Argosy, Vol. 117, No. 2 — page 62: what you’re looking at

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

212 it into the brush, Nu-kzen, who had fol- lowed, watching with a smile. “That was a fortunate thought,” said Nu-kzen, and, stepping forward, laid the figure of the Star-Marked One in En-ro’s hand. The Carver of Tusks, trembling with joy and excitement, pressed the little figure to his bosom, then placed it in his girdle and laid his hand on the negro’s head. ‘““Nu-kzen,” said he, solemnly, “ you have served me well; in reward you shall learn to command the Red God. Come!”’ Oh, Master!” exclaimed Nu-kzen, over- whelmed at this great honor, and again, *“Oh, Master—” but he could get no fur- ther; he could not command his voice. Together the two went back once more to the central clearing, and there En-ro, gathering leaves, striking sparks and mak- ing a fire, instructed Nu-kzen, repeating for the little negro all the knowledge he had gained of the Red God and his ways. Then Nu-kzen, repeating after his master all that had been said, repeating it again and again till it was firmly fixed in his mind, took the flint and hammer-stone, and in turn, trem- bling with excitement and fear at the great power he was summoning, struck sparks and blew the glowing leaves into a flame, then fell at En-ro’s feet, clasping them in his arms and abasing his head. But the Carver of Tusks raised him, saying: “Rise, Nu-kzen! This is not seemly for one who commands the Red God! Here- after you will bow to no man save me alone; before all others you will carry your head upright and not even to me will you kneel. But tell no one of this knowledge I have bestowed on you; in the hands of one ignorant or careless or evil the Red God might work much harm, even -to de- stroying the entire forest, with all living things therein.”’ And Nu-kzen swore to keep the secret, and En-ro lay down to sleep, the little negro sitting at his head to keep watch, his wizen body and kinky gray curls seeming almost those of a great gray ape as he squatted with gleaming, watchful eyes to guard the warrior-artist of the Ta-an, the master whom he adored, to whom he had sworn fidelity even unto the last, as long THE ARGOSY. as breath lived in his body and his limbs had power to move. CHAPTER YV. NU-KZEN’S REPORT. ~ OME time during the night En-ro awoke. He looked at the stars, and saw that it was long past the hour when he had told Nu-kzen .to waken him for his watch, and he wondered that he had not roused him- self, for he could, for the most part, awake after any time he wished. Then he re- membered the day before, the weariness with which he had lain down, and under- stood. But why had Nu-kzen not called him? He looked about in sudden fear—Nu- kzen was gone! The Carver of Tusks leaped to his feet and searched with his eyes the clearing, but the moonlight showed no human form, only the strange, ghostly clump of birches opposite the place where he stood, the dark mass of the oaks and maples, and the tall shaft of the great pine that he knew so well, with the thick under- brush forming a barrier beneath the trees. Enro’s first thought was that the little negro had been overpowered and carried away by the Bison’s orders, but there was no sign of struggle, and in any case he him- self, sleeping lightly as any beast of the forest, could not have failed to awaken. No, Nu-kzen must have gone of his own free will—but why? Treachery? En-ro shook his head; the oath of fealty which the Molder of Clay had sworn was not to be broken by any man—one breaking such a vow would be hunted of men, out- lawed, slain on sight, and would go astray on his voyage through the Long Dark; the gods would bewilder him, and he would emerge from the Long Dark to eternal tor- ture—hunted forever by the Faceless Man, the Invisible Thing that makes no sound, and all the fearful spirits that people the Place of Evil. En-ro shook his head again, looked about for tracks, realized that he. could follow no trail by the cold light of the moon, and sat down to wait for the day. At length a faint gray light crept into COMMIGCOOOKS (C@