a
blessing and to depart again. Therefore hasten to do our bidding, and do
it all. For this time farewell, my servants."

Having spoken thus with much dignity, accompanied by Otter, whose hand
she held as before, Juanna withdrew herself, stepping backwards very
slowly towards the circle of rocks, and singing as she went.

CHAPTER XXI

THE FOLLY OF OTTER

Juanna and Otter gained the circle of rocks where the little band lay
watching and wonder-struck; that is, all except Soa, who sat apart
brooding, her arms clasped upon her breast. Things had befallen as
she expected, as they must befall indeed, provided that Juanna did not
forget her lesson or show fear, and that the dwarf did nothing foolish.
But Soa knew well enough that this was but the beginning of the
struggle, and that, though it might be comparatively easy for Juanna
and Otter to enter the city, and impose themselves upon its
superstition-haunted people as the incarnations of their fabled gods,
the maintenance of the imposture was a very different matter. Moreover,
she knew, should they be discovered, that escape would be impossible, or
at the best, that it must be most difficult. Therefore she sat apart and
brooded, for, notwithstanding their present triumph, her heart foreboded
evil.

But with the others it was different: they had heard the singing, they
had seen the regiment of great men prostrate themselves, and the sound
of worshipping had come to their ears like thunder; but of the why and
wherefore of it all they could only guess.

"What has happened?" said Leonard eagerly; "your initiation seems to
have come off well."

"Bid the men fall back and I will tell you," Juanna answered.

Leonard did so, but instead of speaking she broke into hysterical
laughter. Her nerves had been over-strained, and now they sought relief
thus.

"You must all be very respectful to Otter and myself," she said at
length, "for we really are gods--don't look shocked, Francisco, I begin
to believe in it myself. We have only just found it out, but I assure
you it is a fact; they accepted us fully, and that after not more than
five minutes' cross-examination. Listen!" And she told them all that had
passed.

While she was speaking the regiment began to move, no longer in a
square, but in a formation of companies. Company by company it rushed
past them, shaking the earth with its footsteps, and as each section
went by it tossed its spears into the air as a salute, c