Argosy, Vol. 1 (1882) — page 292: what you’re looking at

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

THE CAPTIVES OF THE TEMPLE. He dropped his portion of the weight and took Lottie’s hand in his. That was a wonderful race, now I come to think of it.’ We discovered that the supposed cellar was really a great subterranean place extending, no one knew how far, on either side, the roof upheld by pillars of rock. Pas- sages led in all directions, and we passed from the lighted region into one of total darkness. Altama alone knew the way, and with her hissing voice she guided us. It must have been at least ten min- utes, and perhaps twice as long, that we scurried through those gloomy caves. Then Altama halted. ‘They may find us here, but they must look far and long,” she said. ‘They are cowards, these priests, and will not venture. We are safe for the time.” We laid the priest down on the floor and stood in a silent panting group. After a while, far away, we heard a faint sound as of voices. The priests had entered the cellar. They were calling Jadispiato, evi- dently, for the rising tones seemed like the crying of a name. “They seem to be calling some one,” said Desklit. “ They seek Jadispiato first, believing that where he is, there they will find us.” | “ Perhaps,” replied Elna, “but I doubtit. My own belfiefisthat they donot know Jadispiato is here. They may think so, but how can they be sure? From what you told me, there was no opening left large enough for Jadispiato to enter. There was no evidence left that you took him through the door. I rather think they are calling me, for they know [I led you this way.” For a long time—seemingly a day, but perhaps not more than an hour— we heard their voices calling. The sound came like slow waves, now in- creasing in volumes, now receding as they explored some distant portion of the place. Then they stopped alto- gether. 7A 283 “They have gone, I think,” said Desklit. : ‘“ But they will have left a guard.” “T can’t see,” I put in, that we have gained anything. Even if they do not discover us, what is to keep us alive? We shall starve in this place.” “Our only hope is in Jadispiato,”’ said Elna. ‘‘ Altama has done all she could. I have had much experience in Ameza, and, not having partaken of the maddening” root of the Moon Flower, I have observed. There was once a priest who was as strong in his worship of the flower and his adherence © to the rules of the priesthood as Jadis- piato. But he grew ambitious, and plot- ted among the other priests for power. His plan was to overthrow Jadispiato and make himself the ruling priest. “ The plot was discovered, and the priest thrown into prison. He was al- most starved, and none of the root was given him. His mind_= gradually cleared, and at last he became entirelv rational, but suffered tortures. He died in fearful agony.” * This is quite possible,” said Desklit. ‘Such a root, possessing so great an influence on the mind, would naturally create a craving for itself that nothing else could satisfy. So it is with opium, chloral, or any other of the deadly drugs to which people even in civil- ized communities become addicted. The sudden and total loss of the favor- ite stimulant or food results sometimes in mania, sometimes in death. Now, if such a root as this will produce mental disorder, hallucinations, and chimerti- cal forms of organizaton, why would the loss of it not react and bring about a sane condition just before the death that is inevitable? ” “ Itsounds reasonable enough as you put it,” I said. “I would not have be- leved that a root existed the eating of which would make a sane man mad.” “Good Lord, man! Whiskey will do it! Any of the drugs taken by dis- sipated people will in the end destroy ECOMicoOokKSs.c©