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2 - CHICAGO LEDGER .
had passed had either failed to see. or toward his destination, swinging the tention whatever to the question, not coming of his little friend; continually
-- else hid entirely disregarded, their Iigv bamboo vessel idly by its thong of hide. understanding the tongue; but the one his eyes sought the opgn ,,,,,W‘.,y,
nals or distress, absentiy watching the sunlight in 3“1h01’Hy turned and began to walk Dimiy he thought of the folks at home.
‘ thought.“ said Reading to his com- dance on the uneven blue of the sea as beside the American. " who have sinned against the
., panion. as he threw the seed of on he turned over in his mind the matter “To the Temple of the Holy Ngah." he Holy Ngah." a low, droning voice said.
overripe mango out into the grove. "I of the idoi's coming. . anlvrered gravely: and his eyes, sunken breaking in upon the big American‘s
thought I'd never tire of tropical fruits. Having filled the joint with water. he and Smlll Mid Wicked. flaslmd 8 Kfeal "Elli 0! reflections. -“You are to die to‘
when l was a boy. But, Kid, I'm tired strolled as slowly back to the hut. his hatred. . explate your crime, as is the judgment
of them now. Honest, I'm starving. thoughts harder than ever at the task "And 'hy to the Temple of Ngah?" or Ngah the Holy, Ngah the savior of
Kid," , unraveling the mystery which was,Redding pursued, quietly, however. for Souls." x, '
lie persisted in calling Sllverthorn presented to him by the figure of white,l’ear of arousing anger by his inqulsi- Reading, turned his head and
saw.
"I(id.“ Still, he was a very big fellow.
and perhaps that gave him a. sort of
stone.
hen he reached the primitive habi-
tation he found it deserted. l‘.edding's
at lay crumpled on B. mat. ilverthorn
veness
“That you may make amends for your
sin.">the much-tattooed chief answered lam s.
readily, not at all averse to breaking
standing beside him, a figure in black,
barely visible in the poor light of the
x-.
"Ngah the Holy." the voice droned on.
light.
sllverthorn made no reply. t the bamboo Joint down so quickly unwelcome tidings to his cap ve. Who came to me In a vessel of pure
"We'll better take to doing watching that it overturned and spill its con- "My gin!" Reading gnnrted mud],-, us white. unaccompanied save by the spir-
nt night instead of sleeping. Kid." i‘.ed- tents: then, with a cry of apprehension. was growing angry n15e]f now; he its of departed Karinundans. llali, thou
1’-ing went on. “There's trouble com- he darted to the pile of nipa that had realized um; he stngdaremapkably gggd Ngah"-he turned slightly to the idol-
ing. believe me. l‘ve got no hankering hidden the idol. , chance of having to suffer to atone for ‘and witness that this strange man from
to have a ass between my a was gone! BuL in uncover- some imaginary wrong to a heamen the unknown world is to pay for his sin
and my shoulders vrhiledreamingpeach ing it, the nipa. had been thrown over den,-, with his life!’
fully of home.’ ' Iieddlng's revolver and cartridge elt. -1-, much we Ha“, “E33 [3 to 415- The dark figure then went thru with
“Guard duty, eh?" smiled the little thereby saving them. too. tom being cggng gm", gh, acanel, mo , of a series of weird gestures. after which
American.‘ taken. Silverthorn examined the floor the man In the gaudy robe. ‘except to he seemed literally to go wild in a fever
Z
i
ll
“You're on." replied Bedding. ““'e-;“
lie broke off abruptly and straight-
ened; then he sprang to his feet. peer-
ing under one of his muscular brown
minutely, and found nothing: still. the
ground was so dry
would not have revealed a footprint
there been an elephant there
It is the judg-
ed to do so.
and hafd U!!! N ment of the Holy Ngah itself.’
He held the idol with one band and
inted to it with the other. Light broke
or fanatical enthusiasm. Drawing ,a
kl-is rorn beneath his robe, he began
to dance here and there. brandishing the -
keen weapon dangerously near to the
hands toward the dense wall 0 vege- “It was that had luck Biliiken!" Sil- 5;) neddmgga fun" ugh‘ The Wm“ onlookers as well as to the supine form
toixon which lay between the belt of verthorn said vehemently to the silence. idol pep‘. Hahn: hm, bmught “.83 the on the hre-blackened stones.
palms along the shore and the central “I told Ben Redd ngj" I “on; N33,” - Reading closed his eyes to the wicked
part of the island. A pair of ironiiks. hairy hands closed --But... 1-wading expasmlated .4‘ ma gleam of the murderous blade, altho he -
‘ silverthorn also rose. They saw the in on his throat. and he felthlmself being not know about mu The ,'M“., who half wished for its point in his heart.
