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." Daiv smiled at her dubiously. "That I am prepared to do, Golden One. I can't help wondering, though, how they will accept me. After what you've told me about the Men of your tribe--" He shook his head. Meg made a happy-sound deep in her throat; slipped from Nessa's back and covered Daiv's lips with her hands. "There is nothing to fear, Daiv. The Men of my Clan--_pah!_--they are not like you. They are weak things, meant only for breeding. The Mother will know, the moment she sees you, that you are one like the Gods. She too made the pilgrimage. She will rejoice and be glad. And--" Meg moved closer into the circle of his arms. "She will be gladder still when she sees our happiness." "I hope so," said Daiv soberly. His lips met hers in the touching-of-mouths that he had taught her. Then, "But it is too late for us to finish our journey today," he said. "We must find a place to make camp."