"I am sorry that you have been left alone," said Leonard, "but you must
try to make better arrangements. Soa might sleep with you, at any rate.
Where is Otter? Let us pay him a visit; I want to see how the god is
getting on."

Juanna went to the door and addressed the priests, saying that she
desired to be led before the Snake, and her servants with her. They
demurred a little, then gave way, and all four of them were conducted,
first into the courtyard, in which no human being was to be seen, and
thence to an adjoining chamber, where a curious sight awaited them. In a
huge chair set upon a dais sat Otter, looking furious and by no means at
ease; while stretched upon the ground in front of him lay four priests,
who muttered prayers unceasingly.

"Welcome, Baas!" he cried in rapture at the sight of Leonard. "Welcome,
Shepherdess!"

"You idiot!" answered Leonard in Dutch, but speaking in the most humble
voice, and sinking to his knees. "If you will not remember that you are
a god, I will pay you out so soon as we are alone. Bid these fellows
begone; the Shepherdess will translate for you."

"Go, dogs!" said Otter, taking the hint; "go, and bring me food. I would
speak with my servant, who is named Baas, and with my mother."

"These are the words of the Snake that he speaks in the holy tongue,"
said Juanna, and she translated them.

The four priests rose, and bowing to the earth, crept backwards from the
room. So soon as they were gone, Otter leaped from his throne with an