Argosy, Vol. 117, No. 2 — page 45: what you’re looking at

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

THE SON come closer. The priests and the victim went on till they reached the altar, and En-ro could see them busied about it, the priests chanting the while. He could not hear the words of the chant—only at times, as the rolling of thunder was lighter, could he hear their voices rising and falling in the measured cadences of the prayer. He crouched, tense, while Va-m’rai’s hands were unbound and she was stretched on the altar. It was the law that none might go before the Great Father with hands or feet bound, but, that the victim might not escape, five great stones, the under sides flattened and hollows cut in them, were used to hold the struggler down, one being placed across the throat, one over each wrist, and one over each knee. Va-m’rai was held by the priests, and the stones were placed, and now for the first time she struggled and fought, but to no end; the priests were too strong. And now in terror she shrieked and shrieked again: ‘“En-ro! Help Help! En-ro, save me!” and then again, despairingly: “En-ro!” And ever the lightning flared and the thunder rolled. At these terrified screams En-ro trem- bled, gripping tight the haft of his throw- ing-stick—but he dared not move. And still Va-m’rai shrieked, turning away her face as the High Priest came forward, hold- ing aloft the sharp flint knife that was to tear her heart from her bosom. And now the priests retired, almost to the waiting crowd of tribesmen, for none might be near the High Priest at the su- preme instant of sacrifice. Brighter and brighter flamed the lightning, nearer and nearer rolled the fhunder, and now came the swish and rush and roar of the rain, as the clouds opened and poured their torrents over the mountain. En-ro fitted a dart to the cup of his threwing-stick and rose to his feet as the priests, turning, knelt and lifted their hands to the sky. The High Priest drew near the victim, his knife raised, and En-ro saw that Va-m’rai, rolling her head from side to side, still struggled and fought against the weights that held her fast. En-ro raised his throwing-stick and held OF THE RED GOD. 195 it poised, and even as he started its for- ward sweep the whole heavens were rent apart, there came a terrific, blinding glare, a frightful shock, a stunning crash-of thun- der that shook the mountain beneath his feet, and the High Priest toppled forward, falling across the shrieking victim! Instantly En-ro leaped forward, as the priests and tribesmen fell on their faces, ran to the altar, and with superhuman strength tore the stones from Va-m’rai’s throat and arms and legs, lifted the girl in his arms, and ran once more to his hiding-place. She clung to him, gasping and sobbing brokenly, and as he laid her down he felt that she trembled from head to foot, and held tight to his arm. He freed himself, caught up his pack, seized the girl’s hand, and called: ‘“Come, Va-m’rai, Swift Runner! must make haste! Come quickly!” Va-m’rai rose to her feet, he helped her from the hiding-place, and, still holding hands, the two started back. along the ridge of the mountain, in the direction from which En-ro had come. The rain was falling less heavily now, and the thunder was passing away, rolling far- ther and farther off with each succeeding minute. From time to-time En-ro stopped to listen anxiously, and at last, after such a pause, he grasped Va-m’rai’s hand tighter and said: ‘“Hasten! Hasten! They have found him!” And he ran on faster than ever, half dragging, half carrying the girl. ‘““ Found—whom?” she panted. ‘“ And why—do—the Ta-an—cry—the hunting call?”’ ‘““Men-ko!” he answered. “ Hurry!” And they continued their flight, leaping and scrambling from rock to rock, splashing through pools left by the rain, bruising themselves in the darkness, slipping. falling, rising, ever hurrying, hurrying along the crest of the mountain, the thunder rolling farther and farther off, and the cries of the tribesmen growing fainter and fainter as they were left behind. At last En-ro turned down the slope, and after another mile or so the fugitives plunged into the forest, and the going was easier. True, they were hampered by the We COPMICLOOOKS (C@