as the stone altar, although, owing to the slope of
the bowed head, he who stood upon it almost overhung the waters of the
well.

Otter and Francisco seated themselves on the stools, and behind them Nam
and three other priests took their stand, Nam placing himself in such
a position that his companions could not see anything of Francisco's
slight form, which they believed to be that of the Shepherdess.

"Hold me, Otter," whispered Francisco. "My senses will leave me, and I
shall fall."

"Shut your eyes and lean back, then you will see nothing," answered
Otter. "Moreover, make ready your medicine, for the time is at hand."

"It is ready," he answered. "May I be forgiven the sin, for I cannot
bear to be hurled living to the Snake!"

Otter made no answer, but set himself to watch the scene beneath him.
The temple was filled with mist that from the great height looked like
smoke, and through this veil he could just distinguish the black and
moving mass of the vast assembly, who had sat the long night through
waiting to witness the consummation of the tragedy, while the sound of
their voices as they spoke together in hushed tones reached him like
that of the murmuring of distant waters. Behind him stood the four
priests or executioners in a solemn, silent line, their eyes fixed
upon the grey mist, while above them, around them, and beneath them was
nothing but sheer and giddy space.

It was a hideous position, heightened by every terror that man and
nature can command, and even the intrepid dwarf, who feared neither
death nor devil, and over whom religious doubts had no power, began to
feel its chilling influence grip his heart. As for Francisco, such
mind as he had left to him was taken up with fervent prayer, so it is
possible that he did not suffer so much as might have been expected.

Five minutes or more passed thus; then a voice spoke from the mist
below, saying:

"Are those who are named Aca and Jal on high, O priest?"

"They are on high," answered Nam.

"Is it the hour of dawn, O priest?" said the voice again, and this time
Otter knew it for that of the spokesman of the elders.

"Not yet awhile," answered Nam, and he glanced at the snow peak that
towered thousands of feet into the air behind and above the temple.

Indeed every eye in that assembly was staring at this peak, although its
gigantic outline could only be seen dimly through the mist, dimly as
the shape of a corpse buried in a winding-sheet of