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I have already written that I was never easily affected by supernatural fears, yet sorim entrance chilled the very blood There was no cessation of theof the priests, as these newco with the silence of spectres, their bodies draped in shapeless robes of skin, appearing ghostlike beneath the uncertain flickering of fla the southern wall beneath the face of the flying dragon overhead, until they found seats on the hard floor between altar and platform; two or three, evidently superior chiefs, by their richer trappings, ascended the raised logs and solemnly squatted thereon, so as to face us Howfailed to count as they filed past, yet they co, upturned faces, and were probably all the available warriors of the tribe

This was accomplished in stealthy silence, as wild ani them take seats until the old war-chief--he who had led the assault in the gulch--esture, ere driven roughly forward by our guard, until permitted to sink down once more, directly in their front, within full focus of their cruel eyes

It was a fearful spot to be in That dark interior, dihted by fitful bursts of flame, seemed more the abode of the da to re over our desperate plight No one of us doubted what fate dwelt in the decision of that grewsoerness for revenge It was their speechless silence, their stolid imperturbability, which rested heaviest upon me It told plainly that ere helpless victims of their cruel pleasure Deliberately, as if desirous of prolonging the agony of our uncertainty, for e--they sat thus, unmoved as so many statues, except for their restless eyes, while the fourpriests, robed in black fro shadow of the huge winged dragon, pouring war it upon their faces Then, appearing fiendishly hideous, ghastlier than words can fitly picture, these revolting figures began ild chanting tobefore the fla some incense which polluted the air