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Updated: June 26, 2025
It was when I turned back, loathing the sight yet unable to resist facing it, that I beheld for the first time those I sought Eloise, De Noyan, and the Queen Naladi. An instant I blinded my eyes with uplifted arm, half believing that the horror had turned my brain, that all this was vision.
At times I stood in a cave thronged with jeering devils, some with the savage countenance of the heathen, some yet more satanic; yet ever in the midst of their maddest orgies, the cruel mockery of the infamous Naladi appeared more hellish than that of the rest. She leered down upon me from every side until I seemed to stare into a thousand faces, each wearing her hateful, sardonic smile.
I can hate as well as love; strike as well as caress. So you played with me, Monsieur? used me to pass a dull hour in the wilderness? Sacre! 't is now my chance to sport with you. You forget who I am I, Naladi, Daughter of the Sun, Queen of the Natchez. Look down! there are hands waiting to rend at my word. I will give them the girl-face for their blood-lust. Seek to stop me if you dare!"
I stared at her coldly. "As you please, Madame la reine Naladi, Daughter of the Sun, formerly woman of ah! so you do not care for me to speak that accursed word? Well, I thought you might not, so I spare you the shame. 'T is nothing to me your past, yet I would have you remember there is a people we both know to whom your miserable horde of savages would be but a mouthful.
He endeavored to speak, to protest, but all his recklessness had deserted him and he trembled like a leaf. Already the gesticulating priests, thinking themselves cheated of their victims, were half way up the rude steps of stone; behind them surged the mob, screaming "Français," their torches waving madly. Naladi laughed. "So your nerve fails, Monsieur," she sneered coldly.
She paused as if seeking to mark the effect of her words, but the père merely stooped slightly, whispering some message of comfort into the ear of Eloise. Then he stood erect again. "As you will, woman; to die for Christ is gain." The face of Naladi, which had been pale and drawn, flushed, her eyes fairly blazing. "So you dare mock me, you hireling priest!" she hissed.
I questioned anxiously. "You said but now this house was held under heavy guard." "I spoke truly. I may not step forth into the air but some savage is at my side driving me back again. Oftentimes they peer within when the Queen is absent, to assure themselves that I am safely caged." "And this Naladi does she treat you well?" The swift color mounted into her clear cheeks.
"Yes," at last slowly, as if she had weighed the problem with care. "I will pledge you my utmost help to that end." "There is one thing more, Queen Naladi," I contended earnestly. "It is that Madame de Noyan be permitted meanwhile to abide with her husband." The fair face darkened ominously.
"In that large hut upon the second mound." "You spoke as if Madame de Noyan were beneath the same roof, yet you saw her not. Does the hut differ from this in being divided into rooms?" "A partition runs through it from roof to floor. Naladi holds court in the south room, which is decorated most lavishly with things of beauty." "Then Madame occupies the northern portion?"
"Ay, I mentioned it; but la reine Naladi appeared not overly well pleased with the suggestion, so I concluded not to press the matter unduly. One never gains by being ungallant at such a time. Besides, there is no doubt Eloise is well attended; the Queen referred to her most kindly."
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