“I am the mouth of Jâl, as Jâl is my hand. When I speak I speak the words of Jâl. Do his bidding and mine, or die, you disobedient servant.”
This was the end of it. Nam was beaten; for the first time in his life he must own a master, and that master the gods whom he had himself discovered and proclaimed.
“So be it,” he said suddenly. “The old order passes, and the new order comes. So be it! Let your will be done, O Aca and O Jâl. I have striven for your glory, I have fed your altars, and ye threaten me with death and put away my gift. Priests, set free that man who was king. People, have your way, forget your ancient paths, pluck the white flower of peace—and perish! I have said.”
So he spoke from on high, shaking his clenched fists above his hoary head, and was gone. Then the executioners unbound the limbs of the ex-king, and he rose from the stone of death.
“Olfan,” cried Juanna from on high, “you that were the king, we, who have taken your kingship, give you life, and liberty, and honour; see that in reward you serve us well, lest again you should lie upon that bed of stone. Do you swear fealty to us?”
“For ever and for ever. I swear it by your holy heads,” answered Olfan.
“It is well. Now under us once more we give you command of the armies of this people, our children. Summon your captains and your soldiers. Bid those that brought us hither lead us back whence we came, and there set guards about us, so that none trouble us. For you, our people, for this time fare you well. Go in peace to dwell in peace beneath the shadow of our strength.”
Chapter XXIV.
OLFAN TELLS OF THE RUBIES
It was at this juncture that Francisco recovered his senses. “Oh!” he gasped, opening his eyes and sitting up, “is it done, and am I dead?”
“No, no, you are alive and safe,” answered Leonard. “Stay where you are and don’t look over the edge, or you will faint again. Here, take my hand. Now, you brute,” and he made energetic motions to the surviving priest, indicating that he must lead them back along the path by which they had come, at the same time tapping his rifle significantly.