Argosy, Vol. 1 (1882) — page 286: what you’re looking at

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

THE CAPTIVES OF THE TEMPLE. “Fools! Fools! Did ye not know the folly? Did ye not know the mad- ness of the Moon Flower? ” “We knew nothing save that there was a large and beautiful flower in this region,’ I answered. “ We did not even know of the existence of Ameza.” The little sharp eyes opened some- what wider at this. All the world knows of Ameza, and shuns it as a curse.” “We have fled from the priests, Al- tama,” said Isisora. ‘These three, with four old men and a negro, were the party. The negro is a slave in the house of Jadispiato, and will not be in- jured. The four gentlemen of science were too slow and fell into the hands of the priests. Forresto is incensed be- cause I will not become his wife. He rushed upon me to injure me, and this brave American knocked him down. We fled, as I knew there was no hope of mercy. Our only hope is in the aid you promised me. know more of the secrets of Ameza than any other, save Jadispiato and, perhaps, Forresto.” “Aye! I know more even than Jad- ispiato,” mumbled the old crone. “Years before Jadispiato was born I lived in peace and plenty under the very shadow of the temple. All in Ameza were not then mad. The fam- ine didit. Yes, there was once a famine in Ameza, and food was scarce. Of animal food there was none, for there are no hunters in Ameza save the blacks, and they have only spears. The people ate the roots of the Moon Flower, and now all Ameza is mad.” “ But how to escape them! That is what we came for,” said Isisora. “Yes, to escape. But it is not so easy.” From this the old woman began grumbling and muttering to herself, and Isisora could get nothing more out of her. ‘Tell me this,” insisted the priestess, “is there any other way for them to enter here? ” You are old, and. 277 “No. The door from the temple is all.” | No more would she say, but went about the place rubbing her hands to- gether and uttering wild incantations to some unseen gods. “There is no help for it; we must wait,” said Isisora. ‘“ Here are benches, so rest.” Lottie sank into a seat and buried her face in her hands. “Be calm and brave,” said Isisora. “This old woman has these spells of abstraction, but she will help us.” ‘While we are here,” interposed Desklit, “tell us something about these strange people. Where do they come from? What and who are they? ” “To tell that requires more knowl- edge than I possess,” answered Isisora. “Tam not of them myself. Some years ago, when I was a child, and my father a ship owner and trader, he came to the Tapajos to get certain choice woods to carry to North America. I had pleaded with him to be allowed to take a voyage with him, and so my mother and I accompanied him. ‘ His vessel was not large, and had but a small crew. We were attacked by natives in the jungle and carried far into the interior. We remained prison- ers of the savages for a time, but a war was then going on between our captors and another tribe. Our savages were defeated and we were left in the forest. We fell into the hands of these Ame- zans, who carried us into this country, where my mother soon after died. My father was slain in an attempt to effect an escape. ‘“T was then taken into the house of Jadispiato, where his wife taught me and brought me up. The wife of Jad- ispiato was a wonderful woman, but she is now dead. } “These people did not always kill their captives. Even now, though they steadily increase in madness, they sometimes speak of strangers as wel- come additions. “ The origin of the Aaresvatora aint CO