(CONCLUDED ) CHAPTER XLI.

Waikato Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2033, 18 July 1885, Page 5 (Supplement)

(CONCLUDED ) CHAPTER XLI.

The first blow, we are told, mercifully destroys the sensibility. To a certain extent this is true, bodily and mentally ; but, for all that, the eucceeding strokes aie felt, weaker and weaker. The captives bad already lost all hope, and resigned themselves to their fate, bat for all that their position flashed occasionally across their minds and almon maddened them. Orinora's mysterious movet ments and disappearance recalled Berbert'agony, and he chafed like a wild animal in a «age. John Mordcn was more calm. "My dear lad," he said, " do not doubt the darling. Since you came here ahe has wonderfully developed in intellect, and though it appeari impossible, I should not be surprised if the has sought this interview to obtain our escape — how I cannot see. Bat it is an old saying that women's wits are ■harpened preternaturally when those they love are in danger. She has great power over Paranoa ; be loves her with the full force of hia powerful passions." Henry Allan sat on what might be called the throne of the island, looking at his prisoners, especially John Morden, his face expressing every feeling of evil gratification. He revelled in the dread and despair of his enemy, in his sufferings at the absence of his daughter. By his instructions cocoanut cups of intoxicating liquor were banded round as revivers, and the dark-skinned crowd soon ! •howed iti effect. They organised an ancient ■war dance, instructed by the old men, and when Paranoa and his trembling charge re- ] turned, the natives were whirling round the mound in a wild bewildering circle, brandishing clubs and war-weapons that had not 'Gen the light for many a year. This exhibition ■showed John Morden that a large number of the natives— all the ancients— had only concealed their religion ; hence the ease with which they had been won by Henry Allan when he was able to disabuse their minda of the luperstitious terrors. The dying man sow recognised how foolish and vain had been hii effort to ostablish amoDg such a people a rationalistic religion, without a vital principle. Bat hi was able also to see that a merciful intelligence forgave his error. The war dance came to an end, and the moment Paranoa appeared, and the natives as if by magic, became like statues awaiting the latt scene of the drama. " I« everything in readiness ? " asked Henry riling. " It ii," came from many voices. " The boata ? " "Yes." "If everything prepared bo that the sacrifice shall be according to the ancient rites 7 " He spoke in the old tongue now, for he addressed the leaders. " Everything, mighty Marambola," was the *eply. The soene at this moment was such as Mould reward .the best artist of the world. In a very short space of time the sky had sgain clouded, and was now covered with a veil, through which the sunbeams were filtered, giving a greeniih grey light that imparted a weird and spectral appearance to the world. In thi« light the lake, islets and mountains •Kar^ed a new appearance, euggestive of whajfc tb6 poett have imagined the entrance to (the laud ot Shades. In this strange picture of still iifo the mound was the only place where mail appeared, and gave movement ; the faces of all paled and changed by the remarkable light. Henry Allan's splendid igare stood out above the rest, while Parajnoa'a magnificent form, below him, Beemed that of a Pre-Adamite giant. Lower still appeared the group of prisoners : John Mor<Un'i venerable face and form; Orinoras .matchlesi beauty; Herbert's manly, virtuotyj {Me, among the read like » man's in ttw

