Argosy All-Story Weekly — "The Purple Limited" — page 87: what you’re looking at

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

THE WINGS OF THE SNOW. All this the young man learned from his guards, for though well treated, he was still a prisoner. When finally strong enough he was taken before Tho for an interview, at the latter’s command. | “Speak him fair yet boldly,” advised Kas, one of Ku-ro’s guards. ‘“ Cringe not, for TM loves well a brave man, yet be not too forward, lest his temper flame at you, devouring.” Even in this brief time the frank and open manners of Ku-ro had brought his guards to like him, and they wished him well as they marched him between them to where sat Tho, Great Chieftain of the Sur. CHAPTER IV. DEATH’S CAUSEWAY. HO proved to be a big man, not fat, but tall, large-framed, and muscular, - -with a certain slow-moving feline grace suggestive of the lion—he could doubtless move swiftly enough should need arise. His face was scarred from wounds received in battle and the hunt, yet these gashes and weals served but to emphasize the stern ferocity of his aspect, a ferocity rising from the lean cheeks, the arched nose—like an eagle’s beak—and the steady glare of his blue eyes. He looked fixedly at Ku-ro for some mo- ments before he spoke, and Ku-ro returned the gaze, unflinching, though it took all the courage he could summon to bear up under that piercing glance. Presently Tho spoke: “ Ku-ro you are called?”’ “In very truth, great chieftain,” was the reply, given respectfully yet boldly. “ Of the Ta-an?” “In very truth.” “Te our ears word has come “that the homes of the Ta-an lie in a pleasant valley, rich in game, where life is not hard; is this indeed sooth?” “The word speaks with a true tongue, great chieftain.”’ ‘“‘ Thither go we, there to make our home; messengers shall be sent to bring the wo- men and children of the Sur. You shall _ be our guide.” ‘““And how of the Ta-an, great chief- 653 tain?” queried the youth. Tho smiled grimly. - “What the Sur desire, that they take,” he answered, and the stern warriors laughed approvingly. Ku-ro closed his eves. His quick imagi- nation pictured the fair Valley of the Ta-an rent by the turmoil of war, the men slaugh- tered, the women and children prisoners in that slavery which is worse than death, and he shuddered at the awful thought. “Nay, great chieftain,” he cried, “ this may not be! Not for me to guide you on this errand of death! Do with me as you will, yet will I not lead you.” Tho smiled, and motioned with his hand. Four men stepped from the crowd and seized Ku-ro, flinging him roughly on his back. Another strode to the fire which blazed at Tho’s feet, and lifted a brand. “Touch him lightly, sparing eyes and feet,” said Tho. ‘‘ Let us see if this stub- born youth will not yield at the caress of the Red Flower.” | Ku-ro struggled and plunged, but his captors held him close; wildly he looked about, seeing no sign of mercy on the grim, relentless faces that ringed him in—rather, a look of pleased anticipation, as at some Joyous spectacle—on the face of Tho him- self a half sneer. Nearer drew the tor- turer, bending over the victim; full on Ku- ro’s naked shoulder he fsressed the brand, and smoke and steam and the reek of burn- ing flesh rose into the frosty air. Ku-ro clenched his teeth and bore the. agony as best he might—slowly the warrior drew the glowing stick across the skin to a fresh spot—these men knew how to tor- ture! At length a ory broke from the youth, torn from his lips despite his resolu- tion, and he twisted and writhed, scream- ing: “* Mercy, great chieftain, mencye pity! I will guide you!” Tho motioned, and the brand was lifted; melted grease was poured over the burns, and Ku-ro was half led, halt Carried away, Tho saying: “Guard him well lest he escape; it was not in my mind that he could bear the fire’s kiss!” Now, Ku-ro was far from being a cow- CONMUC Have DOOK CO