The Frozen Crew Of The Ice-Bound Ship; Or, Terrors Of The Arctic Region — page 56: what you’re looking at

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

* - ~ aaa a ae - ~ > CREW AND IOH-BOUND SHIP. 46 THE FROZEN no heart can picture how fondly, how ardently this bosom throbs with affection for the bright-eyed daughter of our tribe. Say, wizard, canst thou aid the lover, and quench the fierce fire which consumes his soul?” “T have both the power and will to save thee, chief,’ replied Vanderdecken, in a deep, low tone, ‘¢ but it must be upon certain conditions.’’ ‘‘ Name them, and even before Yeni learns their purport, he at once accepts the terms, however horrible they may be.’? “Tis well; you must henceforth swear to follow my injunctions. How say you—are you ready to ratify the solemn compact between us?” __ The darkness of the impending cloud, which pre- cedes the burst of thunder, was not blacker than the brow of the Indian, as he exclaimed— “ Yeni swears to place himself under the control of him who demands his allegiance—to obey him in all things, and to worship him even as the Great Spirit.” rele is sufficient!” returned the Flying Dutchman. “ Do you keep thy oath, and I will notfail to observe mine.” “Great wizard, Yeni relies upon you in all things, | yet fain would learn by what means the project is to be carried into execution ?” “‘My design is simple and well conceived,’ re- turned Vanderdecken. ‘“ You are aware of the con- ditions upon which I deprived the Sea Dragon of its power to ravage the land. This is the day of the new ‘moon ; but hitherto the tribute of thy tribe has not been laid at the accustomed place. ‘““When the hour arrives, which completes the term, the monster will again rush from his vasty lair,” continued the Flying Dutchman, “ the region will once more be subject tu devastation, and the first object of its rage, will be the Indian maid.” . ““ How,’”’ exclaimed Yeni thunderstruck.’ ‘ The fair Sumach to be the victim of the reptile’s wrath.’’ ‘She will not be sacrificed, and her life held as sacred as the vestal fire; therefore be under no appre- hension for her safety. “ But,’’ continued Vanderdecken, ‘‘ the hour for the monster’s release is at hand. Hans Hinckman; my deformed slave shall lure it hither, and direct its course to the retreat of Sumach.’’ ‘¢ And once there ?”’ asked Yeni. “ She will vanish like a meteor to a subterranean cavern, where she shall remain till you can make her yours; while you will have no cause to regret having trusted to the promises of Vanderdecken, the Fiying Dutchman.’’ “ Yeni trusts the wizard.” ‘“‘ When next we meet you must be prepared to per- form your promise, also to obey my injunctions ; and remember, the least prevarication on your part will meet with a punishment whose severity no mortal mind can conceive.’’ As he spoke, the Flying Dutchman glided towards the upper end of the rock. His pale countenance became more cadaverous. His lips more livid. , While his eyes, deeper sunken in their sockets, were now lighted up with a bistre coloured circle around them. Suddenly the metallic rock which surrounded him opened with the fearful crash of thunder. The chasm was filled with fire. All light was then extinguished, and the form of the spectral skipper wafted, as it were, into the dark expanse. Yeni started, then remained silent and motionless, on beholding his late companion vanish through the riven opening. The next moment his glaring eyes beheld him borne away like lightning on the wings of a wild flame till he was lost, as a speck, and then disap- peared. Again the cleft closed, darkness resumed her dominion, and the Indian was left alone. CHAPTER XVIII. THE LOAD-STONE ROOK. With heavy foreboding, and oppressed with gloomy anticipations, Fergus Blake and Sumach proceeded on their road to the Dragon’s haunt. The stillness of the rugged path was broken only by the screech of the wild bird, and the howling wind. Each, wrapt in their own thoughts, readily obeyed — the Flying Dutchman’s injunction, and maintained a silence which was consonant to a moody reflection, Fergus, all at once, started as they were urging their onward course, and turned to look behind him. He had become aware that a strange foot was fol- lowing his own. Presently a dark figure presented itself in the distance. The obscurity of the region prevented Fergus from discovering whether it was that of one of the pur- suers or not; but it soon became evident, by his actions, that he was not ill-disposed towards the fugitives. Suddenly recollecting that Vanderdecken had inti- mated his intention of following them, he felt no se that the measured step he heard advancing was is. The individual in question seemed to select, by in- stinct, the blind signs of their route. He never abated his speed or paused to deliberate. A rapid and oblique glance at the objects through which he waded were sufficient to determined his path, and to remove his greatest difficulties, In the meantime the region had changed its hue, and revealed more distinctly the appearance of the expected companion of the journey. Before Fergus could recover his surprise he found, instead of the Flying Dutchman, Miamas standing by his side. Sumach, overcome with terror, felt that if she would save her lover the attempt must be made with- out a moment’s delay. While he stood paralysed, she hastily snatched a pistol from his belt, and levelled it at the Indian. The latter, nothing daunted, exposed his bosom to the threatening weapon. ‘‘ Fire,” he cried, “Sumach cannot inflict upon Miamas a greater injury than that which he has suffered already ; if he is not permitted to enjoy her love it is, at least, a happiness to die by her hands.” The unlooked for avowal caused the maid to drop © her arm and fix her eyes, with a gaze of keen inquiry, upon her rejected suitor. “Does not Miamas seek his rival’s blood ?”” “He has no rival. Miamas loves only, and must be beloved.”’ “But he can hate ?” “Not when Sumach adores. Since she rejects my suit, I must need accept her affection as a brother.” “ Can the panther be so noble ?” : ‘The generosity of the savage makes the white man blush for the errors of his kindred,” exclaimed Fergus. “ Brave Miamas,’ he continued, grasping his hand, “my tongue fails to speak my gratitude, but FOMiGDoOO