Argosy, Vol. 117, No. 2 — page 59: what you’re looking at

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

THE to the Carver of Tusks, who confronted him fearlessly. The Bison drew back, poised his spear, the point an arm’s length from En-ro’s breast—and stood rigid, for En-ro did not move; arms at his sides, the ax swinging lightly in his right hand, he stood glaring into Meng’s eyes, and his own were narrowed to little slits, in the depths of which -glinted sparks of light. His head thrown forward, his jaw outthrust, his mouth drawn to a straight, hard line, his muscles relaxed but ready, every line of the white warrior’s body cried aloud ‘“ Dan- ger!” So for the space of thirty breaths. this duel of eyes lasted, the two men staring, unflinching, each at the other, silent, while the band of negroes looked from one to the other, from the white man, tall and straight and handsome as a god to the black chief- tain, scarred and ugly and evil, his lance- point at the other’s breast. Not a word was spoken, not a sound was heard save the rasping of branches and the rustling of leaves, and once, far off, the harsh scream of a hyena, till one of the younger men, unable to bear the strain, moved his feet, and Meng’s eyes wavered, shifted, dropped, and with a deep growl he drew back a pace and lowered his spear. The tension broken, the negroes spread over the place, soon finding the dead lion and chattering excitedly over the discovery; Meng came and looked, and asked Nu-kzen what had happened, and the little artist, wizen and gray, tiny beside the huge bulk of the Bison, told of the fight, with many gestures, pointing often toward En-ro, who stood apart, looking contemptuously at the chattering, swarming negroes—“ not so dif- ferent from the apes!” he told himself. Presently Meng came toward En-ro, to question him, and the white warrior noted that, for all his efforts, the Bison could not keep a note of respect from his voice. “Yow slew Snorr-m’rai-no with a new weapon?” asked Meng, and En-ro looked the negro chieftain over contemptuously, replying: By the aid of the Red God, who is my slave, I slew him.’’ “And the Red God obeys your com- mands?” 4 Arcosy SON OF THE RED GOD. 209 “In truth.” “ Show!” ; En-ro gazed thoughtfully at the Bison for a few moments, then stooped and with his » ax cleared a space on the ground, gathered some dry leaves, and crouched over them, the negroes pressing close. He rose to his feet and motioned them back, for he wag not minded to let them see too much. “Stand farther off!” he cried. ‘“ Back]] Back! The Red God bites hard!” . They fell back twenty paces or more, and he turned his back to them, crouched over the leaves again, and struck sparks, blowing the leaves to a flame, then took a dry branch and laid it in the flames till it was burning well, and swung around toward the watchers, whirling the brand in the air, sparks flying from it in all directions—and the negroes, all but Meng—and even he was impressed—fell to their knees with cries of fear and reverence. The Bison stood upright, but shrank back as —in-ro approached, and asked, his voice quavering despite his struggle to control it: ‘“ Does the Red God indeed bite hard?” En-ro did not answer, but glanced with a smile toward the carcass of the lion, and Meng’s eyes followed his. “Will He bite a man?” ‘“ Try!” said En-ro, thrusting the branch toward the Bison, but Meng was of no mind to be bitten; instead, he looked toward the crowd, singled out a young man, and, point- ing to him, cried: “Bind him and lay him here!” In- stantly a dozen others seized*the victim, tied him hand and foot, and carried him to where the two stood, laying him on the ground and hurrying fearfully back to the crowd once more. “Prove the Red God’s teeth on hiss! said Meng, and the Carver of Tusks laid the blazing stick on the victim’s chest. The tortured man writhed and groaned and the stench of burning flesh rose in the air, till Meng said: ‘* Enough!” and En-ro lifted the brand, while the Bison stooped and examined the frightful burn, then straightened up, say- ing: ‘You shall be tortured till you teach me to command the Red God!” and turning to COMICLOOOKS (C@