Argosy, Vol. 1 (1882) — page 298: what you’re looking at

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

THE CAPTIVES OF THE TEMPLE. We stood around him a short time looking down upon the worn cheeks of what had once been a handsome face, each one of us feeling a real sorrow that the old man could not be saved. He looked from one to another, and we saw that he was growing weaker, even after the food I had sent him. His voice was faint, and he raised his hand to indicate that he wished to whisper. We bent low over him. “You are all very kind,” he said. “ I thank you before I go for what you have done, and for what you would have done had you been able. And now I ask that you leave me alone with Isisora, the priestess. I have some- thing of importance to tell her. She will be the only living representa- tive of our once proud country, and though she is not born of our blood, she is perfect, and therefore we ac- cepted her as one of ourselves. Leave her with me.” We withdrew to a distance, leaving the lovely girl bending over him. We saw the gleam of excitement in his dy- ing eyes as he whispered his message into her shell-like ear. We saw her nod and caress his hand as she listened. The whispered conference lasted but a short time, and she rose and beck- oned to us. “ He is dying,” she said. : And he was dying. The strange, nusguided man, whose mind had been wrecked by the fatal food of Ameza, and the inheritance of its effects from his parents, who also ate it, lay quite still and smiling with his bright eyes looking up at us. Several minutes we stood there in si- lence. Then, in a strong voice, he said, “JT go. My time has come.” Elna knelt weeping beside him. Desklit took his hand and bade him farewell. Then I took his hand in _ mine. “You are strong and young and manly,” he said to me. “ These other two have their affinity. I know that Isisora looks upon you with friendly 289 eyes. I have loved her since I first saw her—with the honest love of a father who wishes for his beloved nothing but the best and worthiest. There are ene- mies in Ameza, and our people are no more. I leave [sisora in your keeping. Swear to me that you will protect her life and her interests even at the risk of your own.” “ At the sacrifice of my own if nec- essary,” I said warmly. “It needs no oath to bind me to it. I swear to please you, but it would be my pleasure with- out an oath.” I believe—I know,” said Jadispiato. “And now my beautiful one—I go— kiss me.” With a sob Elna bent and kissed him, and with that kiss still warm on his old lips his life went out. We were about reverently to arrange him when we heard the fog horn voice of Gapo calling. “Senor Keybu’n! Senor Oliver! Dey’s comin’ fur suah now, an’ I hear dem shrieks an’ yells like de debbil! ” “Come!” said Elna with a flash of intuition. ‘ Let them find us above. It will not do to let them know of this place. We may need it again.” Recognizing at once the wisdom of her remark, we filed up the stairs, care- fully closing the trap behind us. “ Where shall we meet them? ” asked Lottie. ‘‘ Don't forget how anxious I am about my uncle.” Desklit pressed her hand. ‘IT suggest,” I said, with what I thought was a flash of genius, “ that I‘Ina still remain Isisora, the priestess of .\meza, and meet them as a queen.” Desklit laughed. ‘It would be a fine scene,” he said, “but that would scarcely be obeying the commands of Jadispiato. The first thing vou knew some of Pence’s cut- throats would slay her. My idea is that she should appear to be one of the pro- fessor’s party, and know nothing about this place more than we do.” “Good!” I said.. ‘‘ But her garb is different.” EOMicoOolkKs.cO