Part 6 (1/2)
Early next morning Cadman got a telegram calling him to Calcutta; and afterward to England.
”We'll take time to do this big thing first, though,” he said, putting the wire into Skag's hand. ”They want me sooner--as you see; but they'll get me later. Come away and I'll send word to that effect.”
Skag was realising what it would have meant to him, if Cadman had failed; so he asked--vaguely--something about the Rose-pearl.
”Don't let yourself get interested in her, son. That family is like a secret sanctuary; and she is the holy thing behind the altar. She's unattainable.”
CHAPTER III
_Son of Power (Continued)_
They left the train at Sehora and struck out through rough country, following d.i.c.kson Sahib's directions. They camped in full jungle--wild beast voices ringing through the night.
Next day they came into a valley like Eden, nourished by a small river.
On its banks--near a mud-walled, gra.s.s-thatched village--Cadman discovered a devout man of great learning, who rested on the path of a long pilgrimage. The devout man was approachable and spoke perfect English; so they asked him about the land ahead.
”The Gra.s.s Jungle, sons? It is the place of secret ways. Only the very innocent of men-things dwell there; those not soiled by the wisdom of evil. To the wise of the world, it is the place of plague and pestilence and fear; and swift death by heat--and the shedding of blood. Past all else--to such--it is the place of the shedding of blood.”
He stopped a moment, musing; then in softer tones went on:
”The days are all still there. The creature-mult.i.tude sleeps in hidden lairs--black and gold and brown and grey--all veiled in golden gloom.
The little men-things go their ways, on their own man-paths, which they only know; remember this--they only know.
”When you go in, they will send boys with you from one village to the next; but only in the early hours, or in the late hours of day. See that you do not persuade them otherwise. The full-day heat is called 'blight'
because it robs men of their wits.”
Skag scarcely breathed, till the Learned spoke again.
”At night--I speak who know--at night the earth rises up to the heavens on the voices of the wild and the ears of the G.o.ds are offended.
Creatures go out on their own paths--as the men-things go on theirs by day. They rend and contend, they kill and are killed; but they do not cease till dawn.”
The devout man's head sank low upon his breast and he was very still.
”It's romance, Skag,” whispered Cadman, ”but that's not saying it's our romance. The man's off again in his abstractions; but I'm going to try once more.”
Skag nodded.
Touching the wise man's foot with reverence and speaking in the form of utmost respect, Cadman asked:
”Is it well that we go in? We search for one who sings as the super-human sing; we search for the sake of sick hearts--her heart and others. Is it well?”
The eyes that lifted were not abstract; they were very deep and keen.
Both the Americans felt winnowed before he spoke again.
”Ignorance is not good, but innocence is the supreme defence. If it is the will of the beneficent G.o.ds that you find the unmothered woman of great beauty in time, then it shall be so. But be patient. Move slowly through the little peoples, forgetting your search--I say forgetting your search, as you go. Be kind; haste will not delay the sacrifice--kindness may. The way lies before you. Peace.”
Cadman rose at once. They had been dismissed with a benediction; nothing further could be obtained. Otherwise Skag would have been a question-mark before that poor old man till morning.