Adventure stories; Fantasy fiction; Tarzan (Fictitious character) -- Fiction
He then turned his attention once more to the wooden box, upon the
top of which, in addition to the seven binding posts, was a circular
instrument consisting of a dial about the periphery of which were a
series of hieroglyphics. From the center of this dial projected seven
tubular, concentric shafts, each of which supported a needle, which was
shaped or painted in some distinguishing manner, while beneath the dial
seven small metal discs were set in the cover of the box so that they
lay in the arc of a circle from the center of which a revolving metal
shaft was so arranged that its free end might be moved to any one of
the seven metal discs at the will of the operator.
The connections having all been made, Zoanthrohago moved the free end
of the shaft from one of the metal discs to another, keeping his eyes
at all times intently upon the dial, the seven needles of which moved
variously as he shifted the shaft from point to point.
Elkomoelhago was an intent, if somewhat bewildered, observer, and the
slave, Zuanthrol, unobserved, had moved nearer the table that he might
better watch this experiment which might mean so much to him.
Zoanthrohago continued to manipulate the revolving shaft and the
needles moved hither and thither from one series of hieroglyphics to
another, until at last the walmak appeared satisfied.
"It is not always easy," he said, "to attune the instrument to the
frequency of the organ upon which we are working. From all matter and
even from such incorporeal a thing as thought there emanate identical
particles, so infinitesimal as to be scarce noted by the most delicate
of my instruments. These particles constitute the basic structure of
all things whether animate or inanimate, corporeal or incorporeal. The
frequency, quantity and rhythm of the emanations determine the nature
of the substance. Having located upon this dial the coefficient of
the gland under discussion it now becomes necessary, in order to so
interfere with its proper functioning that the growth of the creature
involved will be not only stopped but actually reversed, that we
decrease the frequency, increase the quantity and compound the rhythm
of these emanations. This I shall now proceed to do," and he forthwith
manipulated several small buttons upon one side of the box, and
grasping the crankhandle of the free disc revolved it rapidly.
The result was instantaneous and startling. Before their eyes
Elkomoelhago, the king, and Zuanthrol, the slave, saw the rodent shrink
rapidly in size, while retaining its proportions unchanged. Tarzan, who
had followed every move and every word of the walmak, leaned far over
that he might impress indelibly upon his memory the position of the
seven needles. Elkomoelhago glanced up and discovered his interest.
"We do not need this fellow now," he said, addressing Zoanthrohago.
"Have him sent away."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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