you say love words to me. You think you
want me?"

Juan Gonzalvo was a blunt soldier who had never before been kept at
the distance of Tantalus by an Indian girl who took his gifts. On her
brown neck a silver necklace of his shone richly, and in her
braided hair corals of the sea gleamed red. While others had fled to
the altars for prayers,--and sprinkled sacred pollen to the
Go-he-yahs--the mediators between earth and spirit world--Yahn had
bathed in the river and made herself beautiful with Castilian gifts
and barbaric trinketry.

To the man who measured her with eager eyes, she looked beautiful as
the Te-hua goddess of whom she had told him--Ta-ah-quea who brings the
Spring.

He told her so while he devoured her with his glances.

"Good!" she said. "You give me love, and you hate the Po-Athun-ho. You
can have us both if your heart is brave this night."

His arms would have clasped her for that promise, but she eluded him
and laughed.

"Your Don Ruy tells you the Po-Athun-ho must have no harm," she
whispered, "but is there not among your men, one, maybe even three
soldiers who are master of the bow,--and can destroy in silence?"

Gonzalvo was himself a master bowman--and had some pride in knowing
it, also he could if need be, pick men of his company who had skill,
and could be trusted.

"Could you send these men as if to hunt or to fish,--could you have
them find the way past the Te-hua sentinels to the place where they
camped in the pines?" and she made a gesture towards Pu-ye. "Could you
secretly find your way there in the dark before the Mother Moon looks
full on the face of the earth?"

"I can do this--and I can do more than this."

"Can you win for your people the good heart of the council that they
show you the sun symbol?" she asked. "Only Tahn-te closes the door to
you, and they fear Tahn-te. Tell me why your hate of him is strong."

"His father was the Devil. Through the devil soul he learns magic
things."

"Good! You hear the wise men tell of a maid of evil who brought the
tornado and the battle--and now brings this shake of the world?"

"The witch maid," and Gonzalvo crossed himself--"Yes--the men speak of
her in whispers--and the Indians say a sacrifice must be made."

"It must be made," said Yahn Tsyn-deh, and her white teeth shut tight
in decision. "Maybe it happens that you can make it, and win the
council--how then?"

"I--make the sacrifice--I?"

"Not where the altar is," soothed