The Argosy, Vol. XXIV, No. 1 — page 97: what you’re looking at

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

A MONTH IN THE MOON. 97 completely at rest on this point. There was one thing, however, that he (Virgil) could not help, partly because he did not see its danger, and partly because he was himself slightly under its influence ; this was the effect upon the minds of those who were the daily witnesses of the silent and meditative attitude and behavior of Kaddour. ‘They all began to consider him a per- sonage of note on account of the austerity of his demeanor. One morning he cut a hazel stick from the hedge, and made of it a wand about ten inches in length, employing all his leisure moments afterwards in carving figures upon it with a splinter of glass that he had picked up under a window. ‘There was nothing to be said about this, for, from time immemorial, carving wood has been the favorite diversion of prisoners. One day, when Virgil having satisfied himself that everything was going on well in the circular passage, had departed to visit the works in progress, Chaka and some of his men were sitting in the sun outside their barracks, chatting about their own country. ‘“ Alas !’? said one, ‘‘ when shall we see Bahr-el Ghazal again, where the crocodiles were as gentle as doves, and the herbs like small trees ?”’ ‘Where the corn bears fruit eight days after it is sown !’’ added an- other. ‘The Supreme Master,’”’ said a voice behind the soldiers, ‘ can make the corn grow and ripen in less than an hour !”’ “Who speaks thus in the language of our fathers !’’ cried Chaka, turning round in surprise. He caught sight of Kaddour, standing motionless and upright at the rope barrier of his yard. ‘Thou hast uttered a great word, my brother,’’ resumed the young chief ; ‘“but who is this powerful Supreme Master? ’”’ ‘‘ He who was, who is, and who will be!’’ replied the dwarf, solemnly. ‘And you have seen him do what you say?”’ “Not only have I seen him do it, but he has conferred the same super- natural power on myself.’’ “Thou knowest how to make the corn grow in less than an hour?”’ ‘‘In a few minutes, if you like.’’ All the soldiers leaped to their feet ina fever of ardent curiosity. ‘“‘Father,’’ said Chaka, ‘‘here are seeds of corn; make them take root.”? “In order to do that I must be surrounded by twenty of those who have been wll treated.’ “Who are they ?”’ ‘Seek them, son, seek them. ‘They have not white faces.’’ “Ah!” cried Chaka, ‘‘black men! Call our brethren!’’ he added, to his companions, pointing to the free lances inside the barracks. In a few minutes twenty men stood around the cord barrier. ‘The dwarf then walking backwards to the middle of his yard, and making signs that strict silence was to be maintained, took out the wooden wand he had so patiently carved, and waved it over his head while he uttered some cabalistic words. Then he drew a great circle on the ground, and squatting down in the (G) comichook 3