The Argosy, Vol. XXV, No. 1 — page 59: what you’re looking at

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

A PERUVIAN PARADISE, | 59 ‘“Do you fear to trust yourself to me, Imozene ?’’ he asked. She halted in the rough path and cast her arms about his neck. ‘‘ Not now, my lord, for I know thou lovest me.’’ | ‘ Not even if I tell thee thou wilt never see thy people again? ’’ She shuddered. ‘‘ They are no longer my people. If I follow thee to the abode of the gods, it were better ! ’’ ‘Then thou shalt go to my people, Imozene,’’ he said, and they went on again, hand in hand. Ford was waiting for them at the entrance of the side passage, anxious because of their long absence. When he saw Imozene several different emo- tions struggled for the mastery in his face at once ; but something in Keeth’s eye warned him to restrain his natural impulse to chaff. They all four en- tered the inner chamber and awoke Fitch. Before anything else was done or said Keeth briefly related what had occurred in the town, and the circum- stances which led to Imozene’s presence with them. ‘‘ Hand you did just right, Mr. Keeth!’’ declared Fitch. “ Them bloody devils! Hi’m only sorry Hi didn’t get a shot at’em myself. D’ye think there’s henny likelihood of their attacking us here ?”’ ‘‘T don’t know,’’ returned Keeth. ‘We will not give them the chance,”’ said Jose. ‘‘ We will stop up the entrance to thees place and then go on t’rough the caverns to the river. Come, senors ! at once.”’ He naturally took the lead, and with Ford’s and Keeth’s assistance set about closing the entrance of their retreat. From some dark part of the chamber he produced a rudely wrought iron bar and with its aid pried sev- eral bulky boulders into the passage. ‘These they ‘‘ chocked’’ with smaller stones, finally completing a barrier that would cause their enemies much trouble in breaking down, even providing they discovered the fugitives’ re- treat. Then, with the bar in one hand and a blazing torch in the other, Jose led his little party deeper into the bowels of the mountain. ‘“Thees rock #s soft, senor,’’ he said to Keeth. ‘‘Soine time—long past —the water carve out these passages. They lead down—down—down till they reach the level of the river. ‘The ancestors of these Indians perhaps used thees way ver’ mooch—guzen sabe ?”’ Imozene looked about her in wonder as they passed down the echoing aisles ; yet she recognized the place from the traditions of her people. ‘“My lord,’’ she said, ‘‘are not these the lost treasure caves of my people? "’ 7 “So we believe,’’ replied Keeth. ‘Our friend, yonder—he who bears the mark upon his face—discovered this way of escape when he ran from thy people months ago. It will now prove our salvation.”’ As they went on they had often to halt and exainine with interest the carven walls and hideously sculptured columns which upheld the roof of the caverns. In some apartments were rude forges and iron and bronze imple- ments which showed the early occupants of the caverns to have possessed no inconsiderable knowledge of metal working, Fitch was in a continual state of amazement. Comichook (S@)