The Frozen Crew Of The Ice-Bound Ship; Or, Terrors Of The Arctic Region — page 87: what you’re looking at

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

THE FROZEN CREW AND ICE-BOUND SHIP. “more especially those who frequent the frozen lands, where the mystic lore of Scandinavia has been imparted to their patriarchs, and before them they bend with an awe, no mere mortal terror can inflict on them.” “What do you suspect, then?” “That they have gone to consult those fabulous deities, whose power they believe still exists, and whose predictions are regarded with the reverence equal to that of the christian, for his creed.”’ “By my faith,’ said Fergus, ‘then if this is these damsels’ mission, you shall not prevail on me to go further in the devil’s road with them, for you know yourself, what is got overhis back is, you wot how. | ‘‘ We have done wrong in allowing them to leave us,” he added, ‘and it may bring our own destruc-' tion here, and theirs in eternity.” ‘“s What would you ?” ‘“ Instantly follow Sumach, persuade her to forego her superstitious purpose, and endeavour to circum- vent our enemies by more natural means.” ‘““T am as enthusiastic as you in this cause,”’ re-- plied Paul Jones, and since you consider there is danger in the adventure, we will not protract our interview, but depart at once in search of the dam- sels.” ‘‘Tt is possible that we may meet even Rotaldo himself,”’ “ Rotaldo,” echoed Paul Jones. “ Should the vil- lain come across me, he shall be welcomed with a shower of rifle balls. “Let me get within a hundred yards of him,” he continued, grasping his piece, “ and all the mis- chief he has done me, shall be balanced with an ounce of lead.” With these words the seamen hastened onwards, aid followed the track taken by Zoe and Sumach. They had now passed out of the sight. Sumach, whose step at first had been faint and feeble through anxiety and fatigue, began to erect her person, and walk with a pace firm and swift. Zoe, in fact, had some difficulty to keep up with her. She could not forbear remonstrating on the im- prudence of hurrying her steps and exhausting her force by such unneccessary haste. “Fear not, dearest Zoe,” said Sumach, “the spirit which I now feel will and must sustain me through the dreadful interview.” «© ¥ could not but move with a drooping head and dejected pace, ‘‘she resumed, while I was in view of one who must necessarily deem my present venture impious, and deserving only of pity or scorn.” ‘‘Buckra man no believe good and evil spirits live in red man’s heart,” said Zoe. “ The faith which our forefathers have implanted in our minds is despised by those who know not it’s dictates, and are as ignorant of it’s principle,” re- plied Sumach, ‘“ which is as pure as the rays of the sun reflected on the wave.”’ As she spoke thus, in a tone which afforded much confidence to Zoe, they had attained the summit of a ‘rising ground, whence they commanded a full view of the Artic Stonehenge. Tt consisted of a huge circle and semicircie, of standing pillars of ice, which glimmered with a greyish white in the distant sun, and projected far their long gigantic shadows. This stupendous monument of nature has ever operated powerfully on the imaginative minds of the inhabitants of the Frozen Regions, who assert that within its mystic precints dwell the deities known as the Valkyra of the North—three sisters employed to weave the web of fate. They are represented as being very beautiful, and 77 are to be seen, as it is reported, on the Artic seas, before any great storm or calamitous event. Imbued with the superstition of the natives, it is not to be wondered at that Sumach had resolved to apply to the supernatural beings, whose assistance was said to be so powerful that no mortal could withstand them, to aid her in the search of Emona. Being unaware of the necessary forms to compel the appearance of the magical trio, she determined to visit the necromantic cavern of Odin, and summon the familiar, to aid her in the daring project. As Sumach stood hesitating and abandoning her mind to the course of serious reflection, meditation was unexpectedly interrupted by some one touching her shoulder. She looked round, and saw a figure wrapped ina dark and ample mantle. ; It was the object of her quest, and no other than Skulda herself. The ice-witch had seen the Indian from the brow of the neighbouring ice-mount, and had descended through a small ravine, which concealed her until she came with noiseless step so close that the maiden turned round at the touch. ‘‘For what purpose do you seek Skulda?”’ asked the witch. ‘Know you not that none can enter these domains save those who acknowledge the power of its mistress?” “Tam thy devotee,’ answered Sumach, whose mind was strongly fortified by superstition. “I come to crave your assistance in a matter that con- cerns my happiness.” “Name your wishes, and Skulda will listen to them.” ‘Tt is to aid me in delivering a young and beauti- ful girl from the hands of evil men, who have borne her off from one who loves and respects her.’’ ‘His name ?” “ Paul Jones.” **In that case I cannot promise you help,” said Skulda, starting at the annonucement, “‘as it falls within the province of the Valkyra, in whom you must alone rely. ‘‘ Have you no power?” , “JT was not always what I am,” continued the witch, with a sigh. “ There was a time when Skulda was wise, mighty and commanding, before whom the young stood abashed, and the old uncovered their grey heads. “Hear me,” continued the speaker, “for as the friend of Paul Jones, you will hear me utter com- plaints which have never sounded into mortal ears, and which in mortal ears shall never sound again.” Sumach made no remark, as she continued in sur- prise to listen to the strange recital of the witch. “ But 1 will be again what I ought,” Skulda cried out, extending her lean and withered arm, “ the queen and protectress of these wild and neglected regions. I will be her whose foot the waves wet not, save by her permission, even though its rage be at its highest madness, whose robe the whirlwind respects when it rends the house-rigging from the roof-tree! When such a time comes, and come it must, let Paul Jones regard his promise, nor forget his challenge. Thus it run, if my memory serves me— ‘¢ And now, by this token I cast in the waves, I woo me a bride from the fathomless caves ; And be she but fair, by the heavens above, * | will love her as well as a mortal can love.” Sumach, alarmed at the mysterious lines, would fain have departed, but the witch, with an effort, detained her. “You are going to leave !"’ she exclaimed, “ when I am about to conduct you into the presence of the deities you have sought.”’ oO COMIC a@o <S GoM