The Judging of the Priestess
By NELSON S. BOND
Out of future Mexico the Japcans came,
invading Jinnia. And Meg, the priestess,
faced dual judgment as she brought Daiv,
her man, back to the tribe.
In these latter years of the 35th Century, Mount Rushmore, with its colossal statues of Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt was known to the superstitious tribeswomen as "the Place of the Gods." From a pilgrimage to this holy spot (where she had met Daiv and learned the great secret that the Ancient Ones were Men) Meg was returning. ("The Priestess Who Rebelled," Amazing Stories, October, 1939.)—Ed.
[Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from
Fantastic Adventures April 1940.
Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that
the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.]
Behind them the sun sank lazily, a huge, lop-sided ball of fire too-bright-to-be-looked-at, and the gathering fingers of dusk stole softly through the trees, casting wan shadows where they touched. The air was thin and cold with the breath of approaching night; imps of darkness lurked in the tree-roots and hollows.
But Meg felt no fear. She was alive with warmth, light, happiness. The hills about her were soft-bosomed and gay with autumn's garments; no longer was the landscape salt and drear as it had been back there in the 'Kota territory, in the Place of the Gods. This was her homeland, her native Jinnia. Beyond that turn was a rill, a half day's march beyond the rill lay the village of her own tribeswomen....
From her seat astride Nessa, she looked down upon Daiv, her Man, and her voice was vibrant with happiness.
"We are almost there, Daiv! Soon you will meet my people, talk with them, learn to love them as I do."