er of our Great Mother. Pray don't make words
about it, senor. Take off your clothes without any more bother, or she
will be getting angry."

"Let her get angry. I shall do nothing of the sort--No, don't say that;
say that English gentlemen--I mean pale-face medicine-men from over the
seas, never undress in the presence of ladies; their religion forbids it."

Gondocori was about to remonstrate again when the queen interposed and
insisted on knowing what I said. When she heard that I refused to obey her
behest she turned purple with rage, and looked as if she would annihilate
me. Then her mood, or her mind, changing, she laughed loudly, at the same
time pointing to the door and making an observation to the cacique.

Having meanwhile reflected that I was not in an English drawing-room, that
this wretched woman could have me stripped whether I would or no, and that
refusal to comply with her wishes might cost me my life, I asked Gondocori
why the queen wanted me to undress.

"She wants to see whether your body is as hairy as your face (I had not
shaved since I left Naperima), and your face as fair as your body."

"Will it satisfy her if I meet her half-way--strip to the waist? You can
say that I never did as much for any woman before, and that I would not do
it for the queen of my own country, whatever might be the consequence."

The cacique interpreted my proposal, and Mamcuna smiled assent. "The queen
says, 'let it be as you say;' and she charges me to tell you that she is
very much pleased to know that you will do for her what you would not do
for any other woman."

On that I took off my upper garments and Mamcuna, rising from her hammock,
examined me as closely as a military surgeon examines a freshly caught
recruit. She felt the muscles of my arms, thumped my chest, took note of
the width of my back, punched my ribs, and finally pulled a few hairs out
of my beard. Then, smiling approval, she retired to her chinchura.

"You may put on your clothes; the inspection is over," said Gondocori. "I
am glad it has passed off so well. I was rather afraid, though, when she
began to pinch you."

"Afraid of what?"

"Well, the queen is rather curious about skin and color and that, and does
curious things sometimes. She once had a strip of skin cut out of a
mestiza maiden's back, to see whether it was the same color on both sides.
But she seems to have taken quite a liking for you; says you are the
prettiest man she ever s