Argosy, Vol. 1 (1882) — page 296: what you’re looking at

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

THE CAPTIVES OF THE TEMPLE. “A fight took place, which of course was short, as we were all well armed. We killed all but two, and compelled those two to tell who they were. Pence appeared to have more information about the country than any one else, and he seemed delighted to think wé had captured them. He compelled them to guide us right to this place. None of us knew—unless Pence and Huskway did—what sort of place it was. All we knew, and all we cared, was that Pence said there was a coun- try here guarded by mysterious people who had rich diamond ‘deposits. We wanted diamonds, and were ready to go to any lengths to gain them. “ At the point of the sword the two prisoners guided us to a difficult pass in the mountains, and we entered this country, whatever it is. We numbered about forty from the Wing, with about twenty more desperadoes Pence had picked up in Santerem. We were well armed, had plenty of ammunition, and were easily a match for all the people here. Most of the men had knives, some had spears and bows, but there was not a gun 1n the place. “The people fled before us to this temple, and we attacked it. I was fight- ing side by side with Pence, and we made our way to this spot because the leader—that fellow there” (indicating Forresto)—‘ was here. He was killed, and I was wounded by our own fellows in the rear of us. The people broke away and fled. “We found help even after we got here. Those blacks you speak of— most of them—yjoined our party. If they were slaves, as you say, then that accounts for it. Slaves will always fight against their masters. “I don’t know where they are now. I suppose the fight has been a running one, and our people have driven the others to the hills to annihilate them.” * Did you see anything of four elder- ly gentlemen when vou got here?” J asked. ‘“‘ Four Englishmen, I mean, who were prisoners.” s 287 “Yes. They were in the temple bound before those big flowers. Pence set them free and compelled them to join his forces.” ‘Thank God, then, they are safe,” murmured Lottie. The firing still continued at a dis- tance. “Well,” said Desklit, “we don't seem to have anything 1n our way now. What shall we do? Try to escape? ” ‘“ I cannot go without my uncle,” ob- jected Lottie. “Pardon me—lI forgot,” said the dector quickly. “ No, of course you cannot. I was a brute even to suggest it. But since there is nothing for us to do, I think I will take a look at our friend Jadispiato. The poor old devil is harmless now, and there is no use let- ting him die if we can save him.” “ No, I would not like to have his death on our hands,” I said. “ If the tubers of the Moon Flower really un- seat the reason, he was not responsible for what he did.” | T will go downwith you,” said Elna. “ Will you not come, Lottie? ”’ A warm friendship had sprung up between these two beautiful girls, and they were happy in each other’s sweet companionship. We went down together, leaving Pedro Gapo to stand guard and notify us if anything occurred or if the fight- ing parties returned. We found the priest lying on the floor in the lighted portion of the cel- lar where we had first found Altama. The old woman was crouched near him, crooning softly to herself. An idea struck me, and I returned for a bed. We then made Jadispiato coni- fortable, and Desklit spoke to him. ‘ How do you feel now, my friend? ” he asked. The priest looked weakly up at him and a grim smile played around his mouth. | “ Do you call me friend?” he asked. “And why should I not?” replied Desklit. ecomilcooolks CO