A Strange Manuscript Found in a Copper Cylinder James De Mille
A Strange Manuscript Found in a Copper Cylinder James De Mille
A Strange Manuscript Found in a Copper Cylinder James De Mille
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84<br />
they never ceased to s<strong>in</strong>g, while the paupers below jo<strong>in</strong>ed <strong>in</strong> the<br />
stra<strong>in</strong>.<br />
And now the sun was almost hidden, and there was only the fa<strong>in</strong>test<br />
l<strong>in</strong>e from the upper edge of his disk perceptible over the icy<br />
mounta<strong>in</strong>-tops. The light was a softened twilight glow. It was to be<br />
the last sight of the sun for six months, and this was the spectacle<br />
upon which he threw his part<strong>in</strong>g beam. So the sun passed away, and then<br />
there came the beg<strong>in</strong>n<strong>in</strong>g of the long dark season. At first, however,<br />
there was rather twilight than darkness, and this twilight cont<strong>in</strong>ued<br />
long. All this only served to heighten the effect of this strik<strong>in</strong>g<br />
scene; and as the light faded away, I looked with <strong>in</strong>creas<strong>in</strong>g curiosity<br />
upon the group at the top of the pyramid. Almah was silent. I half<br />
turned, and said someth<strong>in</strong>g to her about the beauty of the view. She<br />
said noth<strong>in</strong>g, but looked at me with such an expression that I was<br />
filled with amazement. I saw <strong>in</strong> her face someth<strong>in</strong>g like a dreadful<br />
anticipation--someth<strong>in</strong>g that spoke of com<strong>in</strong>g evil. The feel<strong>in</strong>g was<br />
communicated to me, and I turned my eyes back to the group on the<br />
pyramid with vague fears <strong>in</strong> my soul.<br />
Those fears were but too well founded, for now the dread ceremony<br />
began. The Kohen drew his knife, and placed himself at the head of the<br />
stone table. One of the youths came forward, stepped upon it, and lay<br />
down on his back with his head toward the Kohen. The mournful chant<br />
still went on. Then the Kohen raised his knife and plunged it <strong>in</strong>to the<br />
heart of the youth. I sat for a moment rooted to the spot; then a<br />
groan burst from me <strong>in</strong> spite of myself. Almah caught my hands <strong>in</strong> hers,<br />
which were as cold as ice.<br />
"Be firm," she said, "or we are both lost. Be firm, Atam-or!"<br />
"I must go," said I, and I tried to rise.<br />
"Don't move," she said, "for your life! We are lost if you move. Keep<br />
still--restra<strong>in</strong> yourself--shut your eyes."<br />
I tried to do so, but could not. There was a horrible fasc<strong>in</strong>ation<br />
about the scene which forced me to look and see all. The Kohen took<br />
the victim, and draw<strong>in</strong>g it from the altar, threw it over the precipice<br />
to the ground beneath. Then a loud shout burst forth from the great<br />
crowd. "Sibgu Sibg<strong>in</strong>! Ranenu! Hodu lecosck!" which means, "Sacrifice