first conducted them to an apartment
wherein were all the requisites for a bath, together with a complete
change of clothing, and afterward to another room, very luxuriously
furnished, in which they found not only a choice though evidently
hastily provided meal, but likewise all their weapons, ammunition, and
other belongings. While this was being done the remainder of the
priesthood filed into the temple--where a vast congregation had
assembled to take part in a specially arranged festival in honour of the
full moon, to be accompanied by a sacrifice--to explain, as best they
could, to the assembled multitude that an unfortunate and most
regrettable mistake had been made; and that, consequently, although the
festival would proceed, no sacrifice beyond that of a pair of goats
would be offered!

To Dick Chichester this sudden and extraordinary change in the fortune
of himself and his friend was utterly incomprehensible; and no sooner
were they once more alone than he turned to Phil and demanded an
explanation. But, to his great surprise, Stukely, for almost the first
time since that memorable night when they had escaped from Cartagena
together, seemed inclined to be reticent; he professed himself not to
understand wholly the sudden and remarkable turn which affairs had
taken, appeared thoughtful, and inclined to be silent; and would only
say that the Peruvians had mistaken them for a couple of Spaniards, and
that they had consequently escaped a terrible death by the very skin of
their teeth. And when Dick further pressed him with several very
obvious questions, the only reply which he could extort was, that in the
excitement of the moment certain words, the meaning of which he did not
in the least understand, had involuntarily escaped his lips, and that it
was undoubtedly those mysterious words which had wrought the singular
change in the priests' attitude toward them; of which change he had felt
himself justified in taking the utmost advantage immediately that it
became apparent. He added that, although danger seemed for the moment
to be past, the situation was still exceedingly difficult and delicate,
demanding the utmost care and circumspection in handling; and he wound
up with an earnest request to Dick to cease from questioning him
further, as he wished to think the matter out and decide upon the plan
of action which it would be best to pursue under the circumstances.

A week ensued during which Dick and Phil s