ich they must give: If to-morrow at the dawn the mists
have vanished and the sun shines red and clear on the snows of yonder
mountain, then it is well and we will worship them. But if the morning
is cold and mist-laden, then, true gods or false, we will hurl them from
the head of the statue into the pit of the Snake, there to be dealt
with by the Snake, or to deal with him as it may chance. That is our
judgment, People of the Mist, and Nam shall carry it out if need be, for
he shall keep his power and his place until all these wonders are made
clear, and then himself he shall be judged according to their issue."

Now the great mass of the people cried aloud that this was a wise and
just saying, but others were silent, for though they did not agree with
it they dared not dispute the sentence. Then Juanna rose and said:

"We have heard your words and we will withdraw to consider them, and by
dawn ye shall see us seated on the Black One yonder. But whether we will
cause the sun to shine or choose to pass to our own place by the path
of boiling waters, we do not know, though it seems to me that the last
thing is better than the first, for we weary of your company, People of
the Mist, and it is not fitting that we should bless you longer with our
presence. Nevertheless, should we choose that path, those evils which I
have foretold shall fall upon you. Olfan, lead us hence."

The king stepped forward with his guards and the procession passed back
towards the palace solemnly and in silence, for none attempted to bar
their way. They reached it safely at exactly ten o'clock by Leonard's
watch.

"Now let us eat and drink," said Leonard when they stood alone in the
throne-room, "for we shall need all our strength to-night."

"Yes," answered Juanna with a sad smile, "let us eat and drink, for
to-morrow we die."

CHAPTER XXX

FRANCISCO'S EXPIATION

When they had finished their meal, which was about as sad an
entertainment as can well be conceived, they began to talk.

"Do you see any hope?" asked Juanna of the other three.

Leonard shook his head and answered:

"Unless the sun shines at dawn to-morrow, we are dead men."

"Then there is little chance of that, Baas," groaned Otter, "for the
night is as the nights have been for these five weeks. No wonder that
this people are fierce and wicked who live in such a climate."

Juanna hid her face in her hands for a while, then spoke:

"They did not say that any harm was