We have
promised to have a new fish made of solid gold to replace the gilded
wooden one, if he counsels us well and has a care over us while on the
way. The priest is now in his cell burning incense before the God, and
when the moon reaches that constellation in the middle of the heavens,
he will tell us the God's answer."
The moon had almost reached the place designated. Lihoa and his
followers with the rest of the men seated themselves on the mossy rocks
before the sanctuary, to await the answer of the spirit. The nearer
the time came the quieter they were; until at last they scarcely dared
breathe. The rim of the moon touched the constellation: no sound was
heard in the cave. Softly the silver beams of light fell upon the bare
rocks and cast over the "waters of the sea a shimmering bridge that
stretched from the foot of the hill away into the darkness.
"Will the spirit not answer?" whispered Lihoa impatiently.
"Wait. The moon is not yet in the middle of the constellation,"
answered Lohe. Hardly had he uttered these words when from the cell
came the sound of a gong, then a song in a high nasal tone, which was
plainly heard, but being in a strange language was not understood by
any of the listeners.
Pages:
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47