“We’ll help to drive them away,” declared Archie, enthusiastically.
Paul was thoughtful.
“How much of a fighting force can you command?” he asked.
“The Public Guardians have always been sufficient for our purposes,” said Ama. “They number one hundred and are commanded by the Waba Pagatka. But I think every man in the valley will willingly fight to protect us from our foes.”
“Who leads the miners?” was his next question.
“Their chief, a Tcha named Ampax.”
“Send for him, and also for Pagatka,” he requested.
She dispatched messengers at once.
Pagatka came first and saluted the High Priestess with his usual deference.
“Gather all your men,” said Ama, “and take them to the opening the earthquake has made in the mountain. You are to guard us against the Itzaex, who will attack us early in the morning.”