en for heaven's sake let us cross it," put in Juanna.

"I have seen that bridge," said Olfan, while the captains stared
wonderingly at the man whose might had prevailed against the ancient
Snake, "but never yet have I heard of the traveller who dared to set his
foot upon it."

"It is dangerous, but it can be crossed," replied Otter; "at the
least, it is better to try it than to stay here to be murdered by the
medicine-men."

"I think that we will go, Leonard," said Juanna; "if I am to die I wish
to do so in the open air. Only what is to become of Nam? And perhaps
Olfan and the captains would prefer to stop here?"

"Nam will go with us wherever we go," answered Leonard grimly; "we
have a long score to settle with that gentleman. As for Olfan and his
captains, they must please themselves."

"What will do you, Olfan?" asked Juanna, speaking to him for the first
time since the scene in the other prison.

"It seems, Queen," he answered, with downcast eyes, "that I have sworn
to defend you to the last, and this I will do the more readily because
now my life is of little value. As for my brethren here, I think, like
you, that they will choose to die in the open, rather than wait to be
murdered by the priests."

The three captains nodded an assent to his words. Then they all set to
work.

First they took food and drink, of which there was an ample supply in
the other cell, and hurriedly swallowing some of it, disposed the rest
about their persons as best they could, for they foresaw that even if
they succeeded in escaping, it was likely that they would go hungry for
many days. Then Leonard wrapped Juanna in a goat-skin cloak which he
took from one of the fallen priests, placing the second cloak over
his own shoulders, for he knew that it would be bitterly cold on the
mountains. Lastly, they tied Nam's arms behind him and deprived him of
his knife, so that the old man might work none of them a sudden injury
in his rage.

All being prepared, Otter made his rope fast to the staff and descended
rapidly to the cave below. As his feet touched the ground, the priests
began to batter upon the doors of the cell with beams of wood, or some
such heavy instruments.

"Quick, Juanna!" said Leonard, "sit in this noose and hold the line, we
will let you down. Hurry, those doors cannot stand for long."

Another minute and she was beside Otter, who stood beneath, a candle in
his hand. Then Leonard came down.

"By the way, Otter,"