Argosy, Vol. 117, No. 2 — page 72: what you’re looking at

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

222 ‘one moved or spoke; the only sounds to be heard were the songs of the birds, the la- bored breathing of the victor, and the chok- ing coughs of Nu-kzen, as he lay where he had dropped from the Bison’s blow. Then the chief priest, Ja-men-ka, elected after En-ro’s dart had slain Men-ko, stepped for- ward and raised his hand. “Take him!” he cried, but before any could move another voice spoke, behind the ring of priests and blacks, exclaiming: “Stop!” and through the crowd came the form of Snorr, Great Chieftain of the Ta-an, thrusting aside those who stood be- fore him, even as a swimmer throws aside ° the water, and the crowd parted to let him pass, as the water parts before the swim- mer’s breast. Ranging himself beside En- ro, he faced the-priests and warriors, crying: ‘“Look about you!” Negroes and white men, priests and -war- riors, they turned as one man, to see filing from the debouching path the fifty plumed warriors of the Ta-an, their oiled bodies glistening, the polished flint of their lances sparkling in the morning light that flooded the clearing. Silent but for the martial stamp of their feet on the ground and the click and clink of their anklets of shells and claws, these encircled the group, and at a word from Snorr each man brought his lance to level, the points directed inward to form a wall, breast-high, of sharpened flint. Then, and only then, did Snorr turn to En-ro. ‘Carver of Tusks,” he said, ‘ your mes- senger, who now lies there, brought word to us that you can command a strange new god, till now unknown to men; that this god serves you, that he will warm you in the Long Cold, and that he will fight for you; and your messenger told us also that it is your will that the Ta-an shall know of this god, and that he shall warm and aid the People of the Mountain Caves. Did~he speak truth?” En-ro, still breathing heavily, bowed. “Warriors of the Ta-an!” cried Snorr, turning again to the crowd, “an ancient prophecy, known to but few among us, pro- claims that there shall one day rise among us a warrior who shall command the gods; the prophecy bids us serve him, obey him, ‘THE ARGOSY. -and worship him, making him Great Chief- tain of the Ta-an. I, who am your chief- tain, obey the words of the Great Father. See now!” And he turned once more to En-ro, laying at his feet the carved wand of the tooth of Do-m’rai, the Hill That Walks, the baton of ceremony, the badge of chief- tainship. “Great Chieftain of the Ta-an,” said Snorr, ‘“‘ I bow to you and entreat your fa- vor.”’ And kneeling, he lifted En-ro’s foot and placed it upon his own head. “ Give your commands; shall we, your servants, slay these men or let them live?” Kn-ro stooped and took the baton, looked about him proudly, albeit a bit dazedly, and answered: ‘Slay not; let them depart and come no more among the People of the Mountain Caves.” Instantly the ring of warriors parted on the other side, the lances pressed in toward the opening, and negroes’ and priests to- gether were driven toward the path. Re- turning, the warriors knelt before En-ro, who gazed upon them, seeking words. Va- m’rai rose from where she crouched and drew to his side, laying her hand timidly upon his arm; his arm went about her waist and he drew her close; with his free hand he raised Snorr from where he knelt, and spoke aloud: _ “Warriors of the Ta-an!” he cried, “I accept the high office; in war and in peace T will lead you, and we shall make the name of the Ta-an known and feared far and wide, far as the words of men are carried, even to the Land of the Dying Sun, the home of the Little Hairy Men! Your honor is mine; my honor is yours, and while breath lives in my body never shall I-cease to labor and to fight for my people.” Snorr raised his arm: “Men of the Ta-an, greet now your chief!”” and a cry rang through the forest as the warriors tossed their lances high into the air: ‘Long life to En-ro, Great Chieftain of the Ta-an!” But Snorr raised his hand once more. ‘No longer En-ro, Carver of Tusks,” he _ spoke, “‘ but henceforth and forever Na- t’san, the Son of the Red God.” And once Go TOO AMUG S , (C@)