of the situation, implored her not to venture herself alone among those
horrible savages.

"Go if you like, Juanna," said Leonard, not heeding the priest's
importunities. "If anything happens I will try to avenge you before I
follow. Go, but forgive me."

"What have I to forgive?" she said, looking at him with shining eyes.
"Did you not once dare a greater danger for me?"

"Yes, go, Shepherdess," said Soa, who till now had been staring with all
her eyes at the three aged men in the centre of the square; "there is
little to fear, if this fool of a dwarf will but keep his tongue silent.
I know my people, and I tell you that if you sing that song, and say
the words which I have taught you, you and the black one here shall be
proclaimed gods of the land. But be swift, for the soldiers are about to
shoot."

As Soa spoke, Leonard saw that the conference in the square had come to
an end. The messengers were calling commands to the captains, which the
captains repeated to the soldiers, and then followed a mighty rattling
of quivers. Another instant and the light shone upon many hundreds of
arrow-heads, every one of which was pointed towards them.

Juanna saw also, and springing forward on to a rock, stood there for a
moment in the full glare of the sun. Instantly a murmur went up from the
host; a great voice called a command; the barbs of steel flickered like
innumerable stars, and sank downwards.

Now Otter, naked except for his _moocha_, sprang on to the rock by