Part 51 (1/2)
”I have thought You have , ”Co,” and he led her to that door in passing which Leonard had been entrapped At the sa the other in her hand she left the cell, bolting the door behind her, so that Nam and Juanna stood in darkness
”Shepherdess,” said Nam sternly, ”you are about to see him whom you name the Deliverer Now remember this, if you cry out or speak above a whisper--he dies”
Juanna row faint within her Five minutes or more passed, and of a sudden a panel slid back in the upper part of the door which connected the two cells, so that Juanna could see through it, although those who stood on the further side could not see her, for they were in light and she was in darkness
And this hat she saw: Ranged against the wall of the second prison, and opposite to her, were three priests holding candles in their hands, whereof the light shone upon their sullen, cruel faces, and the snake's head tattooed on their naked breasts In front of these men stood two other priests, and between theed
On the hither side of the cell, and not more than two feet from the open panel, stood Soa, on who a command Between Soa and these men yawned an open hole in the rock floor
When Juanna had gazed upon this scene for so panel was closed, apparently by Soa, and Nam spoke:
”You have seen, Shepherdess,” he said, ”that the Deliverer is bound, and you have seen also that before him is a hole in the floor of the prison
He who falls down that hole, Shepherdess, finds hi of whoh it that we feed the Water-dweller at certain seasons of the year, and when there is no sacrifice Now, Shepherdess, you s; either to wed Olfan of your own free will this night, or to see the Deliverer thrown to the Snake before your eyes, and afterwards to wed Olfan whether you will it or not What do you say, Shepherdess?”
Juanna took counsel with herself, and caer, for she thought that this scene ht have been planned merely to try her fortitude
”I refuse to marry Olfan,” she answered
Then Nam opened the panel and whispered a word into the ear of Soa, who uttered a co Leonard on to his back upon the ground, an easy task seeing that his legs were fastened with ropes, and dragged hi over the oubliette-like hole Then they paused as though waiting for some further order Nam drew Juanna some few paces away from the door
”What is your word now, Shepherdess?” he said ”Is the lanced through the opening and saw that now Leonard's head and shoulders had vanished down the oubliette, while one of the priests held hin to let him fall
”Loose hi forward, Nam whispered to Soa, who issued another order
Thereupon the priests drew Leonard froh, rolled him to the side of the cell, for they would have preferred to be rid of him At that moment also the shutter was closed
”I said _loose him_,” repeated Juanna; ”now the round”
”No, Shepherdess,” replied Nae your mind, and then it would be troubleso and violent Listen, Shepherdess; when Olfan co of that man yonder, for he deems him to be dead, and the moment you speak of him he will be dead Do you understand?”
”I understand,” answered Juanna, ”but at least the gag ht be taken from his mouth”
”Fear not, Shepherdess, it shall be done--when you have spoken with Olfan And now, at what hour will it be your pleasure to see him?”
”When you will The sooner it is finished the better”
”Good My daughter,” he added to Soa, who just then entered the cell, ”be pleased toOlfan, aits without”
Soa departed upon her errand, and, overcome with terror which she would not show, Juanna sank upon the couch, hiding her face in her hands For a while there was silence, then the door opened again and, heralded by Soa, Olfan, the king, stood before her
”Be careful, Shepherdess,” whispered Nam as they entered; ”one word--and the Deliverer dies”
CHAPTER xxxV