Part 33 (1/2)
”'T is Beelzebub!”
The sleeping priest leaped to his feet, glaring about in bewilderment
Where I lay outstretched it required an instant to gather rip upon hi screaht Iknife found bloodless sheath within the soft earth of the wall
”Zounds! are you a screeching worily, panting for breath ”'T is likely that priest will rouse the tribe, and we shall have a run for it What caused you to make such an uproar?”
”Saints of Israel!” he said, repentantly enough, his glinting eyes still roving over the silent, leering ie, ”never before did I behold such monster as that For the moment, I believed it Satan himself
But, for the love of the prophets, what is this?” He began eagerly sniffing the air with his great nose like a pointer dog ”'T is food I scent; that which will stay a fa you, friend, pause shortly while I satisfy in sos of the body Then shall I be better fitted to withstand the temptations of the world”
”Odds, er attack upon the supply outspread before the idol ”So far you have acted like a lunkhead, and I begin to regretyou comrade in this adventure
If a full stomach inspires to a man's duty, it would be policy always to bear food about with you”
”Ay, 'tis strange, indeed,” he mumbled, his mouth too full for clear speech, ”that one who ever strives to live in spiritual exercise should be so coence Yet I did inherit all such unGodly tendency from my mother as of Dutch blood, as round of form as a Holland churn, while my father was spare of build, and throve rossed sectary to refresh himself to the full of his capacity, I anxiously set to work searching after soround altar eould lead toward the open air With diligent care I passed along the walls, testing each separate section, yet discovering nothing to rewardfeet of the effigy, which appeared to sway unsteadily, I lifted the cri, barely sufficient to per flat
”Most noble scavenger,” I said, feeling in better humor from this chance discovery of the means of escape, ”are the wants of nature finally satisfied? For if so, I have found a path which will lead us from this hole of iniquity”
”Nay, call it not so while it offers such excellent bodily nurture,” he replied with fervor, cocking one eye up athis pockets full of eatables ”Say rather the shadow of a great rock in a weary land, or a well of water in desert places I shall be ready to accompany you upon a journey after I lay in these few necessaries The Lord hath given me manna in the wilderness--even as the ravens fed Elijah so hath He succored me--and 'twould be sin to make mock of His mercy”
”Very well; only hurry and follow uide?” he questioned, peering doubtfully into the yawning black opening
”No; the light would serve to betray us to any spying eyes Perhaps that frightened priestback If so, it will be best for hih in faith he will scarcely doubt we possess earthly appetites when he notes your onslaught on the sacred food Co; your pockets can hold no rieves ood pabulu still the few ment, did you pack the rest of this providential supply”
Never pausing to answer, I crept between the spreading wooden limbs, and, with the expenditure of no s into the narrow hole beyond It was a cra in fired to advance, until I finally eer excavation, rese the tunnel we had previously traversed
”Now, Master Cairnes,” I spoke back encouragingly, ”it is only a short distance to good footing; so take fresh breath and come on”
His ht of the narrow opening, and I heard heavy breathing as the fellow squeezed his broad shoulders through the hole There followed sounds of violent struggle during his slow and painful advance
”By all the prophets and the patriarchs,” he groaned wearily, ”'tis not inI could have slipped through, scarcely touching either side But now I a for the feast Baste me, friend Benteen, but I can move neither forward nor back in this accursed place; I aress without aid”
I reached down until I laid firers
”Find soustedly
”Fervently will I endeavor to dig in, and thus render all assistance in ood works Would it not be wise to test the potency of prayer? Verily the prayer of the righteous availeth much”