CHAPTER XXXIV.
SORROW TURNED INTO JOY, AND DARKNESS INTO LIGHT
The first impulse of Marina's preservers was to escape as quickly as possible from their awful surroundings. The spell that had held them in that vicinity was broken. They had snatched one victim from the jaws of death, and now they must remove her beyond reach of further danger. Instinctively they headed their canoe in the direction of the little hut, on the opposite side of the lake, that had for so long been their home. They had not gone far when, as though moved by a single impulse, both stopped paddling at the same instant.
"It is no longer possible that we should go back," said the old man.
"For we should be taking another into slavery," continued the old woman.
"Nor would we return to slavery for ourselves, even if there were no other."
"It is certain that we would not," agreed the wife.
"But whither shall we fly?" asked the old man, irresolutely.
"Ask the child; since she called on the son of Tlahuicol for aid she must be of our friends, and also she must be possessed of wisdom."