sts will wait the word of the white man ere
they dare go to the groves of the sacred trees for the prayer wreaths
to the gods!"

"The sacred pine must be sacred to all--always!" said Po-tzah.

"Not anything is sacred to the white men--I have looked in their
books;--I, of all Te-hua men!"

Padre Vicente saw that the old magic of the talking leaves was
potent;--and he arose without waiting for formal interpretation.

"He has looked in the books with the eyes of a sorcerer!" he declared,
thus openly accusing Tahn-te before the council.--"He has read crooked
things--and his words are the words of the man who mated with the
witch in the hills!"

The council stared at this new sign that strong magic was with the
priest of the robe--he was suddenly given knowledge of the tongue of
Te-hua! Don Diego stared in wonder and crossed himself many times.

"It is a language infernal even to the people born to it," he
gasped--"but that it should be given to one of us on the day when we
are openly claimed as brothers is a special sign of grace. Thanks to
the saints who sent it your way instead of mine!"

"This man has brought evil on you until the earth groans and turns,"
continued the Padre. "His mother of the caves is called 'holy' and he
is called strong in the light of the sky:--But the sky is angry, and
the Great God and his saints are angry that this sorcerer has cheated
you so long with enchantments of the devil! Be strong for the saving
of your own souls, and leave him to his witch mates and to his hell!"

Even Don Ruy was astounded that the padre addressed the council in
their own words--truly of all priests ever frocked he had found the
one most subtle for the work in hand, for having gained the
council--as it was easy to see he had gained them--Padre Vicente spoke
in Castilian to Tahn-te.

"Yet does my office exact absolution for you, if you but crave it with
a contrite heart," he said for the benefit of Don Ruy and Don Diego
who listened. "You have worked for your devils, and they have deserted
you, and stripped you of power. Acknowledge the true God and the
saints will intercede for your favor."

Tahn-te looked at him, and his smile was strange.

"There was a man named Judas in your holy book," he said, "only silver
did he crave for his work. You are greater than Judas; you work for
the metal more precious. Is it thirty pieces you want ere you crucify
me utterly?"

The figure of a woman darkened the entrance--