nute we may all
be dead. Nonsense! I _will_ go! I know what to do and have made up my
mind to it. Do not fear for me. Remember that, if the worst comes to the
worst, I have the means to protect myself. You are not afraid to come,
are you, Otter?"

"No, Shepherdess," said the dwarf. "Here all roads are alike."

Leonard thought awhile. Bitterly did he reproach himself in that he had
been the cause of leading his ward into such a position. But now
there was no help for it--she must go. And after all it could make no
difference if she were killed or captured five minutes hence or half an
hour later. But Francisco, who could not take such a philosophical view
of the situation, implored her not to venture herself alone among those
horrible savages.

"Go if you like, Juanna," said Leonard, not heeding the priest's
importunities. "If anything happens I will try to avenge you before I
follow. Go, but forgive me."

"What have I to forgive?" she said, looking at him with shining eyes.
"Did you not once dare a greater danger for me?"

"Yes, go, Shepherdess," said Soa, who till now had been staring with all
her eyes at the three aged men in the centre of the square; "there is
little to fear, if this fool of a dwarf will but keep his tongue silent.
I know my people, and I tell you that if you sing that song, and say
the words which I have taught you, you and the black one here shall be
proclaimed gods of the land. But be swift, for the soldiers are about to
shoot."

As Soa spoke, Leonard saw that the conference in the square had come to
an end. The messengers were calling commands to the captains, which the
captains repeated to the soldiers, and then followed a mighty rattling
of quivers. Another instant and the light shone upon many hundreds of
arrow-heads, every one of which was pointed towards them.

Juanna saw also, and springing forward on to a rock, stood there for a
moment in the full glare of the sun. Instantly a murmur went up from the
host; a great voice called a command; the barbs of steel flickered like
innumerable stars, and sank downwards.

Now Otter, naked except for his _moocha_, sprang on to the rock by
Juanna's side, and the murmur of the soldiers of the Great People grew
into a hoarse roar of astonishment and dismay. Wonder had turned to
fear, though why this multitude of warriors should fear a lovely white
girl and a black dwarf was not apparent.

For a moment the ill-assorted pair stood together on the