the necessity
for haste. "If we could attain the tree-bridge, we might hold the
devils. See! the way is clear! What say you to the trial? Will you
bear the priest?"

His grip tightened about the war-club, as he half rose to his feet like
a maddened bear.

"Saints of Israel! yes," he growled, "the Jesuit is a man."

"Then come!"

With one leap I was upon the floor; almost at the same second he landed
beside me. Twice I struck savagely at some obstructing figure, and in
five strides was at the side of Eloise. One shrill cry of warning from
the lips of Naladi echoed through the chamber, and was answered by the
yell of the warriors. I was already clasping Eloise against my breast,
and speeding toward the opening. Not a savage stood between, and now,
all hope centred upon the desperate race, I dashed forward down the
rocky path, rendered hideous by the lightning. All the fires of hell
seemed swirling about us, writhing serpents of flame leaping from the
sky, while fierce crashes of thunder echoed from rock to rock. I
scarcely heard or saw. Below yawned the abyss, black with night; above
stretched solid, overhanging stone, painted by green and yellow flames.
I realized nothing except that ribbon of a path, the need of haste, the
white, upturned face in my arms. God! was ever such a race as that run
before? Did ever men dash headlong over such a path of death? No one
need ask how it was done; how speeding feet clung to the narrow rock.
I know not; I never knew. Twice I stumbled, sobbing in despair, yet
ran on like a madman. Under the glare of the lightning I leaped
downward where I had crept in climbing; protruding splinters of rock
tore my clothes, bruised my body; my forehead dripped with
perspiration, my breath came panting, yet I ran still, her form crushed
against my breast. I shudder now in the recollection; then I scarcely
knew. Ahead loomed black the tree-bridge; but I recall no shrinking
fear, only exultation, as I bore down recklessly upon it. It must be
crossed, upright, swiftly, with no thought of the yawning depth. If
death came we should go down together.

"Eloise, steady me with hand against the cliff," I panted, and stepped
forth boldly upon the trunk. My moccasoned feet gripped the rough bark
firmly, yet I swayed horribly under my burden, as I footed the
treacherous way. Again and again I felt myself swaying wildly, yet
some power held us, until, at last, I stood on solid rock, utte