"What brings you here?" said the chief abruptly.
"Is my father satisfied with me?" replied the amantzin; "Has the Wacondah spoken well to the sachems?"
"Yes," said the Tigercat, with a gesture of disgust; "my brother has done well: he may go."
"My father is great and generous! The spirit that possesses me tore me grievously."
The chief snatched a string of pearls from his neck, and threw it to the wretch, who caught it with a shout of delight.
"Go!" said the Tigercat, turning haughtily away.
The amantzin retired. He had got all he wanted.
Don Torribio had left the scene of the incantation with the other chiefs, to repair to his post; but after proceeding a little way, he looked up to the sky, and mentally calculated the hour by the position of the stars.
"I shall have time," he muttered to himself.
So he hastily directed his steps towards the toldo of Doña Hermosa; numerous guards surrounded it.