ted. While awaiting the
result of the conference Muro was away instructing the pickets who were
around the village. He soon appeared, bringing with him two Tuolos whose
dress betokened them as belonging to the same order as the individuals
who had been sent into the village.

Calling John aside he said:

"The Tuolos have two rival sets of medicine men. These belong to the
other set, and are the ones who perform the religious rites."

"Where did you find them?"

"Directly east of the village."

"Were they going to the village?"

"Yes."

"Did they come from the hill on the east side?"

John mused for a while, and then said quietly to Muro: "They came from a
cave on the hill, where they perform their rites, and it is a place I
want to see. It is one of the reasons I insisted on coming to settle
matters first with the Tuolos."

Muro was astounded at the information, as he asked: "How do you know
there is a cave in the hill?"

"Because I have been in it, and I know what it contains. They are having
trouble in the village with the Krishnos we sent there."

"Yes," responded Muro; "and they have sent for the others, as they do
not believe what they have told the chiefs."

"I will question the ones you have brought in."

The two captured were brought before John. They stood before him in
defiant attitude, and some of the Brabo warriors cringed at their
frowning mien.

"Why were you going to the village?" he asked with a severe frown.

At this question they scarcely deigned to move their heads, and were
silent. The question was repeated, but they refused to answer. This was
carrying out the very line of conduct which Muro had advised John would
be the case, and in concert they had mapped out a course of action.

"Tell me, Muro, have any of your people the same fear of these Krishnos
as the others possess in the various tribes?"

"It is the universal belief in the various tribes that to offend them
means death. The only ones who are supreme are the chiefs, who often
imprison them, but even the chiefs dare not kill them."

"Will your people carry out our command if we do not order them killed?"

"My people will do whatever I say, even though it be to kill them. They
saw how the other Krishnos quaked when you made the fire come out of
the stone."

"Then, if they refuse to answer me, I will order them to be beaten. You
will understand."

"That will be done with pleasure," he answered.

It was obvious to a