are. Between them they have
slain no less than twenty-one men of the Mayubuna, leaving twenty-one
women and many children with none to protect or find food for them. Let
them be given as slaves to us, then, that we whom they have thus cruelly
bereaved may not suffer from the loss of father, husband, or son. It is
our right, and we demand it."

The cacique considered this extraordinary request for several minutes;
then he turned to Dick and Phil.

"White men," he said, "ye have heard what this woman asks. Now behold,
I give you your choice: will ye become the slaves of these bereaved
women, to till their fields, tend their cattle, hunt and fish for them,
and generally watch over and protect them and their children in the
place of those whom ye have slain? Or will ye go straightway to the
stake and pay the penalty of your misdeeds by dying a slow and miserable
death?"

"Since we must needs do the one or the other," answered Phil--who alone
fully understood the purport of the cacique's speech, and therefore took
it upon himself to reply--"we choose to become the slaves of these women
who have intervened to save us from death. And we will do our best to
fill the places of those whom we have unfortunately slain, tilling their
fields, tending their cattle, hunting and fishing for their wives and
children, and protecting them from all evil."

"It is well," answered the cacique. Then, turning to the group of
women, he said: "Take them; they are yours; I have granted your request.
Nevertheless, methinks you would find it easier to tame two full-grown
jaguars, fresh from the forest, than to subdue these white men to your
will. But that is your affair." And with a wave of his hand he
dismissed the party.

"`Subdue them', said he?" muttered the ancient Insipa. "Ha, ha! we
shall see; yes, we shall see! These men are truly young and strong and
fierce, yea, stronger and fiercer than black jaguars, while Insipa is
old and weak; nevertheless--here, take them and bind them for me." She
turned suddenly and held out two tough, raw-hide ropes to the armed
guard who still surrounded the prisoners; and they, with a coarse jest
or two at the old woman's expense, at once proceeded to bind Dick's and
Phil's hands behind them, after which they placed the two free ends of
the ropes in the beldame's hands and left the way free for her to lead
her prisoners away.

"Come, then," cried the old woman, jerking the ropes roughly; "come