The Argosy, Vol. XXV, No. 1 — page 47: what you’re looking at

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

A PERUVIAN PARADISE. _ 47 got a package of grub stored up yonder—some dried meat and cake. We'll need torches, won’t we?’’ “Yes; and our blankets. I'll get the torches,’’ returned Keeth, and forthwith ensued a long discussion of ways and means. Each suggestion was examined in detail, and when Keeth departed every possible contingency had been thought of and planned for. He remained in his own chamber till noon, and then, thinking the time opportune, seized an armful of torches from a pile in one of the corridors near by, wrapped them in a rug and carried them to one of the side entrances of the temple. Ford was on the lookout for him and came across the court and carried the innocent looking bundle to his quarters. On his way back to his apartment Keeth passed the young prince, Gonnatzl, near the door of the high priest’s chamber. Gonnatzl had evidently been in to see the old man : but what effect the dying Inzalkl’s pleading had had upon the hot headed fellow Keeth could not guess, for the prince passed him with averted face. He heard nothing from the dying priest during the afternoon. He tried to sleep, knowing that if all went well he would be upon his feet all the coming night ; but his mind was so troubled by thoughts of Imozene, and of the danger menacing his friends and himself, that it was impossible. ‘The impassioned words of the old priest—the last he would probably ever hear from his lips—still rang in his ears: ‘“Ah, my people! my people! They are doomed. ‘Thy people, oh, son, shall sweep aside the children of the Incas as chaff before the thresher’s fan. But Imozene—my little Imozene! Care for her, son, I charge thee— eare for her !”’ Keeth repeated the words over and over. What had the old man meant ? By his wonderful occult power had Inzalk1 looked into the future and really seen some great danger menacing his granddaughter? Of Keeth he declared he should escape death. Dzd he know ? It was impossible for the American to sleep while these and like thoughts were rioting through his brain. He paced the confines of his narrow room like a caged beast. The afternoon waned and the night began to fall. ‘The narrow streak of sunlight which crept across the floor from dawn to dark disappeared, and through the window he saw the stars come out in the still glowing sky. From the bustle and confusion outside he judged that a great many people had gathered about the temple. ‘The news that’ the old Inzalkl was [near death had gone out among his nation, and from all parts of the valley they had gathered. Suddenly the great brazen gongs at the door of the temple began to beat slowly. Their rhythmic throbbing filled the remotest corridor with clangor- ous sound. A hush fell-upon the throng without. Keeth listened at his door, his heart beating tumultuously. What was the meaning of the jarring notes? Had the end come? Had the old man already passed away? But as he listened another sound reached his ear. It was a faint sobbing just without the portal. He unbarred the door and swung it back, and there, in the gloom of the corridor, lying on the threshold, he beheld a pitiful little heap, shaken by a tempest of sobs. C@OnniclaoolK< (@)