"Listen," said Christian, yielding to an irresistible impulse of curiosity; "listen, they are talking."
The artisans remained motionless and mute. For a moment a solemn silence reigned. Presently the voice of Ignatius Loyola reached them as if it descended from heaven.
"Do you swear?" came from the founder of the Society of Jesus. "Do you swear in the name of the living God?"
"In the name of God," responded the Jesuits. "We swear! We shall obey our master!"
"My sons," Loyola's voice resumed solemnly, "from this place you can see the four cardinal points of that world whose empire I parcel out among you, valiant soldiers of the Society of Jesus. Down yonder, towards the north, lie the land of the Muscovite, Germany, England. To you, Germany, England and the land of the Muscovite—John Lainez."
"Master, your will be done!"
"Yonder, to the east, Turkey, Asia, the Holy Land. To you, Turkey, Asia and the Holy Land—Rodriguez of Acevedo."
"Master, your will be done!"
"Yonder, towards the west, the new America and the Indies. To you, the new America and the Indies—Alfonso Salmeron."
"Master, your will be done!"