Part 56 (2/2)

It was not fear that held me, for I felt none; I think that dimly and half unconsciously I saw in that black line, silently creeping upon us, the final and inexorable approach of the remorseless fate that had pursued us ever since we had dashed after Desiree into the cave of the devil, rendering our every effort futile, our -stock of the Gods

I was not even conscious of danger I sat as in a stupor

But action cah not from me, so suddenly that I scarcely knehat had happened There was a cry fro to his feet The Incas leaped forward

I felt round, and a spear was thrust intoto me to follow

Desiree was at his heels; but I saw her halt and turn toforward

Harry's spear whirled about his head, leaving a gap in the black line that was now upon us Through it we plunged The Incas turned and caot round

”Cross to the left!” Harry yelled He was fighting the to Desiree to follow, and dashed across the cavern

We saw the wall just ahead, broken and rugged Again turning I called to Harry, but could not see hi to his rescue when I saw hih the solid h they had been stalks of corn He was not a man, but a demon possessed

”Go on,” he shouted ”I'll make it!”

Then I turned and ran with Desiree to the wall We followed it a short distance before we reached one of the lanes of which Harry had spoken; at its entrance he joined us, still bidding us to leave him to cover our retreat

Once within the narrow lane his task was easier Boulders and projecting rocks obstructed our progress, but they were even greater obstacles to those who pursued us Still they rushed forward, only to be hurled back by the point of Harry's spear Once, turning, I saw hih the air into the very faces of his comrades

I had all I could do with Desiree and myself Many times I scra her up safely after ain on the other side Then I returned to see that Harry got over safely, and often hespears struck the rock on every side

It is a wonder to me now that I was able even to stand, after my experience on the spiral stairway in the column The soles of my feet and the palms of my hands were baked black as the Incas themselves

Blisters covered , indescribably painful

Every step I tookin a faint to the ground; I expected always that the next would be ht of Desiree, I think, that held me up, and Harry

Suddenly a shout came from Harry that the Incas had abandoned the pursuit It struck me almost as a matter of indifference; nor was I affected when almost immediately afterward he called that he had been mistaken and that they had rushed forith renewed fury and in greater numbers

”It is only a matter of time now,” I said to Desiree, and she nodded

Still ent forward The land had carried us straight away frohest I had seen, and often a boulder which lay across our path presented a serrated face that looked as though it had but just been broken from the wall above

Still the stone was coer on the surfaces that surrounded us

We were standing on one of these boulders when Harry ca toward us