Argosy, Vol. 123, No. 2 — page 67: what you’re looking at

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

across his eyes as though the light were painful, and fell at Nan-a-ta’s feet, beg- ging miserably for pardon, for mercy, for a swift death. Nan-a-ta looked scornfully at the cowering wretch and strode into the cave, turning to say: “To-morrow at this hour will I come forth!” The rock was rolled before the cave, and the people waited—few indeed returned to their caves, but fires were built and food eaten on the spot. From time to time they was a stir within the crowd as one or an- other came or left, but for. the most part they sat silent, watching. From within the cave there came the sounds of blows, but after a few hours these also ceased, as had those of Tsu-ven, and all was silent. : Tsu-ven and Sa-ko and the other priests were herded in a little circle, enclosed by an armed guard, and Tsu-ven found words to say: ‘“‘ The sounds are hushed; it may be that his magic has deserted him!” “Nay,” replied Sa-ko, shaking his head despondently, “ that would be too good for- tune! We may not think it!” For a long time no sound was heard from ‘the cave; the night passed away, its silence broken only by the rush of the stream, the whispering of the trees, the crackle of the fires, and from time to time the cry of some hunting beast. All the tribesmen were clus- tered about the cave, and when dawn came all eyes were turned toward the mighty rock. No sound, no stir! Quiet, silent, move- less, its huge bulk still blocked the way. A great sigh went up from the crowd, a sigh of disappointment—they had hoped for a ‘miracle! Hoped? Nay, believed! And now they were betrayed! ; | But even as the sigh arose there came a crackling from the boulder; a slight noise, in truth, but one that caught all ears. To- ward the rock the people pressed, and one cried: ‘See! A rift!” And sure enough there was to be seen a faint crack, no more than a line, on the surface of the stone. Now from within there sounded once more the sound of hammering, then silence fell. But -now none moved without; intent, eager, THE MASTER OF MAGIC. 201 they watched—an hour passed—another— and then, just as disappointment was seiz- ing the people, the cracking noise sounded again—the rift widened—the noise grew to a rending, tearing sound as though a moun- tain were being riven apart—and with tre- mendous roar the great rock split in two— the halves fell apart—and forth from the cave stepped Nan-a-ta! With one accord the waiting people fell to their knees, they bent forward, heads to the ground—this was a god! They had be- lieved, in truth, that he would escape; this had they known, convinced of his power by the marvels they had seen—but that he . should rend the huge rock! “Hail, Master of Magic! Look with favor on thy people, Child of a God!”’ rose. the cry as Nan-a-ta strode into the sun- light. From the rear of the crowd there leaped a young, lithe figure, running swiftly up the slope toward Nan-a-ta—it was Tah-né. Into her lover’s arms she flung herself, sob- bing on his shoulder, while he patted her gently and whispered soothing words. ‘“ My love, my love!” she cried. have feared; with terror has my heart been filled!” . “ Foolish one!” he answered, half laugh- ing. ‘‘ Had you no faith in Nan-a-ta?”’ But she clung to him, sobbing and laugh- ing together, while the people of the Ta-an, sensing that their god was in kindly mood, took heart and pressed closer, clinging about his knees and begging forgiveness for the wrong they had done. At length Nan-a-ta succeeded in quieting _the people, and called a council of the elders to decide the fate of Tsu-ven and the priests. At the Rock of Council they met, and after a debate which lasted till late in the afternoon, it was resolved that the “minor priests, who were thought to have been’ misled by Sa-ko, should be deprived of their office, but their lives should be spared; Tsu-ven and Sa-ko, conspirators to set aside the will of the Lord of the Winged Death, must die. A messenger was sent to the cave where the prisoners were held, and presently the guard returned, leading the lesser priests, cComicloooks ages C©@