her friend. They had
never met before, she did not even dream of his existence, and there
was little in Leonard's outward appearance to distinguish him from the
ruffians by whom he was surrounded. Yet her quick sense, sharpened by
despair, read what was written in his eyes, and read it aright. From
that moment Juanna felt that she was not alone among these wolves, that
there was one person at least who would save her if he could.

In an instant she had searched his face and dropped her eyes again,
fearing lest she should awake suspicion. Then came a pause, for the
minds of men were disturbed; she had aroused some remnant of conscience
in them, she had called to life a lively terror of vengeance to come, of
vengeance very near at hand. All were affected more or less, but chiefly
was he affected to whom she had addressed her words. The Yellow Devil
sank back into the chair from which he had risen to speak, a wonderful
chair made of ebony inlaid with ivory, and string-seated, with a
footstool attached to it. Superstitious dread took hold of him, and he
shivered visibly.

The scene was one which Leonard never forgot. Above the bright moon
shone in the heavens, before him were rank upon rank of evil faces, each
marked with some new emotion, and standing alone in their midst was the
beautiful girl, proud in the depth of her shame, defiant even in the
power of foes gathered to destroy her.

For a while the wind had dropped and the silence was deep, so deep was
it that Leonard could hear the mew of a kitten which had crept from the
verandah, and was rubbing itself against Juanna's feet. She heard it
also, and, stooping, lifted the little creature and held it to her
breast.

"Let her go!" said a voice from the crowd. "She is a witch and will
bring ill-luck upon us."

At the sound Pereira seemed to awake. With a hideous oath he flung
himself from the chair and waddled down the steps towards his victim.

"Curse you, you slut!" he said, "do you think to frighten men with your
threats? Let God help you if He can. The Yellow Devil is god here. You
are as much in my power as this brute," and he snatched the kitten from
her arms and dashed it to the ground. "You see, God does not help the
kitten, and He will not help you. Here, let men see what they are going
to buy," and gripping the breast of her white robe he rent it open.

With one hand Juanna gathered up the torn dress, and with the other
she began to do something to her h