foliage of a group of banana plnnts hurled backward with great force. Just mm“ “,3 god unmfmeg-. t would be better. at least. than the
shake, after which an almost naked before his head came into contact wi "Qua" die “soy-. ‘menu ted the flames.
flgure, carrying some bulky object a stone which lay on the ground at the 1935"‘ "gay R3; mnre.‘" D '- J
wrapped in a richly embroidered native,
cloth, came hurriedly tower then!
when closer. theysaw that their visitor
u-as bleeding from a deep. clenn-cut
wound extending from his right eye to
the comer of his
two adventurers hastened tomeet his muscular limbs. his head, and the fnaptifd "'9 U-" K“'“"-‘“‘13“-
him. Ile swayed as he approached. and
noting that his
skin was of A lighter shade or brown
than that of the Karinnndans. and that
door, however. he caught
glimpse of his antagonist.
The latter was A stalwart creature.
not a Karinundan. but a white man. His
only clothing was a tattered and sleeve-
less blouse and a clout of woven crass:
greater portion of his face were col!-
hair as black as ebony: his
eyes, too. were black. and as sharp as ll
pair of spears. ,
The strange man began to rarisack
nedding frowned angrily.
"How is it.>then. that you touch it?"
he asked, before he could catch his
tongue.
am the one ordained-cochlnillo!"
‘I am
andita Ugbar. the priest. of the
Temple of Nguh. It was I.‘ e con-
tinued proudly, “who first saw the Holy
Ngahz it came to me as I stood on the
shore of the sea. sitting
pure white and unaccompanied.’
in a boat of
- CHAPTER III.
SlL"ERTHORN SEEKS HIS FRIEND.
HERE seemed to be the glow of n ;
strong fire in little Silverthoi-n‘s eyes 1
when he first began to feel urn of
his senses. He turned over. and sud-
denly knew that the glow was but the
rays of the fast-declining sun. ‘shining
beneath the roof of palm tops from its‘
place on the distant horizon of the sea.
Thenvhe remembered. and sat u
i
t
p.
on earth was the guy with the
his features were far.n-lore intellectual the hut like one possessed, a me “J, H " "xvho
tinn those of the original inhabitants enraged when he failed to and the object M C‘ V "eat “wad “" "'e- 3“ nghk hairy limbs and face!‘ .,
nd of his search. for bad o ed the W 59"“ R"‘d‘““5 m Mn‘-‘Em he sound of his own voice brought
of the isla
d
observations were con-
Visayan into telling where he had left
The procession of almost naked sav-
'1'
it’ all back with great force-the Visa-
ed
firmed by t first words spoken by the idol; and naturally the Visayan had “g"3- “"’"‘“”5 5" “"59 ma‘ ‘he scabharda yon. the idol, the absence of in f ' d
the wounded nun. no fears that the image could be easily ff me" n"“”"9'5h“P9d “"9-'5 “"1 cleaver‘ Reddiug. the uncouth person vfhonegd
“l Pepe iilaiana, the Visayau. taken from the Americans. “‘ 3""“35 ‘‘'‘"'‘'d ‘me 3“‘7'“’’" 1”‘ attacked him from the rear. He rose.
senors." be asped in ure panish. The uncouth white man icked up ““e""3'- had “"" emerged ‘mm ‘M’ staggering, and wiped away a little
hrenthlng with difficulty because of his 1'tedding’s revolver and belt of cartridges “"3” W“ 13’ 1“ ‘"5 “""3“d5 “‘9"3'
great fatigue. "Keep this until I call
for it. And, senors. brcareful that the
Kariaundans do not see it!"
lie had pushed the bulky object into
with a cry of triumph. Afterward taking
little Sllverthorrrs weapon mn-
iiian also. heniho plunged into the
tropical maze that lay toward the cen-
the coast. The grounrfhere had an up-
w trend. and was covered with a
thick growth of grasses: here and there
stood a solitary cocoanut palm or an ih-
He began to look about him. lie saw
that l':edding's revolver and cartridge
belt was gone. as werq rideed. '5
..-
own. And, he reasoned. the man who
the big American’: hands while speak- ter of the island. , la“-">"‘m3“gv “"3 ‘WW 5" “"3" 179d‘ had taken them undoubtedly knew, of
lug. Then. with a frightened. glance - “"5 53"’ 5‘3‘’’“‘‘’ ’‘‘‘’‘3C“5 “"“""’ the use of Erearms So they had another .1
he staggered to his right . CIIAPTER IL 1931“ E ‘'1 503‘? “(H9 90959 0W5“ enemy here on this at-cursed island 06
tvchind him. .
, zvn-i into the thick tangle, which seemed THE
to swallow him ll)’. And
rvost Della-rt
American image called Blliiken. sitting
its hands lying close to its this s.
