Part 35 (1/2)
The fellow grinned at s
”I care not if you kill,” he answered, with true Indian stoicis Kill, but I will not be unavenged of my people; for, whether I live or die, it matters not--there is no escape for you”
He spoke with such confidence as to stun uised conte Well, they are true, nor a to tell you You are trapped here There is no path you can travel, either by night or day, unseen of our people You have already clio back This way you have reached the end Behind is the village; here the altar of sacrifice--choose either, and you die like the _Francais_ dogs you are”
”Who is here to touch us?” I asked derisively ”There is food in plenty; we can wait our chance”
”Ay, you have grace of this day in which tomaliciously ”When yonder ht of sacrifice Know you ill happen then?” he licked his thin lips greedily ”I may not be here to see, but it will be the same Up that path of rocks will swarm all of my race, and what then can save you fro their pleasure--white-faced _Francais_”
His old, deeply sunken eyes gleamed so with hatred, I drew involuntarily back, my blood chilled with a conviction that he did not lie
”Here? Do you tell me the tribe comes here?”
”Ay, here, _Francais_,--here to o forth once more, and conquer the land of their fathers”
”'T is your custom to kill slaves?”
”When there be none better, but noe have other victims sent us by the Sun, all _Francais_, and you two cooped up here to be added to the others 'T will be a sweet sacrifice, and I should like to live to hear your cries for mercy, and drink of the warm blood”
I stared at him, unable to deny our helplessness
”You would make us believe there is no upper entrance to this accursed hole!”
”Seek as you please--there is none You are trapped beyond struggle; you cannot escape the vengeance of the Sun”
I pointed, still incredulous, toward the great burning log
”Did you grow yonder tree in this cavern? or was it borne here on the back of a slave?”
”It was lowered frorass ropes”
”I believe you lie,” I cried, now thoroughly shaken by his surly contempt; but the fellow only leered at ht reflect beyond sight of his eyes As I passed to the other side of the altar I observed a little gray daylight flooding the ht recalled to er
”Cairnes,” I called, ”it is about the hour of sunrise Down in the village I have noticed that whenever the sun touches the crest of these rocks the priests up here go forth, waving a flame into the air froes beloould coht frorimly shook his head
”Nay,” he replied ”I have borne part enough in their heathen orgies already; it will take a lifetie my soul I bon to Baal no ue with such as he, nor had I spirit to do it
”Then keep close guard over the priest,” I retorted; and, grasping a torch fro mass upon the altar, azed upon a grander view of nature than that which greeted e down into that beautiful basin wherein the remnant of the Natchez had established their home The early sun had not as yet illumined the lower levels, and all beneath ray of pro valley was dotted with numerous square-topped huts of yellow straw, surrounded by ponderous walls of gray stone or dun-colored earth, and the irregular green fields were intersected by a silvery ribbon of running water: the whole composed such a fair picture of restful, peaceful beauty, that for the e in silent contemplation It appeared impossible that so sweet, secluded a spot could be the habitation of savages, vengeful and cruel Yet those black,in front of the various lodges, I kneere naked heathen, blood-thirsty and vindictive Now that the earliest rays of sunlight were beginning to tinge with gold the crest above me, every expectant face in the tribe would be upturned towardsignal My eyes becouish those faint sparks of light where the priests below gathered before the great altar-house to wave back response If ould live for even another day theremyself for the task, I stepped forth on to the narrow shelf--noeyes beneath--and flung forth the fla torch in fiery welcome to the Sun A shrill cry from the throats far below reached my ears in the e, I witnessed a responsive signal of flame from the mound summit, and inferred that no suspicion had been aroused in the uardians of these heathen rites Satisfied of our present safety I walked back to the great charily at each other, while the latter nursed his leg so tenderly as toarisen between them
”What now, brother Cairnes?” I questioned in so as I came nearer stains of fresh blood on his hose
”Yonder black-faced cannibal buried his teeth in loo another bit ofthere like a bull-dog until I choked him loose 'Tis my vote we kill the unGodly ”
The energetic movement of his red head clearly evidenced the sincerity of his feelings, yet it was not in s upon a helpless prisoner