Argosy, Vol. 1 (1882) — page 288: what you’re looking at

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

THE CAPTIVES OF THE TEMPLE. from the hemlock. The fact that a con- stant diet of the tubers of this flower destroys reason is not strange. It is the romantic and almost incredible set- ting in which we find the truth, that makes it seem so strange.” “To me it sounds like a chapter from the ‘Arabian Nights,’ ” I observed. “ And to me like a horrid dream,” added Lottie. “ But it would not be so bad if my uncle was only safe.” “T fancy your uncle, and, indeed, all the gentlemen we left, will not be harmed—at least not at once. Jadispi- ato is a peculiar man and like all mad- men he has a faculty for distorted rea- soning. For instance, had the priests caught us, the entire party would have been put to death in the temple, and perhaps our blood sprinkled on the petals of the Moon Flower. But as the chief offenders escaped, it may be the whim of Jadispiato to hold the others captive until he has retaken us and make the executions at the same time.” “ By the way,” said Desklit, who was more interested in the flower than | was, “ where does the Moon Flower get its name?” “From the fact that it blooms only at the full of the moon.” “After all, the history of the Amezans is no stranger than the stories of the ancient lotus eaters.” No,” I said, “ but it has the added interest of being true.” By this time the old woman was again wandering round and talking in some heathen gibberish to herself. she stopped suddenly before Isisora. “I can help you,” she said in a voice that sounded nothing like any of the tones she had previously uttered. “I can help you.” “| knew you could,” said Isisora. “ Your name now is Isisora.” “ Yes, that is my name,” replied Isi- sora, turning a wondering glance to- ward me. ‘ But your name was once Elna Tar- vey.” “ Yes,” assented the priestess, with 279 a nod at me to signify that the hag knew what she was talking about. “And you wish to become again what you once were. [, Altama, alone, can transform you. Repeat, after me, these words.” . she began to mumble a jargon and Isisora’s face blanched. “Our hope is gone!” she cried, clutching my arm. “This fancied power is not the aid I wished. The old wo- man has lost her wits. The excitement _of our presence, after her longimprison- ment, has been too much for her, and she is as mad as Jadispiato himself.” “Mad! Mad! Yes, Jadispiato is mad,” repeated the crone. “But he can- not keep you as you are, for I will turn you back to Elna Tarvey.” . We stared at one another blankly. Desklit and 1, hoping that Isisora, or Elna as I called her from that time, would get the assistance she wished from the old woman, had scarcely real- ized the seriousness of our position. But now it came to us with vivid force. We were imprisoned in a cellar and would either starve there or be cap- tured as soon as the priests had suc- ceeded in forcing an entrance. We were unarmed and any attempt to reénter the temple would certainly result in our capture and death. _ “Well,” said Desklit, “ we are in a box swre enough. What shall we do next?” ‘“T am powerless to advise,” rejoined Fina. “I led you to this place thinking it might open the way to safety. In- stead I have brought you to a death trap.” “ Never mind, don’t give way to tears. We'll get out somehow. Did I not understand you to say your own blacks came here with food for this wo- man.” “Yes, but they came when I held the temple secluded from intrusion.” “There is no doubt the priésts know where we are?” ‘““ None whatever. I heard them try- ing to open the door.” 0) AOOLK CO