Argosy, Vol. 117, No. 2 — page 58: what you’re looking at

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

208 had first struck down lay groaning among the-bushes a little distance off, and En-ro, stepping over to him, slew him with a blow of the ax that had killed the lion. As he turned away, he saw another negro coming toward him,.carrying an ax, and the Carver of Tusks sprang toward him, his weapon raised. But the negro, a little, wizen, gray-haired man, fell on his knees and held the haft of the ax toward En-ro in token of surrender, and En-ro stayed the blow. “Oh, Carver of Tusks, mighty warrior, great artist, master of the Strange God, spare me!” said the negro. ‘“‘ Nu-kzen am I, Molder of Clay, and because I have long worshiped your great skill in carving the tooth of the Hill that Walks, I bought this your ax from the warrior that took it from you after the great fight in the tree. And because you are a mighty warrior and have slain the Fear That Walks the Night, and because you are master of the Strange God and can bring Him to life or slay Him at will, therefore I now bring this ax to you, praying that you will accept it and show your favor to me who am your slave.” En-ro took the ax, his own ax, and bal- anced it thoughtfully in his hand, joyful to feel it again, for it had been fitted to his grasp through many days of labor, fitted in grip, in length, in weight,and in balance, and he had decorated it with loving care, carving figures along the haft, and a knob for the end. His heart leaped within him, and; looking down at the negro, who still knelt before him, head bowed, he said: ‘““ Nu-kzen, I accept your gift. You shall go with me, but not as my slave. Because you, too, are an artist you shall go as my - friend, friend to En-ro the Carver of Tusks, warrior of the tribe of Ta-an, and master of the Red God! And I will teach you to carve the tooth of Do-m’rai, the Hill that Walks, and to command the Red God. But first you must help me get Va-m’rai, the Swift Runner and to escapg from the hands of Meng.” _ Nu-kzen looked up at him with worship in his dark eyes, the look of adoration one sees in a faithful dog, and answered: “ Indeed, my master, I will help you es- cape, but why wait for the Swift Runner? THE ARGOSY. Why not let the Bison have her? There are many women, and such a one as you need not lack!” : En-ro scowled blackly, and Nu-kzen, shivering, crouched lower as the Carver of Tusks replied: “ Nu-kzen,” he said, “speak not thus! Such as you cannot understand, but for a warrior of the Ta-an there is but one wo- man while-that one lives, and he is bound to fight for her, even to death. Rise now, and help me set her free!” ' Obediently Nu-kzen rose, and the two set out to find Va-m’rai and free her, that they might make their escape, but before they had gone twenty paces from the spot where they stood there came the sound of the hunters returning. Far off, the two artists heard many voices chanting the hunting song, then they could make out the rustling and crackling of the underbrush as the laden troup marched along, and soon the leaders came into view, Meng first, six of his chosen warriors following on _ his heels—then a dozen or more young men who had not yet risen to the dignity of warriors, but for a year or two longer served as bearers—then the remainder of the fighting men of the Bison’s tribe. On long poles across their shoulders the bearers carried the game, several sheep, two of the wild cattle of the lowlands, and a deer, the feet of the beasts being tied to- gether and a pole thrust between them, that a man might lift each end. Staggering and sweating under their loads, the porters cane forward, but halted in confusion, dropping their loads to the ground as, Meng, catching sight of En-ro unbound, stopped in anger. He glanced around, saw the dead guards on the ground and\Nu-kzen standing at the white warrior’s side and thought that he, the negro artist, had traitorously Set En-ro free. He scowled fiercely, and with a bellow like that of the beast from which he took his name, raised his lance, rushing at Nu- kzen, who fell on his knees, hands lifted, and cried aloud for mercy. En-ro stepped quickly between the two and turned the lance aside with a swift movement of his ax, and Meng’s rage shifted CORNICGLOOOLKS (C@)