The Halfpenny Marvel, Vol. 5, No. 109 — page 13: what you’re looking at

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

» 12 : “THE PHANTOM MOUNTAIN.’ ae oe they both listened. The sound grew more distinct. Someons was following. The fugitives auickened their steps. Suddenly an arrow whiazed past them; then another. And soon the air was thick with flying weapons. The two men ducked simultaneousky. “ We're caught in a trap this time, and no mistake!” cried Bruce. | - As he spoke a dark moving mass rose up in the rear, and, uttering a succession of fierce vells, dashed forward. “ Quick! the water!"’ gasped Haverlock. lunging in, the twa men swam for the opposite bank. The fiream, however, had widened considerably, and the darkness was intense; and for some moments neither Gordon nor the doctor imagined they were being followed. But the unknown f6e had seen them, and, giving chase, gained the Englishmen’s sides as they battled with the swift inland current. A chorus of fierce yells greeted their apprebension, and, forced bodily out of the water, the two prisoners were carried far inland by theic savage captors. ‘The savages penetrated a gigantic forest, and halted about daybreak inside e large clearing, where the trees had ‘heen removed; though, to fordon’s surprise, the top had been thickly matted with a roof of branches and climbing plants. Daylight struggled faintly through in places, but for the most part the gloom wag intense. By degrees, however, their eyes became accustomed to the blackness. ‘The doctor pointed out at the further end a high- domed pagoda. It was built entirely of wood, and from the chinks streamed the ruddy glow of torchlight. A line of conical huts extended down the two sider of the enclesure: while across the middie trailed the dark waters of a sluggish Stream. it was crossed by the trunk of » great tree, hollowed in the centre, Gradually the surroundings grew more distinot, and the posoners could make out the tall figures of their captors. ‘heir lambs were enormaus, and the muscles ns hard as steel. Chey carried a quiverful of arrows oa their backs, and were equipped with a bow about six feet in length. It waa mar- vellous how they came and went, geetaing to spring from the very depths of the forest, (rordon and Bruce were flung into one of the conical huts, While a sturdy savage wag left to guard the entrance. _ Gur adventures have reached a climax now,’ commented Bruce. A remark which, later on, hix companion had reason $o remember. CHAPTER IX. An Astounding Discovery — ‘The Struggle in the Dark—Overpowered—-How Bruce Regained his Niecoe—Nomesis the Avenger—Home Again. The hours dragged slowly on as Bruce and Uaverlock, not knowing what might next befall them, waited for events te shape their course, Presently a light dashed from the interior of tha temple. , Vhe savage on guard uttered a terrified yell, and croticlied Against the narrow entrauce of the hut. Other yells followed in sueceasion, as the light slowly revolved in the dense gloom. The savages seemed terrified, and crouched with their faces turned from the glare. _ With a cry of amazement, Haverlock pointed to ihe man crouching before them, Ho was destitute of clothing, save for a small loin-eloth, but from his body downwards hung a tail. The doctay clutched his ecompanion’s arm. “We're in the hands of the Moi!’* he cried, ayhast; “the most sivage tribe in all the Maat tl’ “What! exclaimed Cordon. Annam {” : “The same. They can distinguish clearly by the dark, but light of any kind is fatal to their sense of vision.” replied Bruce; adding quickly: “Our chiuce of escape 18 greatly increased. Tigh! what an aavful hole!’ Me shuddered as, catching sight of the black, sluggish stream which intersected the forest clearing, the hideous eager and wide-open mouth of a huge alligatog rose from the sur- face. : The light lingered over the waters some moments, and, as though attracted by the glare, countless sealy heads rose to the murky surface, . the two men could see that the banks had bern made perpendicular by meaus of faggots driven in, and these, “The blind savages of —— er ee * These mysterious people have long been known to a few travellers. Recently a French explerer carefully described them, They can see only by night. Their other peculiarity ig shown in the length of the vertebral column, which takes : «form of a tail, and measures from three to twelve inches.—— BUD. DECEMBER 12th, ‘chief ath, “CHIPS” DOUBLE CHRISTMAS NUMBER, ONLY 4d. PICTURES AND STORIES, HEAPS OF FUN, SCREAMS OF LAUGHTER, extending two feeb up, prevented the loathsome reptiles frog clambering over the solid ground. 