. Wandering heroes. ned mysteriously fromthe soft sand, slipped downward, and gently fellagainst his right hand. The sign ! he whispered, picking it up in fear. Behold, I must take this dagger to the chieftainAttila! Quickly he ate his simple supper of dates, and ledhis flock of sheep to the fold. Binding his holidaysash about his waist, he picked up the dagger, andswiftly threading the little sheep paths, he randown to a shallow place in the river, and pickedhis way across to the opposite plain. As he woundhis way in among the tents, coarse shouts, hideouslaughter, and low cries met his ear.
. Wandering heroes. ned mysteriously fromthe soft sand, slipped downward, and gently fellagainst his right hand. The sign ! he whispered, picking it up in fear. Behold, I must take this dagger to the chieftainAttila! Quickly he ate his simple supper of dates, and ledhis flock of sheep to the fold. Binding his holidaysash about his waist, he picked up the dagger, andswiftly threading the little sheep paths, he randown to a shallow place in the river, and pickedhis way across to the opposite plain. As he woundhis way in among the tents, coarse shouts, hideouslaughter, and low cries met his ear. Grasping hisdagger closer, he hurried forward. At length he reached the great tent of Attila,the chief. The sides were hung with curiousstriped draperies stiff with gold thread, plundered,no doubt, from Persia. Above the entrance-waythere swung a lamp beautifully jeweled, and givingforth a dim yellowish light, while it shed abroadat the same time a heavy rich perfume. Standing directly beneath this lamp a figure met. A Strange Figure met Demoss Glance. THE DWARF OF ATTILA THE HUN. 139 Demoss glance, so strange and horrible that thelad had all he could dotto suppress a cry of horror,believing as he did that he looked upon some impstraight from the infernal regions. The creaturewas very small, with a twisted, misshapen body andenormous flat feet. His head was as large as hisbody was small, and his features were very the eyes, keen, clear, and gray, with theirdirect, straightforward glance, gave him a claim tobe considered human. These eyes, wonderful intheir intelligence, were now intently fixed uponDemos. The dwarf wore a robe of heavily embroideredsilk, covered with rows of silver bells which tinkledat his every movement with a charming musicalchime. This tinkling sound was very soft, andnot at all disturbing. Demos, trying to find aword to say, stared hard at this little figure andcontinued to clutch his rusty dagger. The dwarf,perceiving his fright, stepped forward,
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1900, booksubjectheroes, bookyear1902
