d probably never
see it again, since it seemed almost certain that one of the Great
People would steal it. However, at the moment he was thinking of that
which was far above rubies, namely, of what chance they had of escaping
with their lives.

So soon as she had possession of the stone, Juanna ran to a little ring
of boulders that were scattered on the plain about fifty paces from
them, followed by Soa, who carried a bundle in her hand.

Ten minutes passed, and Soa appeared from behind the shelter of the
stones and beckoned to them. Advancing in obedience to her summons,
they saw a curious sight. Standing in the ring of rocks was Juanna,
but Juanna transformed. She wore a white robe cut low upon the neck and
shoulders; indeed, it was the Arab dress in which she had escaped from
the slave camp, that Soa had brought with them in preparation for this
moment of trial. Nor was this all; for Juanna had loosened her dark
hair--which was of great length and unusual beauty--so that it hung
about her almost to her knees, and upon her forehead, gleaming like a
red eye, was set the great ruby, ingeniously fastened thereto by Soa in
a band of linen pierced in its centre to the size of the stone.

"Behold the goddess and do homage," said Juanna with mock solemnity,
although Leonard could see that she was trembling with excitement.

"I do not quite understand what you are going to do, but you look the
part well," he answered shortly. And, indeed, until that moment he had
never known how beautiful she was.

Juanna blushed a little at the evident admiration in his eyes; then,
turning to the dwarf, she said:

"Now, Otter, you must make ready too. And remember what Soa told you.
Whatever you see or hear, you are not to open your mouth. Walk side by
side with me and do as I do, that is all."

Otter grunted in assent, and proceeded to "make ready." The process was
simple, consisting only in the shedding of his coat and trousers--an old
pair of Leonard's, very much cut down--which left him naked, except for
a _moocha_ that he wore beneath them in accordance with native custom.

"What does all this mean?" asked the headman Peter, who, like his
companions, was trembling with fear.

"It means," said Juanna, "that Otter and I are impersonating the gods of
this people, Peter. If they receive us as gods, it is well; if not, we
are doomed. Be careful, should we be so received, lest any of you betray
the trick. Be wise and silent, I say,