t idiot Otter has upset
everything. We might have become millionaires for the asking, and now
we must wait for months before we so much as get sight of a ruby or a
sapphire."

Nobody answered. Indeed, the whole party were plunged into consternation
at the fatal effects of this accident. As for Otter himself, when he
understood fully what he had done, he almost wept for grief.

"Who could have known, Baas?" he groaned. "It was the sight of the green
food that bewitched me, who have always hated the taste of grass. And
now my folly has undone all, and it seems that I must be a god for many
months, if, indeed, they do not find me out."

"Never mind, Otter," said Leonard, moved to pity by the dwarf's genuine
grief. "You have lost the stones and you will have to find them again
somehow. By the way, Soa, why did you start so when the old priest came
in?"

"Because he is my father, Deliverer," she answered.

Leonard whistled; here was a new complication. What if Nam should
recognise her?

CHAPTER XXII

THE TEMPLE OF JAL

In considerable agitation of mind Leonard bid good-bye to Juanna,
promising to return soon, and went to visit the Settlement men, whom he
had not seen since the previous evening.

He found them in good case enough, so far as their material comfort was
concerned, for they were well supplied with food and warmly lodged. So
much could not be said, however, of their mental state, for they were
terrified by the multitude of solemn priests and warriors who watched
them as cats watch mice. Crouching round him dejectedly they implored
Leonard not to leave them, saying that they expected to be murdered
every minute. He pacified them as well as he could and left them with
the assurance that he would return presently, having first reminded them
that the lives of all depended upon the maintenance of the delusion as
to the divinity of Otter and the Shepherdess.

The remainder of that day passed heavily enough. After the first
excitement of their strange position had gone by a reaction set in, and
everybody was much depressed. As the hours drew on, the mist, which had
lifted a little about ten o'clock, closed in very densely, throwing
the ill-lighted chamber where they sat into a deep gloom. In such an
atmosphere conversation languished; indeed, at times it died altogether,
and the only sound to be heard was that of the monotonous voices of the
priests without the curtains, as they muttered prayers unceasin