She held out the opal towards him.
"You may lose it altogether, Dolores."
"No matter, Juanito. It may save the city."
"And you consent to this sacrifice, Don Miguel?"
"Yes, Señor. I think it will turn aside this host of savages. With them away, we can hope to conquer Xuarez. Otherwise——" Maraquando stopped suddenly, and made a gesture of despair.
"Of course it is merely an experiment," said Jack, doubtfully.
"But one which must be successful," cried Dolores, quickly. "Querido, can you doubt that, after what we saw in the sacred city? As the god speaks through the opal, so will the Indians act. Let it dart, then, its blue ray, and drive them back to their forests."
"You are sure you can make it shine blue, Cocom?"
"Señor," said the old man, with great dignity, "I give my life to prove that this shall be so."
Jack took the opal from the outstretched hand of Dolores.