But while de Sancerre’s mind dwelt fondly upon the joy of an all-absorbing love, it endeavored, at the same time, to make an inventory of the actual and the possible dangers which he would be compelled to confront before he could indulge the hope that the love he welcomed would ever fulfil the promise which it held within itself.
Weeks must pass before de la Salle could return from his voyage to the gulf. Even then the explorer had at his command no force with which to overcome these martial and stalwart sun-worshippers. De Sancerre’s only hope lay in diplomacy and craft. It was essential to the success of his scheme, whose general outlines were already forming in his mind, that the superstitious tendencies of the people surrounding him be used as a tool for forging his escape. But their fanaticism was a double-edged instrument which must be handled with the nicest care or it would turn within his hands and destroy him at a blow.
Coyocop? How far could he trust her quickness and discretion? That she possessed both of these qualities he was inclined to believe. One of her greatest charms in the blithesome days at Versailles had consisted in her ready responsiveness to his changing moods, in the keenness of a mind which shone to advantage even in that centre of the great world’s sharpest wit. As for her discretion, had it not been proved by the fact that she had maintained for many months her alien authority over these fickle, jealous, sharp-eyed people? Furthermore—and de Sancerre lingered over the mystery with much concern—she had, during that same period, managed to conceal from the keen-witted and revengeful Noco the fact that her origin was Spanish, not divine. How well the girl must have played a most exacting part to deceive the eccentric old hag, de Sancerre fully realized. That in Julia de Aquilar he would find an ally well-fitted to play the rôle which he had in mind for her, her skill in blinding Noco gave good proof. But, at the best, de Sancerre’s growing project must win the full fruition of success much more by chance than by design. Even before he took initial steps, he must learn what new excitement had aroused the lazy town at noon.
“Peste!” he exclaimed, fretfully. “It was no victory to outrun Cabanacte. His heavy limbs are slower than a Prussian’s wits.”
At that very instant the hole beside which Noco lurked was darkened by her grandson’s stooping form. Drawing himself erect, after he had pulled his long limbs into the hut, Cabanacte glanced searchingly around the room until his black eyes lighted upon the self-absorbed Katonah. Then, followed by Noco, he strode toward de Sancerre.
“There is no danger to the girl,” muttered the giant, as he seated himself upon a bench, which groaned in protest beneath his weight. “But I bring to you bad news.”
“Ma foi, you look it!” exclaimed de Sancerre to himself, scanning the troubled countenance of the dusky youth.
Turning to Noco, Cabanacte poured forth rapidly in his native tongue the sombre story which he had heard abroad, and then stood erect, gazing at Katonah.
“The Great Sun lies dying!” exclaimed the old woman, excitedly, turning from her grandson to her guest. “In perfect health at sunrise, he fell near noonday, and none can make him speak.”
De Sancerre had sprung to his feet and was glancing alternately down at Noco and up at Cabanacte. The menacing significance of the misfortune which had fallen upon the King appeared to him at once. Had evil come to the Great Sun in some way not readily explainable, the crafty sun-priests would lay his sickness to the blighting influence of the stranger’s magic, the fatal witchery brought with him from the moon.