CHAPTER XXV

THE SACRIFICE AFTER THE NEW ORDER

The third day came, the day of sacrifice after the new order. Nothing
particular had happened in the interval: Leonard and Francisco took some
walks through the city, guarded by Peter and the Settlement men; that
was all.

They did not see much there, except the exteriors of the houses built of
stone and roofed with turves, and the cold stare of curiosity with which
they were followed by hundreds of eyes gave them a sense of unrest that
effectually checked their efforts at closer examination. Once indeed
they halted in the market-place, which was thronged; whereon all
business ceased, and seller, buyer, herdsmen, and presiding priests
flocked around staring at them, half in fear and half in curiosity, for
they had never seen white men before. This they could not bear, so they
returned to the palace.

Of course Otter and Juanna, being divine, were not allowed to indulge in
such recreations. They were gods and must live up to their reputation.
For one day Otter endured it; on the second, in spite of Leonard's
warnings, he sought refuge in the society of the bridge Saga. This
was the beginning of evil, for if no man is a hero to his _valet de
chambre_, much less can he remain a god for long in the eyes of a
curious woman. Here, as in other matters, familiarity breeds contempt.

Leonard saw these dangers and spoke seriously to the dwarf on the
subject. Still he could not conceal from himself that, putting aside the