Argosy, Vol. 1 (1882) — page 290: what you’re looking at

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

THE CAPTIVES OF THE TEMPLE. Old Altama was still wandering around the place, wringing her hands and talking incoherent nonsense. We left Gapo to guard the door, armed with the same iron bar. with which he had forced a hole through the — floor of the temple. Struggling, cursing, beside himself with fury, the priest was at last secured, and sank exhausted on the floor of the cellar. Elna, who had been quicker to think and act than Lottie, knowing more of the place, had found us an old rope, and with that we bound Jadispiato to prevent further struggles or attempt to do us injury. “ What will you do, accursed dogs!” demanded the priest. “ Do you know the penalty for this act?” _ “We know,” said Desklit, “ the pen- alty of disobedience to our demands. We are in desperate straits here, and consequently in a desperate mood. We came here innocent of all intent to do harm. Had you received us as friends, and told us of the sacredness in which you held this abominable but beautiful flower, we would have turned back and left you in unmolested possession of the botanical monster. But instead you made wus captives and threatened us with death.” “And death you shall have, base wretches!’ replied Jadispiato with an unpriestly curse. “ Death at the altar of the Moon Flower. This outrage upon the chief priest of the temple shall not go unavenged.” “ But the chief priest, as you see fit to call yourself,” rejoined Desklit, “ is in considerable danger. You will do well to listen to us. We are determined to get out of this place with our lives. You control the fanatics above and you alone can help us to safety. Your own safety depends upon your willingness to obey.” “ Even were I willing to so disgrace my high office,” answered Jadispiato, “T could not help you. I did, it is true, control the priests. But now the 281 younger of them are under the leader- ship of Forresto, and my aid would be of no avail. But even 1f word of mine could take you from this place to a ha- ven of safety, I would not speak it.” “Then you will die in this cellar.” “You do not count on Forresto. In an hour he and his associates will be here.” “There is truth in what he says,” in- terposed Elna. “ Forresto knows that we are here. All argument with Jadis- piato will avail nothing. We must ex- plore the place and find a more secure hiding spot. This old woman, if she had not been suddenly bereft of her senses, could no doubt guide us to one.” At these words the eyes of Jadispi- ato turned toward Altama. “Hag!” he cried in fury. witch! Did I not order your death? How is it I find you here? Who has played the traitor? ” At the well known tones of her old tormentor Altama stood a moment as if rooted to the spot. Her face took on varying shades of expression. “You!” she yelled, pointing a long bony finger at him. “ You, whose ruth- less hand deprived me of husband and son by death, and a daughter by sorcery! You here in this damned place with me! Ha, ha! It is the fate!” For a moment there was absolute si- fence. Lottie, Elna, Desklit and I watched with breathless interest this meeting between the two poor crazed things. Altama looked the mad wo- man, but the face of Jadispiato was the face of an intellectual man, now dis- torted with rage. “ How is it!” he demanded again. “T am the chief priest of Ameza, and I commanded your death. Ah! It was the treachery of Isisora! I see it now.” The old woman seemed struggling - with some unseen demon. Her face twisted and twitched, her eyes gleamed like coals of fire, and her arms were raised above her head as if to invoke a curse. GOnNGooo SS CO