Argosy, Vol. 123, No. 2 — page 45: what you’re looking at

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

THE MASTER OF MAGIC, could the custom of human sacrifices be instituted once more the power of the priest clan would grow apace till in the end they might again, as in earlier time, outweigh the warrior clan—perhaps éven the Great Chieftain himself. “Ts it in your mind that this be done?” he asked, and Tsu-ven nodded. “ Not in my power will it lie to order thus,” he said, ‘‘ yet would I not hinder— nay, even throw my meen on the side of the priests.” ‘Would the tribesmen go soon to ae ‘“In very truth. Let me but hold the ivory staff, and not long shall the altar go bare of victims. First, of course, must captives be offered.” ‘“‘ That, of course,” said Sa-ko. ‘‘ And the priests will aid?” For a time the Chief Priest remained si- lent, looking ever into the embers. At length he raised his head and gazed full into Tsu-ven’s eyes, and the warrior shrank from the stern glare of the older man. “Tt- is said!” replied Sa-ko, and Tsu- ven repeated: ‘“Te is said!” Tsu-ven rose and was about to turn from the cave, but the priest motioned him to sit, and he sank once more by the fire. And now the true characters of the men first showed, for Sa-ko took the lead, instructing the warrior how to proceed when the fated time should arrive, Tsu-ven listening re- spectfully. ““ See to it,” said the ‘priest, “ that your warriors come betimes to the ceremony; let them, carrying arms, take place in the front rank, not quarreling, not fighting, but none the less firmly. Instruct some half-score that they saw the staff placed in your hands and heard the chieftain name you to follow him. Then, when Nan-a-ta comes forward to claim the chieftaincy, do you put forth your claim, saying that the staff was stolen from you as you slept. Say that the foot- prints in and about your cave show the thief to be lame; thus shall Kan-to be ac- cused—and it may be that we can cause him to be slain, for Kan-to and Sar-no- m’rai are most crafty of those who follew Nan-a-ta.”’ “Is not L’vu to be feared as well?” ‘dying fire. 179 “L’vu is a bull of the bison herd,” snorted the priest. “Strong of arm is he, but slow of wit. He is not to be feared. The rest may you leave to me. Between you and Nan-a-ta will I decide, leaving the issue to magic. Should I declare for a trial by omens, do you agree, having faith.” ‘In very truth,” responded Tsu-ven, humbly, “ in very truth, Great Priest, well is it known that your magic is strong, yet—”’ eC ¢ Yet’?” “Yet do I fear. It is whispered that magic is known to Nan-a-ta as well, he hav- ang learned from Kan-to. May not his magic be stronger than your own?” Sa-ko laughed. “Nay,” said he, ‘ the magic is but for the crowd. No trial of skill shall there be. It is but to sway the tribesmen that I will put forth my power!” Still Tsu-ven hesitated, doubtful. Sa-ko leaned forward and swept his hand over the Instantly within the cave there came a flash of lightning followed by crackling thunder, dense clouds of smoke rolled upward from the hearth, spreading through the cave, filling it with a pungent odor, and from out the clouds there issued groans and cries, screams of fighting men and shrieks of agony, the clash of weapons, twanging of bows, and all the uproar and tumult of battle. Terrified, cold to his marrow, his knees shaking, Tsu-ven leaped to his feet and stood hesitant, doubtful whether to flee or ‘to remain. At length the noise quieted, the smoke cleared away, and all was still once more. Sa-ko gazed steadily at the warrior, who, still trembling with fright, looked wildly about, then fell on his knees before the priest. “Your words shall be done,” ered, and Sa-ko replied: “It is well; go now.” Tsu-ven made his way from the cave and he quav- ‘down the hill toward the river, and when the sound of his passage had died away Sa-ko called loudly: At once a young priest entered the cave and bowed respectfully before his Super who said: NOOK (©