mi li( of animals ; Harry's handsome face and lissome form, the faco even now full of contempt; Ebby'a honest countenance and remai kable form. The European dress made the i rieoners contrast startingly with their eapto'3. Around this group was to be aeen a circle of natives, whose strange garments, du^la 3kins and glittering eyes made & fitting taklci u. In that scene the eye w»uld rest with love i ud wonder upon tho peerless form and unofi.ihly beauty of Onnora. But had thrown herself into the arms of her fufcher when she had returned, but had only 1 estowed a glance — but auoh a glance — at her lover, for she feared to anger the jealous am? trmble Paranoa. | "D > not question me, father, ' she whispcrpd, -'wait the event, wait the event." '• T; .en," said Harry Allan, when his queries wue .nnounced, "there is nothing but to prucet i. It was the custom in the olden tiixe to perform tho ceremony of sacrifice at the hr ur of midnight. We would have sacrificed t r ie viodma last night had it not been ftr thi btorm that would not suffer a boat on the lali". We cannot wait till midnight ; the Great God Karatara cries out for vengeance; hp i 3 iiow gathering his powers from the eaat and t\ c west and the north and the south to our d> truction unless we bestir to appease him with blood. In the hour of his wrath they v ill perish, and then there will be sunahir.e for ever. Listen! He shakes the earih ia anger 1 " Ihe earth Ehook ; there was a low report as if of ii distant cannon. Every head was bowal in observance to the god. " Tv the Valley of Eternal Gloom, to the V&lLy of Eternal Gloom," came from the assemble like an echo of that awful voice of thp fit 1 1 th. " B'^phemar," cried John Morden, his form dilating with rage; "it is the voice of God, not of your demon." " Ti.e voice of the people is the voice of God, democrat," replied Henry Allan with a voico tuat had the sneer of Satan in it. •' Why did you not teach these people your cruc in d God and all that mummery ? Becaufo you did not etactly believe in Him. This \> jour roward. The voice of the people is the voice of God, man of the people, and it pronounces your death. I will now give the order to bear you to your fate " ' Slr.y, father," eaid Paranoa, whose face betrajed the intensity of his feelings. "I have a favor to aak before you go further." H.my Allan looked Bearchingly into Paranoa's face and a cloud gathered on his own. Something told him Orinora had prevailed in a degree on the young man. He knf-w of thia danger, but dismissed it with contempt. "Do not ask anything impossible, he said sternly ; " anything that concerns the lives cf iheee people, for, by the Great God Karatara, they must die, and that in an hour." "Father," said Paranoa, "we need not stain the isle with blood when we can obtain all we deiiie— the absence of these strangers —without." . '■ Blood 1" cried Henry Allan; "blood is necetsary— when did you learn to abhor it? ' "I know nothing of bloodshed," replied PdiAnca, with a firmness that waa ominous. II i* proud, spirited nature had taken up tho quiirel. "I simply aay that these men have an pir-fbip that will take them away from tbib island for ever. Let them go. Orinora ba< promised to remain and become my wife, .md not only that, but to love me. If they are killed she will destroy herself, and I will lot c all I have worked for. Even if I prevented her uhe would not love me. I not only want her body, but her soul, her love ; and these she has offered. "An air ship," said Allan, to himself, " that must mem a balloon — I have seen them. What if I use it and go back to the dear world whero all pleasure lies, carrying with me the store-j of gold our old ship contained, the sure passport to a happy ending for my life. The very thing. I saw two or three of these balloons, and would in time learn how to work the affair." Poor Paranoa— he little knew he had only strengthened his father's resolve. » Foolish lad," Baid Allan aloud, " you have bean led astray. If they have such a ship and can with it leave the island, they can return aud destroy us. I tell you they must die. But why ahould I speak. If I were to listen to you of. what use would it be— look around." Paianoa did look and the terrible circle of faces would have daunted a lesa bolder apirit ; one who was not armed with the talisman he firmly grasped, and which aeemed to aend throbs of life and intelligence through his frame. " Piopose it to them," he aaid. " Chiefs and men of the Island," said Allan, " the young chief Paranoa, the son of yonr last High Priestess, saya these demons have a boat wherewith they can fly— the air and he proposes to let them Jeave the island in it, that they may call the evil ones together and come back and destroy us. What any you ?" " No," came in a volley, the terror of which wa^ too awful for expression; " to the Valley o£ Eternal Gloom with the evil one, the magiciane. No 1 No 1 No !" It was the thunder of hell. " Tnore, foolish child, you have had your answer," said Henry Allan, in a tone of contempt and rebuke. "Say no more; let us proceed." "But I will say more," replied Paranoa, whoHO blood was now up, the blood of a wild and passionate nature that would not brook opposition. He advancad to the front and waved his hand. The respect of the people for the son of the great priestess any prophetess, the possessor of tho Singorama prevailed on them to bear him. " Chiefs and men of the island," he said. " He who has commended the sacrifice ia the Great God Karatara." " Great Karatara, God of Gods," roared the multitude, this time with reverence strangely blended. " But," said Parftnoa, and his grand ana powerful voice stilled the assemblage, " there i« a greater and a better God, even Azaroha." At thia there was a universal obesiance. Years had passed since that once-loved namo had been heard in general assemblage. " My mother," continued Paranoa, " wa« the priesteas of Azaroha, and I inherit her oilice." " Produce the emblem of her power," aaid an aged chief and priest who was in the front rank" "and we will recognise you, we will obey the embl6m." " That," aaid Allan, with a aaroastio smile, 11 he cannot,"— he spoke to himself. " See, believe, obey," said Paranoa, Btretching out his hand with the myatio jewel. There was a cry of awe, of worship, and the whole multitude fell, not upon their knees, but prostrate on their faces. » The Singoramba I the Singoramba 1" Henry Allan started back as if he had received a deadly wound. He at once recognised the jewel; he knew and had availed himaelf of its power. In a moment of impulse he made as if to snatch it. 11 Back," eaid Paranoa, "it is of no value I to you, for I alone have the right to use it ; I alone am of the blood of the High Prieit, Had it been powerful in any other hands il had already effected the captivea' deliverance." . . " Orinora," Baid John Morden, clasping nil daughter, " you are an angel of mercy. Bui laat night I spoke lightly of this Btone, th( power of which I knev. You have saved us and the world onoe more is bright 1"

Bright I Would Bhe have gasped as if dying if it were so ? Alas 1 " I now," resumed Paranoa, " by the power of this symbol ask y«u to obey the God, the great, g«od, and merciful Azaroha. He declares by the Toioe of the Possessor that these captives shall go, that they leave the Island, never to return. Will you obey the voice of the God, spoken by the Posseesor of the Symbol?" "We will I Let them' go. Let the Great and Good be obeyed !"