ctions; but I'm going to try
once more."

Skag nodded.

Touching the wise man's foot with reverence and speaking in the form of
utmost respect, Cadman asked:

"Is it well that we go in? We search for one who sings as the
super-human sing; we search for the sake of sick hearts--her heart and
others. Is it well?"

The eyes that lifted were not abstract; they were very deep and keen.
Both the Americans felt winnowed before he spoke again.

"Ignorance is not good, but innocence is the supreme defence. If it is
the will of the beneficent gods that you find the unmothered woman of
great beauty in time, then it shall be so. But be patient. Move slowly
through the little peoples, forgetting your search--I say forgetting your
search, as you go. Be kind; haste will not delay the sacrifice--kindness
may. The way lies before you. Peace."

Cadman rose at once. They had been dismissed with a benediction; nothing
further could be obtained. Otherwise Skag would have been a
question-mark before that poor old man till morning.

"But he knows!"

The words seemed wrung out of Skag, as they sat apart.

"He does; there's no gamble about that. But if we challenge him, the
chances are--he'll revoke that benediction!" Cadman speculated
whimsically. "Then we'll have all the people against us--which is to
say, every prospect of success would go glimmering. No, there's nothing
for it but to go ahead, as fast as we can--slowly."

"But what do you suppose he meant by 'forgetting'?" Skag asked. "That we
mustn't let the natives know we're looking for her?"

"I believe you've got it!" Cadman assented.

"Then I've forgotten!" Skag said with decision.

"I will have forgotten, by morning," Cadman answered.

They were on their way as soon as it was light enough to see their
compass. They slept at two villages; and early the third day came out of
sketchy mountains into full view of the great Grass Jungle itself. In
long low waves, it billowed away from them to the dim rugged line of
Vindha against the sky. It looked like massed plumes of feathers--all
golden-green.

That day they walked down toward it with few words. To Skag it was
perfectly natural enchantment--veiling the mystery of Dhoop Ki Dhil. He
never thought of it as a death-trap for himself.

Under the late afternoon sun, the rolling waves of golden-green took on
an aspect of measureless distance; clean reaches, absolutely unbroken by
anything save their own