"We must wait for them until they come near," answered Juanna, "then
Otter and I are to meet them alone, and I will sing the song which
Soa has taught me. Do not be afraid, I have learned my lesson, and, if
things go right, they will think that we are their lost gods; or, at
least, so Soa says."

"Yes, _if_ things go right. But if they don't?"

"Then good-bye," answered Juanna, with a shrug of her shoulders. "At any
rate, I must get ready for the experiment. Come, Soa, bring the bundle
to those rocks over there--quick! Stop a minute--I forgot, Mr. Outram,
you must lend me that ruby. I have to make use of it."

Leonard handed over the ruby, reflecting that he would probably never
see it again, since it seemed almost certain that one of the Great
People would steal it. However, at the moment he was thinking of that
which was far above rubies, namely, of what chance they had of escaping
with their lives.

So soon as she had possession of the stone, Juanna ran to a little ring
of boulders that were scattered on the plain about fifty paces from
them, followed by Soa, who carried a bundle in her hand.

Ten minutes passed, and Soa appeared from behind the shelter of the
stones and beckoned to them. Advancing in obedience to her summons,
they saw a curious sight. Standing in the ring of rocks was Juanna,
but Juanna transformed. She wore a white robe cut low upon the neck and
shoulders; indeed, it was the Arab dress in which she had escaped from
the slave camp, that Soa had brought with them in preparation for this