Argosy, Vol. 1 (1882) — page 297: what you’re looking at

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

288 Jadispiato sighed. : “It all seems very strange,” he said. “T seem not to be the same man I was, yet I am. Was it not said that I was dead and in hell?” “Tt was said, but that was when you were obdurate, and we needed a ruse to compel you to obey. It was done to frighten you.” “ Nothing could frighten me. But it seems that I have lived two lives. Do I not remember ordering your death?” “You condemned us to death, and we fled from the temple to this place. You were endeavoring to break through the floor when we captured you and brought you here.” “It caused my death, for I shall not live. I should still be an enemy, but do not feel hatred.” “The long period of abstinence from the food you have been accustomed to has no doubt caused you much suffer- ing,” replied Desklit, “ but our action has really saved you from a violent death.” Jadispiato looked up wonderingly. ‘What do you mean?” he asked. “ I was not afraid of Forresto.” “No, it was a more dangerous en- emy than Forresto. Forresto is dead himself.” “What! hime?” “No, we had nothing to do with it. Do you not remember telling us that you had information of two parties coming here? One was our party after the Moon Flower, and the other was a party of rough sailors after dia- monds.”’ , “ Yes, yes, | remember.” “They have come. There were forty of them, well armed, and twenty more ruffians from Santerem. Your attack- ing party did not succeed as it did with us, and they were killed, all but two. At the point of the sword they were compelled to guide the intruders to Ameza. Fighting took place at once, and the black slaves joined with them against your people. The priesthood is Forresto dead? You killed THE ARGOSY. annihilated and the city 1s deserted. There is still fighting at a distance, and no doubt all will be slain.” For a moment a look of grief dis- torted the features of the old priest. Then he raised his hand feebly and took that of Desklit. “TI thank you for taking me by force,” he said. “I thank you for giv- ing me the opportunity to die peace- fully.” “ But I hope to save you,” responded the doctor. “ No, it is impossible. [I have. seen many die who had been deprived of their food. The root of the Moon Flower produces strange results when eaten, and one is the impossibility of living more than two days without it. I have been longer than that, and, though I have so long survived, the mischief is done, and I shall not live.” “T regret it,” said Desklit. “We all regret it,” I added. “ Here is Isisora. Do you not remember her?” “Ah!” a happy smile hit up his features. “Ah! Isisora! I loved you well. Like a beautiful daughter you were to me, and I made you priestess. Your father taught you to hate us, and, though you ate not of the Moon Flower, you were a good and lovely priestess. The others believed in you. Many a fight I have had with Forresto about you. He knew the influence I had over you, and wished me to com- pel you to become his wife. I refused, because you did not like the man. A bold conspiring man was Forresto. And so he is dead. Well, at least you are rid of his attentions.” “Tt is our opinion,” said Desklit, speaking for us all, “that you should remain here for a time. It 1s not an inviting place, but if we took you to your own house, and these enemies of your country return, flushed with vic- tory, they might, in their bloodthirsti- ness, kill you in your bed.” “Ah! They are wicked men. I will remain here and die in peace.” CORNICE OG CO