"It shall not be celebrated," said Juanna, almost fiercely.

Then Leonard, who had hitherto listened in silence, asked a question
through Juanna. "How is it," he said, "that Nam and his fellows, being
already in absolute power, were so willing to accept the gods Jal and
Aca when they appeared in person, seeing that henceforth they must obey,
not rule?"

"For two reasons, lord," Olfan answered; "first, because the gods are
gods, and their servants know them; and secondly, because Nam has of
late stood in danger of losing his authority. Of all the chief priests
that have been told of, Nam is the most cruel and the most greedy. For
three years he has doubled the tale of sacrifices, and though the people
love these sights of death, they murmur, for none know upon whom the
knife shall fall. Therefore he was glad to greet the gods come back,
since he thought that they would confirm his power, and set him higher
than he sat before. Now he is astonished because they proclaim peace
and will have none of the sacrifice of men, for Nam does not love such
gentle gods."

"Yet he shall obey them," said Otter, speaking for the first time by the
mouth of Juanna, who all this while was acting as interpreter, "or drink
his own medicine, for I myself will sacrifice him to myself."

When Juanna had translated the dwarf's bloodthirsty threat, Olfan bowed
his head meekly and smiled; clearly the prospect of Nam's removal did
not cause him unmixed grief. It was curious to see this stately warrior
chief humbling his pride before the misshapen, knob-nosed Kaffir.