the dark mass of cloud above us was aflame continuously
with blinding flashes of red lightning, while a continuous crash of
splitting peals of thunder rang through the shattered air.

Doubtless this storm was our salvation. That the Priest Captain's
intention, even from the first, had been to kill us also, and so make
his victory complete, I do not for a moment doubt; but he was too shrewd
to waste upon a few terrified spectators an exhibition that would carry
with it a salutary demonstration of his power; and with the bursting of
the flood upon us, the crowd that filled the amphitheatre had begun a
tumultuous flight to the temple; going thither partly for shelter, and
partly being awe-struck by what had passed before them and by the
tremendous fury of the storm, that they might find safety in the
abiding-place of their gods.

Therefore, the order was given hurriedly that we should be taken back to
our prison; in obedience to which command our guards led us through the
temple--where they had difficulty in forcing a way for us through the
dense throng that had gathered within its walls--and thence to the
Treasure-house beyond; and they were in such haste to be quit of us,
that they also might seek safety in the temple, that they scarce waited
to close the grating behind us before they sped away.

So overwhelming was the grief that had fallen upon us that for some
moments we stood as though stunned where the guards had left us; and,
for myself, my one regret was that the chance of the storm, by saving me
yet a little while longer alive, had lost to me the happiness of dying
in the same hour with the friend whom I had so strongly loved. I think
that this thought was in Young's heart also, as he stood there silent
beside me, the blood so drawn away from his face that a dull yellow
pallor overspread his bronzed skin, while his breath came short and
hard. As for the boy Pablo, his whole being was shattered. He sank down
on the rock at our feet, and seemed to be moaning his very life out in
long quivering sobs.

But presently, as our minds grew steadier, the thought of Rayburn came
to us; and the strain upon our heart-strings was relaxed a little by
remembering that our lives still were worth holding fast to in order
that we might minister to his needs. Yet when we came again into the
room where he lay, it seemed at first as though he also was lost to us;
for even in that faint light we saw that his face was a deadly white