Between Snow and Fire — page 201: what you’re looking at

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

& : ; Zz . , 2 * « *f- } + ; » + ; - 4 © x 5 agonies. The ants were swarming all over his body, crawling into his nostrils and ears, biting everywhere, eating the rims of his eyelids, his lips, his throat, and he was powerless to move a hand or foot. The spectators crowded around, mocking and jecring at him. A few minutes ago he was a man of consideration—now all pushed and fought for the front places to witness his sufferings, all heaped execrations upon him as they gloated over the horrible punishment of one who had been denounced as a wizard. “Whose magic is the greatest, Vudana—thine or mine?” jeered Ngcenika, bending over her victim until her face was close to his. But the proximity of that repulsive counten- ance infuriated even the helpless victim. Witha roar of rage he spat full into it, vociferating: ‘ Thou spawn of a Fingo dog! Thine houriscome, I have put my mark upon thee. Before many moons are dead thou too shalt die, and thy death shali be ever as mine, I, Vudana, say it. Hear ye my words all!” J “He has confessed,” shouted the crowd. “He is a wizard. He has confessed. Let him die the death! ” _ With a yell of fury Ngcenika started back, and glared vengefully around as if inquest of some means whereby to add to the sufferer’s agony. Then she remembered that it would hardly bear adding to under the circumstances, and contented herself with a satanic laugh. Nor would it. In ashort time the miserable man’s body was black with the repulsive insects. They swarmed into his ears and nostrils. His struggles became fearful, as he writhed in the excruciating torment of their poisonous bites. He foamed atthe mouth. His eyeballs rolled and strained in their_sockets, and he shook his head and roared like a beast. It would be impossible to exaggerate the agonies he was undergoing. His frantic struggles availed not to shake off a single one of the myriad insects swarm- ing upon him. Already his eyes were half eaten away. It was a fiendish and appalling spectacle. The man was now raving mad. He gnashed his teeth and howled. His contortions were fearful to witness. Yet no spark of pity or compunction did the sight awaken in the ferocious hearts of the spectators, many of whom were, up to the moment of the fatal denunciation, his kindred and his friends. But since his treatment of the witch-doctress all were chary of venturing too close. Many of the superstitious barbarians Gomilcbooks.c ; aa. . i? ey oi .. >. ae a ad Sud eee , . * > hb - f a 4a in ‘ Ts a — | if fT ew & - ‘ 7 &. Yo ae 2 aw - ~*