and Chico clutched at the embroidered doublet of
Don Diego, and wished for the sound of any man's voice.

Then Tahn-te smiled as the eyes of Padre Vicente wavered, as Ka-yemo's
had wavered--the boy who had tamed serpents felt the strength of the
hills with him. Always he felt strong when he stood alone!

From the medicine pouch he took the gift of the rosary, and held it
aloft that all might see, and the silver Christ on it caught the light
from the opening in the roof, and swung and circled like a thing
alive.

"Senores"--he said in Spanish though slowly, as one little used to the
speech--"one of those among you has done me the honor to send me a
gift and a message. I was making prayers at that time,--I have not
been free to return thanks until now in the council. I do so, and I
speak in Spain's words as this is not a Te-hua matter. It is a gift
from a Christian to a Pagan, and the message told me a king would be
proud to wear this strand of carven beads. Senores:--I am no king,
kings give royal bounties to each giver of a gift. I stand naked that
you see with your own eyes how little I can accept,--since in return
I can give not anything! Take back your kingly gift, Senor Priest:--I
cannot exchange for it even--a soul!"

He stepped lightly as a panther of the hills across the open space and
let fall the beads into the hands of Padre Vicente.

"That you may save it for the king, Senor!" he said gently, and bowing
with more of grace than a courtier who does homage, he returned to his
place.

Padre Vicente turned gray white under the tan. Don Diego crossed
himself and muttered a prayer. Juan Gonzalvo uttered an expletive and
half smothered it in a gasp as the face of Tahn-te caught the light
for one instant.

"Blood of Christ!"--he whispered--"look at his eyes--his eyes!"

Don Ruy caught the arm of the man and pressed it for warning to
silence. When he turned a more composed face to the circle, the
secretary was looking at him and there was something like terror in
the face of the lad. Each knew the thought of the other--each
remembered the words of Juan Gonzalvo at Ah-ko,--also the basket of
the sacred first fruit at the portal under the dove cote--also the
blue eyes of the Greek--blue with lashes so long and so heavy that
black might be their color. The pagan priest would need all the help
of his gods if Juan Gonzalvo caught this thought of theirs!

Padre Vicente recovered himself, kissed the crucifix and s