and which I, being the daughter of the high-priest, learned, with many
another secret, before I was doomed to be a bride to the Snake and fled,
fearing my doom. Now come apart with me, Shepherdess, and you, Black
One, come also, that I may teach you your lesson of what you shall do
when we meet the squadrons of the People of the Mist."

Juanna rose to obey her, followed by Otter, grumbling, for he hated
the old woman as much as she hated him, and, moreover, he did not take
kindly to this notion of masquerading as a god, or, indeed, to the
prospect of a lengthened sojourn amongst his adoring, but from all
accounts somewhat truculent, worshippers. Before they went, however,
Leonard spoke.

"I have heard you, Soa," he said, "and I do not like your words, for
they show me that your heart is fierce and evil. Yes, though you love
the Shepherdess, your heart is evil. Now hear me. Should you dare to
play us false, whatever may befall us, be sure of this, that moment you
die. Go!"

"Spare your threats, Deliverer," answered Soa haughtily. "I shall not
betray you, because to do so would be to betray the Shepherdess. But are
you then a fool that you think I should fear death at your hands, who
to-morrow with a word could give you all to torment? Pray, Deliverer,
that the hour may not be near when you shall rejoice to die by the
bullet with which you threaten me, so that you may escape worse things."
And she turned and went.

"I am not nervous," said Leonard to Francisco, "but that she-devil
frightens me. If it were not for Juanna, she would cause us to be
murdered on the first possible opportunity, and if only she can secure