Argosy, Vol. 123, No. 2 — page 46: what you’re looking at

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

180 ‘“‘ Nu-ko, the third day hence comes Tsu- ven before the Great Altar to claim the chieftaincy of the Ta-an. The priest clan will support his claim; magic is needed. Go you, therefore, and slay a wild horse. Be secret; see that none knows your deed. From the tail bring the six longest hairs; knot them together firmly in such wise as to make two long strings. Seek out also the home of the wild bees, bringing as much wax as may serve to cover the nail of your thumb. Go swiftly; let none know. It is said!” “Tt is said!” replied Nu-ko, and turned away on his errand. But at the mouth of the cave he halted, returning to kneel be- fore Sa-ko. ‘“‘ Speak!” said the latter, and the young man answered: ‘‘ Master, I sit at your feet, seeking ever to learn. As you ordered, so did we. When the lightning flashed before Tsu-ven we others, without, cried through the rift in the rocks, striking together stones, twang- ing bows, shrieking and groaning, that the sound might carry into the clouds within. But—master, I seek to grow great in the wisdom of our clan—whence came the lightning and the smoke that rolled up- ward? Is it permitted that this be made known to me?”’ Sa-ko’s face grew grave. “This is of the mysteries of the priestly clan,” he said. “Is your oath remem- bered?” ‘In very truth, master! ‘ Never to re- veal, by word or act or sign, one slight- est thing of the priestly magic, lest I van- ish forever from the sight of men, even as did Ten-ko of olden time, false to his vows.’ ” | : “Tt is well! Know then, that passing my hand above the fire, I let fall therein powdered gum frcm the resinous trees that grow in the forest; hence the strong-smell- ing smoke which filled the cave. Mixed therewith, dust from the Foot of Men- zono*; hence the lightning. Is it known?” THE ARGOSY. “Is that all?” asked Nu-ko, in amaze- ment. “Tt is all.” A slow smile spread over the face of the young priest, to be instantly smitten there- from by the angry glare of Sa-ko and his harsh, menacing words: “Your oath! This is of priestly magic, unknown to the tribesmen.” Hum- bly, reverently, the young priest bowed, saying: 3 ‘‘ Master, I give thanks that I am per- mitted to know!” And turning, he hurried from the cave. | Sa-ko sat for a time meditating, plan- ning, then rolled himself in skins and laid him down to sleep. CHAPTER III. THE OATH OF NAN-A-TA, S° it was that Tsu-ven’s claim and his accusation came not as a surprise to the priests, though the tribesmen were thunderstruck at the unheard-of occurrence. And much eager questioning was there as the crowd moved to the Lesser Altar, where questions of tribal policy too grave for the Rock of Council were decided. Whisperings, wondering looks, outright | questions—these all flew back and forth from man to man, but the only answer was a puzzled shake of the head or: “ Nay, I know naught thereof.”’ When the altar was reached Sa-ko placed himself behind the flat-topped waist-high pile of rocks, the other priests grouping themselves—as he had previously instructed them—in a semi-circle whose wings ex- tended about_the ends of the altar. In front, four or five paces away, stood Tsu-ven and Nan-a-ta, side by side, the latter wondering as much as any of the tribe; it had never entered his mind that another could claim the chieftainship, though, indeed, the honor was not of his Seeking. Behind the two claimants, some Autuor’s NoteE—* From the name given by Sa-ko, “Foot of Menzono ”_iterally, “ Wolf's Foot ”—and from the behavior of the dust, it seems probable that the powd from the spore-cases of Lycopodium clavatum or Lycopodium Selago, er in question was very common varieties of moss. This dust is used even at the present time in the manufacture of fireworks and for theatrical lightning. comicloool C©