The People of the Mist by H. Rider (Henry Rider) Haggard
page 245 of 519 (47%)
page 245 of 519 (47%)
![]() | ![]() |
|
had seen the regiment of great men prostrate themselves, and the sound
of worshipping had come to their ears like thunder; but of the why and wherefore of it all they could only guess. "What has happened?" said Leonard eagerly; "your initiation seems to have come off well." "Bid the men fall back and I will tell you," Juanna answered. Leonard did so, but instead of speaking she broke into hysterical laughter. Her nerves had been over-strained, and now they sought relief thus. "You must all be very respectful to Otter and myself," she said at length, "for we really are gods--don't look shocked, Francisco, I begin to believe in it myself. We have only just found it out, but I assure you it is a fact; they accepted us fully, and that after not more than five minutes' cross-examination. Listen!" And she told them all that had passed. While she was speaking the regiment began to move, no longer in a square, but in a formation of companies. Company by company it rushed past them, shaking the earth with its footsteps, and as each section went by it tossed its spears into the air as a salute, crying: "Glory to the Mother! glory to the Snake!" and fled on towards the city. At length the story was done and the regiment was gone. "Well," said Leonard, "so far so good. Juanna, you are the bravest and cleverest girl in the whole world. Most young women would have forgotten |
|