘“ People of the Mountain Caves, into my hands was given the staff of ceremony, carven from the tooth of Do-m’rai, the Hill That Walks. To me was it given by T’san-va-men, Lord of the Winged Death, he saying: ‘ Labor ever for the welfare of the tribe, sparing not life nor limb in their service.’ This did I swear, before O-Ma-Ken, the Great Father. So also did Tsu-ven vow, as ye heard. Has Tsu-ven kept his oath?” A deep and angry growl ran through the crowd, and Nan-a-ta went on: ‘Into the hands of its rightful master has the ivory staff returned, even as the thrown stick returned to my calling. Peo- ple of the Mountain Caves, is not the life of Tsu-ven forfeit?” ‘In very truth! Forfeit! Forfeit!” came the shouted answer, and when the _cries died down Nan-a-ta spoke again: ‘Yet would I give Tsu-ven his chance of life. Behold, men of the Ta-an, yonder lies the cave where I, Nan-a-ta, did dwell. Beside the mouth there rests a giant boulder. Let Tsu-ven enter the cave, which shall then be closed by rolling the rock be- fore it; let him remain three days; if he come forth, then shall he live, but if he come not forth, then will I take his place, cleaving the rock in proof that my words are true. Is it good?” ‘““Good!”’ cried some, and others: “ It needs not, Great Chieftain!’’ But Nan-a-ta raised his hand, saying: “Tt is my will!” ; Then to the cave was Tsu-ven hurried, trembling, shaking in every limb, crying aloud for mercy. His weapons were given him, and the rock was rolled before the cave-mouth, a watch being set. Sa-ko and the other priests were held close prisoner, and for three days the watch endured. At first were cries heard, with groans— also, sounds as though the prisoner were pecking at the rock. But gradually these were stilled, and when at the end of the time the rock was rolled away by the might of many hands Tsu-ven was found pros- trate, haggard, worn, a pitiable object, huddled in a corner of the cave. They raised him to his feet and led him forth, shuddering. He passed his hand COMICLOO S C@