The man hesitated. His demeanor was so humble and he appeared so downcast that the two were sorry for him.
“I will take it all back,” Stanley apologized, holding out his hand. “You are as courageous as any one I have ever seen.”
“Do you not know me?” The man came a few steps nearer and turned his face full into the moonlight. “Look into my face. I am Quizquiz!”
“Quizquiz!” both the Americans exclaimed in astonishment.
“Yes.”
“Impossible.”
“Look closely! Now do you recognize me?” He came still nearer and quietly submitted to their scrutiny.
“As I live, it is Quizquiz, but it cannot be the one we knew.” Stanley could hardly believe his eyes. “The Quizquiz who was king was treacherous, cruel, cowardly, and bloodthirsty; the person who stands before us has proved by his actions to-night that he does not know fear, at least, and such valor must have other noble qualities for companions.”
“The same body, but not the same spirit, stands before you. Yesterday I was king, with all the evil traits you mentioned, and more too. To-day, I rank with the lowliest—I am nobody in the sight of men, but I have found my true self. That is worth all it cost.”
“Tell us, how did you get into the crater?”