The prisoners were led along until they came to the largest building visible to them, and there a halt was called.
There were no doors to any of the huts, which showed that the inhabitants were not afraid of being robbed by their neighbors. The crowd who had charge of our friends faced the main doorway of the building they had halted in front of, and then clapped their hands.
Almost immediately a rustle was heard, and the figure of a female came out.
As soon as she appeared every person in sight, save the five captives, dropped to their knees and turned their faces to the ground.
With a look of wonderment upon their faces the swamp explorers eyed the girl—for she did not look to be over eighteen at the most—and marveled at her rare beauty.
She was attired in a trailing, white gown of some gauzy material, and her face was partly concealed by a fold of the same, which was thrown around her shoulders and across her mouth.
The look from her dazzling bright eyes showed that she was surprised at seeing the strangers.
But only for an instant did her gaze rest upon them.
Turning quickly to those who had brought them there, she clapped her hands three times.
All arose to their feet and saluted her.