Rerlding then called attention to
small round spot of bright scarlet o
the fizure‘s hen-1. which appeared to
have been painted there.
““'eiL what have you got to sayabout
ilvat'."‘ he askc . v
Little Silverthorn backed away.
a
u
‘ ha
9 faces lined with ,
scars which failed of their purpose in minor notes. paeons of praise to their and knees to avoid being teen by the
as it did with its thickiezs outstretched. D “ ""' mad‘ "” ""“'“"'“"" hid“ ""“" " '5 ’""'“3"'9 m ““"9- "0' """’"‘ "“‘ ‘"“’d"‘“ "' "“‘ "“““““’“"“ 2
BEN REDDING. being very drowsy be-
cause of a series of almost sleepless
nights-the latter due to mosquitoes and
d ants-had hardly touched the wall of
nlpa with his head before he was soundly interested. when-his bearers reached 1
slumbering. He began to dream. lie
Y dreamed that he was being raped hand
and foot on the deck of the Estrella by which lay ahead: he saw, in the midst nlzjlfzll.
o ad
order of the Taxal skipper: the rope
began to pinch painfully. and Just as the
native sailor: were c act of throw-
ing him over to-it.-33151555
black waters. he “V033
in "' ‘ ,
Intel!‘-lit.‘ years as ,1
Orient hm] -taught
saw man)" dark
ornamental ;sca.rs-
-.-..
diet in the
He noted that more
of eyes were blazin upon him
with a fanatical and insensate xrratlm
me he
JUDGMENT OF THE HOLY NGAIL;
I himself with th'v.’..$-‘Troupe
0
1‘,
sionaliy they psssedalow; round bunga-
low, extremely primitive, in the doors of:
stood women and children agape
with wonderment.
Reading had not been able to see far in
advance of the party, and e was much
crest of A low hill and began
I12 could now obtain :1. vie
of A v leg 1. mile across. 2: village
huts clustering about a circular space
Walled in by‘ a bamhm. CCnI"'-‘"" ' . .
tpnfah .0 ..-r-;; ‘mar 'nuge. round-
hut-tie Temple of Ngnb. no
As the pandita and his men walked
dusky inhabitants began to pour from
their ‘houses. all of them chanting in
them their god. the Holy Ngah.
Shortly after entering the village Ben
Karinunda-and, Silverthorn believed.
one who was very powerful. 4
But to stand there idle and wait. for
t e return of eddim; was a thing lit-
tie silver-thorn could not do: besides.
Redding was 3 friend. and h '
n in dire need of ass!
And. Silvei-thorn
was going to
heuaunlh-A .0",
In take ohserrxr,-‘.‘,o:is of the 1
..,".gpy, and also to lay-plans:
ctiun when night had fallen.
Fortunately. he knew of the path that
led thru the Sungle, and soon he ‘was
stealtbily following the procession that -
had by that time already reached the
I; I
.
E
(Eff!!!
s
him.to do thru the outskirts of the village, the temple.
When he had entered the grasses of ‘
the higher ground he went on his hands
to escape the eyes of those who
realized that Redding was borne thru the gate to the been out to gather cocoanuts and young
his dream of being helplessly bound had etockade. and thence to the door of the "Iamb00 EH00” N? “'03-
not been without its foun a on. For
he was roped hand and foot as tightly
no he had dream !
room; the other Karlnundahe. a head
A
I‘ taller than any of them. stood a hgure
of some dark stuti, per- stood in the fear of we room and which unseen before darknea
wearin K a robe
great hut of bamboo-and nipa. the root of
which was of thatched grasses.
“'ith many
the Pandita Uzbar set the idol in place
upon 1 square pedestal of stone. which
ures cut from mot er-of-pearl Red-
strange-aau ndi rig words. 1“
In a thick patch of grassesonthe brow
of t
to await the passing of twilight; for it
was not possible to enter the village
had settled
Tvith fast-beating heart he saw
the Karinundans crowding about the ‘
bright-red slaves. in the latter being ding noted that behind this pedestal K“? $0 "'9 ‘“d“5“"c "ml YPMN1 in the
"‘ " " V" i d h :1 n t‘ a n k w
‘trike ya" "ml the V-“ayan was mg. the forms of fishes. of birds. of serpents. there was an artificial pool of water. in hhzhv w0‘:‘9“:’ ‘P9.’ “ - .1“ ‘-’ "f !
