[When the World Shook by H. Rider Haggard]@TWC D-Link bookWhen the World Shook CHAPTER VIII 20/25
Therefore the Bellower must be sacrificed." "What to ?" I asked.
"The image has gone and the piece of it that ascended fell not upon the Bellower, as would have happened if the god had been angry with him, but on one of its own priests, whom it killed. Therefore, having been sacrificed by the god itself, he it is that should be eaten, not the Bellower, who merely did what his Spirit bade him." This ingenious argument seemed to produce some effect upon Marama, but to the priests it did not at all appeal. "Eat them all!" these cried.
"They are the enemies of Oro and have worked sacrilege!" Moreover, to judge from their demeanour, the bulk of the people seemed to agree with them.
Things began to look very ugly.
The priests rushed forward, threatening us with their wooden weapons, and one of them even aimed a blow at Bickley, which only missed him by an inch or two. "Look here, my friend," called the doctor whose temper was rising, "you name me the Great Priest or Great Healer, do you not? Well, be careful, lest I should show you that I can kill as well as heal!" Not in the least intimidated by this threat the man, a great bedizened fellow who literally was foaming at the mouth with rage, rushed forward again, his club raised, apparently with the object of dashing out Bickley's brains. Suddenly Bickley lifted his revolver and fired.
<<Back Index Next>> D-Link book Top TWC mobile books
|