utation.
For one day Otter endured it; on the second, in spite of Leonard's
warnings, he sought refuge in the society of the bridge Saga. This
was the beginning of evil, for if no man is a hero to his _valet de
chambre_, much less can he remain a god for long in the eyes of a
curious woman. Here, as in other matters, familiarity breeds contempt.

Leonard saw these dangers and spoke seriously to the dwarf on the
subject. Still he could not conceal from himself that, putting aside the
question of his _ennui_, which made his conduct natural, at any rate in
a savage, Otter's position was a difficult one. So Leonard shrugged
his shoulders and consoled himself as best he could with the reflection
that, at least, his wife would teach the dwarf something of her
language, which, by the way, he himself was practising assiduously under
the tuition of Juanna and Soa.

At noon the party adjourned to the temple, escorted by a bevy of priests
and soldiers, for in obedience to Juanna's commands the feast was to
be celebrated in the daytime and not at night. As before, the vast
amphitheatre was crowded with thousands of human beings, but there was a
difference in the arrangements.

Juanna and Otter had declined to occupy their lofty thrones, and sat
in chairs at the feet of the huge and hideous stone idol, almost on
the edge of the pool, Nam alone standing before them, while Leonard,
Francisco, and the Settlement men ranged themselves on either side. The
day was cold and miserable, and snow fell from time to time in large
flakes from an ashen sky.

Presently Nam addressed the multitude.

"People of the Mist," he cried, "ye are gathered here to celebrate the
feast of Jal, according to ancient custom, but the gods have come
back to you, as ye know, and the gods in their wisdom have changed the
custom. Fifty women were prepared for the sacrifice; this morning they
rose rejoicing, deeming that they were destined to the Snake, but now
their joy is turned to sorrow, since the gods will not accept them,
having chosen a new offering for themselves. Let it be brought forward."

At his word lads appeared from behind the idol, driving two lean bulls,
and with them a pair of he-goats.

Whether by accident or design, they drove them so unskilfully that the
animals blundered hither and thither over the rocky platform till they
were finally despatched with blows from clubs and axes--that is, except
one goat, which, escaping its pursuers, rushe