,,u,,sue,,” He was‘ of com”. which W‘; Ills arms were folded over his chest. which floatedasmall boat of pure white. gnfgl me3capue“e0n1eCd%mt::-> their (019195
and be had about him an air of great
The captive was carried and binned
- . . authority. Bedding at once decided that upon a low altar of blackened stones A5 dusk drew an. there came to Sil-
';,‘”,b‘?g h;:’:.;,mE‘3‘.‘e! :;,:k"g,‘:,:eh;",';‘:;'g be was a chief of some sort. who had before the grinning idol that had re- Verlh0rn‘l quick cars a succession of
've'go: there a wide berth." W""“-‘M496 that his lmderlings make minded both himselfandlittieSilverthorn dragging sounds from the rear, as or
reared by
the capture they had just made.
o American Billikens. The Kar-
some one crawling thru the grasses.
.. ,. ow. nodding‘: mind ran on hopefully, i d n th drew l'teri<ling’s hands The little American. crauchinszlaw, crept
:;‘”,’;,‘f',d,‘:‘.',,‘:,:‘,n;’,?'c"‘.,';,s '?;"::u,f,"‘:ef;‘j‘,-‘lg: if only little Kid Silvertiiorn would ap- a,hIor:Iea hsis heezd and bound them to :1 out of the path of the thing that was
' pear the scene with his revolver! stake that had been driven into the approaching him.
by his talk.”
nodding turned toward the hut, walk-
ing slowly and thoughtfullyaionz under
the spreading palms. Silverthorn fol-
lowed half-sulkily.
After further examination and com-
merit. the idol was hidden under a pile
of nipa in one corner of the little habi-
tation, and Ileddine: sat down beside it.
Then he reached for the bamboo Joint
which served as a vessel for holding
.the water they drank: it W'hS dr
Little Silverthorn noted it, and ad-
or a revolver was worth more than
many krises and harongs,
Seeing that the American was beyond
harming them-which indicated that the
Karinundans feared the white
measure-the one in authority gave an
order in the worst class of savage jar-
earth at that end of the nltarrhls feet
likewise were fastened to a stake that
stood at the other end oi the
blackened stones. Redding understood
men in a and pzrosnesl: for he knew they intended ley.
to offer him up as a burnt sacrifice!
But he had been in many tlzht places.
the passing or another minute a
stalwart form went to its knees at the-
wsiting, and peered over into the val-
e little American recognized
Ron Reading had ever heard; and Red- and had always come out safely: and ground unconsclaus and then taken his
ding, altho he had memorized 9. little of
the principal dialects of the Philippines,
recognized not one iota oi’ this outland-
ish tongue of Karlnunda.
The underlings. after making signs of
this thought furnished a measure of
consolation, Besides, he told himself.
there was little Kid Silverthorn with at
least one revolver-and perhaps we.
There was a series of fanatical rites
revolver and Reddlnrs!
Siiverthorn lay as silent as the twink.
ling stars above him, thlnkiniz hard. He
k w he needed weapons: he thought of
stealing upon the dark figure from be.
vnnccd for the empty receD1M19. clalm- obeisance to their leader, crowded about before the idol. which were brought to hind, springing upon him. and trying to
lng that it was his turn to so to the
rprlm-:. Bedding, like the good fellow
Reddlng and lifted him up
arms.
their an and only when darkness came. Then recover the revolvers. I
Then, with the tall man in the lamps of seashell, burning cocoanut-oil the difference in their sites. it was too
But, considering
he was. disputed it: but Sllverthorn car- dark robe carrying the white idol rever- with nicks of tree cotton. were lighted desperate a chance for even him to take.
tied his point and set out. entiy and walking a few feet in ad- here and there. Following this, bundles This person. he ruminated. was nodoubt
Redding sat back down. threw his re- Vance. they proceeded to the jungle and of dry. resinous wood were brought and a madman. The life of Ben lteddinz, he
volver and belt, aside, leaned against started thru it by the same path by placed beside the intended victim, Red- reasoned, might depend upon him; there- -
the wall of the hut. and composed him.
which the wounded ‘fisayan
had up- ding strumzled with all his might, but fore he must
choose no course un-
self for an afternoon nap. in this, as preached the hut shortly before. i an . wisely-
events proved. he w s somewhat incau- strange procession. truly. and one The Panrllta Ugbar repaired to on When darkness had settled down
tious. for Siiverthorn woul be zone that was altogether silent until the anteroom for the purpose of donning a thickly, the rim of the moon appeared
‘half an hour, owing to the fact that the captive decided to try the effect of a few black robe. the robe he were when there.on the horizon. 8 UHHK that caused Sil-
,aprlng lay more than half nmile around
the cons
The little American strolled slowly
Spanish words upon them.
"lvhere are you taking me?"
Most of the Knrinundans paid no at-
was in sac ce. v
All was silent for in few minutes. lied-
dlng hoped with a great hope for the
unborn’: brown to knit with displeas-
ure. Once more he knew that anything
he did would have to be done quickly,
