sign that the Evil One walked openly
between the rows of the adobe dwellings, and that the field camp was a
safer haven than a house whose every corner was, without doubt, a
matter of unsanctified prayer in the building.

Others there were who had grown weary of drenchings of summer rains,
and Yahn, hearing their arguments, warned them that old Khen-yah the
rain priest was making medicine for more corn rains--they could easily
hear his tombe if they but hearkened.

"That we can easily do without any strain to our ears," agreed Don
Ruy--"but what of that? Is a piece of hide tied around a hollow log to
serve as thunder from which the rain must come, whether or no?"

The girl did not grasp his raillery and liked it little. When Don Ruy
spoke to her--or spoke of her, she felt she was being laughed at. Only
her determination to be in some way a power through these strange
people, kept her from betraying her anger.

"The rain comes," she stated coldly. "The drum of Khen-yah never rests
in quiet until it does come. One night and one day he has made
medicine--soon it must come."

"Then I cast my vote for the cover of a solid roof, gentlemen,"
decided Don Ruy. "I've had one taste of their red magic--it was speedy
and effectual. If the old magician should decide to send us a flood,
the sorcery would not be so much to my liking."

After some further discourse all agreed to accept the offered
dwelling, though Don Diego warned Don Ruy it was unwise to speak in so
light a manner of the power of the Evil One when it was rampant in the
land. Already he had taken up the valiant battle for converts. His
success was gratifying in that one woman had without understanding,
yet with pleasurable smiles listened to the credo, and had accepted
with equal gratification a string of blue beads of glass, and a
rosary.--It was Saeh-pah. She had found courage to slip alone into the
camp while Yahn talked in the village. After the little matter of the
beads she at once became as a shadow to Don Diego, who had great
confidence of leading her away from her false gods. When he stated his
pious hope to the official interpreter of Don Ruy, that damsel seemed
little gifted with the devout apprehension or sisterly affection so
much to be desired in females. She was angry because of the blue
beads, and later, when the sulkiness had departed enough that her
tongue found again its right usage, she stated that the pious Don
Diego would find little trouble