waiting for salvation, and with good gold to pay for it!

The offer of the padre to give aid in battle to their Indian brethren,
had been but a courteous pleasantry when uttered. It was a different
matter when scouts were sent abroad by the pagan Ruler to seek trouble
and bring it home to all of them!

Trouble enough was he brewing by that gift to the padre of the sacred
sun symbol. The pariah who brought it was under the curse medicine of
Tahn-te. Before their eyes he sat dumb, and the Castilians crossed
themselves with dread as they looked on him. He was the visible
warning of a doom awaiting any other who dared speak!

Not alone could he lift water to his own lips. The trembling of his
hand was now the trembling of his entire body. By order of Tahn-te he
was to be taken to one of the little cliff dwellings at the foot of
the mesa. Each seven suns, an old man and a group of boys were to have
the task of carrying to him food and water, and each visit the boys
were to be told by the Ancient why the medicine had been put upon the
outcast. Thus all youth would know that the Great Mystery sent power
against traitors.

In vain Padre Vicente tried to scoff at the reality of it, or the
continuance of it. The men pointed to the palsied man, and prayers
were remembered by many who were not pious. Indian witchcraft was not
to their liking!

"Paracelsus with his necromancy has done nothing worse!" declared Don
Diego. "This barbarian priest lacks bowels in his devilish art! Had he
not sent the gift of gold, the aggravation would have been less
pointed. That insult from the heretic is not to be endured."

"Yet the saints do give us strength for the endurance, Senor," replied
the secretary, "and Don Ruy paces apart, and keeps key on his thoughts
since that council. Think you he fears magic of the Po-Ahtun-ho?"

"A good thing were it true!" decided Don Diego--"overmuch is he
inclined to countenance their pagan practices, and find likeness in
their mummeries to the mysteries of the Greek--and even the Egyptian
of ancient days! The sorcerer has snared him with that ungodly
learning of books. But while we see it, and know it, Chico my son, it
is as well that the thought enters not into the 'Relaciones.' Don Ruy
in the desert is a good comrade, but his Excellency in Madrid could
nip any book in the bud--even the most stupendous."

"He is so great in power?"

"He is--but it is enough to know that he is the darling of princes,