The Argosy, Vol. XXV, No. 1 — page 30: what you’re looking at

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

30 A PERUVIAN PARADISE, The priest suddenly seized both his hands and gazed deep into his eyes. ‘“Took upon me, my son !’’ he commanded, drawing Keeth’s gaze, despite his will, to his own flaming — ‘‘Thow shalt see what the result of thy search for gold wouldst be.’ The young man fought against the influence which he felt was stow? overpowering him. His brain reeled; the columns upholding the dimly lit room seemed circling about him; he strove to withdraw his hands from the priest’s grasp. -But the will which enthralled him conquered all opposition. Slowly he sank back upon the rough bench beside the table. He fought no longer. He was passive in the priest’s hands. ‘The voice of the wonderful old man seemed to reach his dulled ear froma great dis- tance. ‘“Look !’’ commanded the priest. ‘‘ Behold the end of thy plans, oh worshipper of the God of Gold !’’ Keeth’s eyes slowly closed ; and yet he saw. ‘The wall of the cavernous room seemed like a cloud. It was a cloud in motion, rolling, writhing, changing form continually. Suddenly it opened, and through the mysterious gloom a picture took shape and grew under his gaze. It was a precipice, and hanging from its verge by a slender thread of hemp was a man upholding the slight figure of a woman. ‘The man’s face was his own; the girl was the Indian maiden whose life he: had saved that very day. Quickly this picture passed. He saw his companions and himself in the strange city of the descendants of the Incas. ‘These first visions were indistinct ; but as he looked those which fol- lowed were plainer. He saw himself, and Ford, and Fitch, in what looked like a great arched cave. The walls glittered with gems. Heaps of golden bars, such as Jose Rodriguez had brought away from the Incas’ treasure cave, flashed back the light of their torches. But always with them was the face of the girl, Imo- zene. No picture, as they passed in kaleidoscopic rapidity before his eyes, was complete without her. Then the cloud writhed and twisted like a mortal in agony, and from out of it appeared visions of great rocks, seamed with glittering gold. He saw men mining the precious metal: first himself and his comrades ; then others joined them. Houses and towns sprang up on the rugged plateaus of the mountains. ‘The miners increased. And then he saw the peaceful valley of the Indians again—but oh, how changed! ‘The light on this picture was dim, but he beheld the prostrate forms of dead men, and pools of blood, and fearful strife. The miners were battling with the ancient occupants of the valley. He saw himself fighting in the ranks of the victorious white men. He gave and received blows. ‘The din of battle was in his ears. Then the awful carnage ceased. The valley was dotted with the bodies of the dead. There: were no more of the children of the Incas to battle for their homes and altars. Yet the man whom he recognized as himself fought on. He was opposed by but one enemy—a figure’so slight, so ethereal, that it evaded his fierce Eomichbooks (S@)