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Updated: May 4, 2025
"I know not, Deliverer; when I left, Olfan and his brother still held the mouth of the tunnel and were unhurt, but the captain was dead. I slipped past them and got this as I went," and she pointed to the gash in her side. "If he can hold out a little longer, help may reach him," muttered Leonard. Then without more words, he laid himself and Juanna face downwards on the broad stone.
Here on this ledge, which covered an area no greater than that of a small room, and in front of the altar, stood a man bound, in whom Leonard recognised Olfan, the king, while on either side of him were priests, naked to the waist, and armed with knives. Behind them again stood the little band of Settlement men, trembling with terror.
The day passed slowly, and at length the gloom gathering in the little cell told her that night was near. Before it fell, however, Soa and Nam entered, bearing candles, which they fixed upon brackets in the walls. "We come, Shepherdess, to hear your answer," said Nam. "Will you consent to take Olfan for a husband, or will you not?" "I will not consent." "Think again, Shepherdess."
After he had rested awhile at the bottom of the glacier, Otter set to work to explore the cliff on the top of which he found himself, with the view of descending it and hiding at its foot till nightfall, when he hoped to find means of re-entering the city and putting himself in communication with Olfan.
"Listen, Olfan," she said, "this is not an hour for pretty speeches which mean nothing, for it seems that before the light dawns again I may well be dead and far beyond all love and worship. This is our tale: we came to your land to seek adventures, and also to win those red stones that you name the blood of Aca, which among the white people are much prized as ornaments for their women.
"My son," said the priest, "go to the entrance by which the king entered, where you will find three captains, generals of the king. Lead them hither." "And see that you speak to no one on the way," whispered Olfan in Nam's ear. "And see that you speak to no one on the way," repeated Nam. "I hear you, father," replied the priest, and went. Some ten minutes passed and the door opened again.
"Now, love, your toast." "I drink to the memory of Francisco who died to save me," says Juanna in a low voice. "Amen," repeats her husband. For a moment there is silence, for Leonard gives no toast; then the boy Thomas lifts his glass and cries, "And I drink to Olfan, the king of the People of the Mist, and to Otter, who killed the Snake-god, and whom I love the best of all of them.
"Speak, Olfan," said Juanna at length. "It was told to me, Queen," he answered in a low, full voice, "that you had words to say to me. Nevertheless, now as always, I obey you. Queen, I learn that your husband, he whom you loved, is dead, and believe me, I sorrow for you.
Then he saw that a chance had befallen them, which in after-days he was wont to attribute to the direct intervention of Providence. It will be remembered that when they started, Leonard had pushed the rock off with a spear which Olfan had given them.
Now they were at those gates of the temple that were nearest to the colossal idol, and here, at the mouth of one of the numerous underground passages, guards assisted them to descend. "Farewell, Queen," whispered the voice of Olfan into Francisco's ear; "I would have given my life to save you, but I have failed; as it is, I live to avenge you upon Nam and all his servants."
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