4 It happened, as the lighb flashed across the water, a gigantic savage was crossing the stream. We howled with fear, and, blinded by the glare, swayed forward, and over the ruda bridge. A loud splash followed, and immediately a succession of agonised yells told only too plainly that the loathsome * reptiles had performed their deadly work. __. < Haverlock shuddered; then recoiled, and changed colour, as, looking towarde the door of the pagoda, he caught sight of a body of richly-clad Chinese monks. He knew their order instantly. They were the priests of the Mi Mi Tower. “What can they do here?" he cried, having explained their identity to Bruce, Jt waa a query which for the time neither could answer, though the events which followed scon enlightened them. The foremost priest addressed the savages crouching neareay in a harsh, guttural tongue. ‘he latter, prostrating them. selves in abject terror, seemed to implore merey, though nono was shown; for next moment a party of Buddhist monks appeared at the entrance, carrying torches, and dragged ono of the cringing savages forward. They advanced to the veitrs of the clearing, gained the bridge, and, hoistmg their victiy into the air, swung him to and fro for some minutes; then, at tha command of the first priest, launched the shricking wretch inte the waters. The cries of terror and agony worn aoon stilled. ‘hen, turning on their heels, the monks alos ty retraced thei steps. ‘There was something horribly cruel sbout the deliberate way in which they wreaked their vengeance. irorcon atarted. “This ig the Temple of Punishment,” ha whispered. “4 4 ill-fame ig well known in Thibet. We have evidently iin brought here to be delivered into the clutches of these dastas‘!y priest !”’ ae Ivor was he mistaken. One of the Moi, keeping his ¢y 3 shaded from the glare of the light, addressed the prieats. Jury latter replied shortly, and, quiokly retreating, regainey {ba pagoda and closed the entrance, WDarkuess again reigned. tur some minutes neither Gordon nor his companion distingu: ved the advancing formy of a score of savages. hey heard che faint rustle of their movements, and maintained the alers. ‘Slowly but surely the savages encorapassed them, and, a4 they clustered about the entrance, Haverlock detected tf. moving figures. “They're about to raid us!’’ he whispered hoarsely. by the other side, and wait till the firss man enters. Uh. your whole weight at him. Jl deal with the second !”’ Bruce followed hia friend’s directions. Several mieviiirs wlapaed before the Moi attempted to enter. Then the savas who bad kep$’ guard advanced through the narrow ope ony We looked cautiously round, and, perceiving Haverlock, -s4 about to grab him; but Bruce, who could faintly dieticses h the dark figure, sprang forward, and, ay the Moi uted 3 feree yo, he flung: him to the ground. Confuaed by the shock, the savage staggered to his feet, ert. grappling desperately with the first figure he encounter], i fought ferociously with one of his awn tribe. The latte: oo athempting to extricate himegelf, fell againss Hlaverlock, «... wrenching himsell free, turned on the Englishman. Gordon made a desperate stand, and, aided by Bruce... 3 bis two opponents at tan for some minutes. But their well strength was unequal to the task. (Besides, the savage. 7h to pereeive their foes, possessed an advantage whiel antagonists lacked. The Englishmen were. quickly « fowered, and, binding thera securely, the savages cont } their wetimns to the pagoda. Instantly the dour was opened, and. while the Moi fel io unable to sand the light, Haverlock and Bruce were ds. » inside by a dozen fierce hands. | An amazing sight met their gaze. The temple wag br ‘bact ¥ lighted, and round the sides rose ther upon tier of gar painted images. A group of Buddhist monks grouped rev 3 an lmmengse image of Guatama, rising from the centre. Po them, and standing oa a raised plaiform, were several’ ‘foi women; While upon another tier stood Iquarn, the Form 04 f. Beneath. some of the Chinese pirates mingled °°! their monastic brethren. Brauee was dumfounded. He could hardly credit. the wo: of his senses, and turned to Gorden bewilderad. Hayveu' '. was equally taken aback. His eyes were riveted ay fs 6). object repasing ou the tap of the image. “The snake wort" he cried hoarsely, The coctor’s face assumed the pallor of death. “'Theret there stands the man who possesseg the so stone!” shrieked Iquorn, as he caught sight of Bruce | have never possessed it! Mercy! merey! Deal with the satut. as you may! Spare an honest man!” | ie shrieked piteously as a couple of monks approache. (:1!". carrying the writhing bady of a gigantic sheesh-nag. SPLENDID cComicbooks.con