Together they threw in clods, and uprose another man and womaji But this pair, Henry and Leoncia, could swim, and they swam side by side to the natural landing place, and, like the rest that had preceded them, passed on out of sight among the trees.
Long the two Indian girls lingered. For they had agreed to throw nothing, and, if something arose, then would coincidence be proved. But if nothing arose, because nothing further was by them evoked, they could only conclude that the magic was truly theirs. They lay hidden and w r atched the water until darkness hid it from their eyes; and, slowly and soberly, they took the trail back to their village, overcome by an awareness of having been blessed by the gods.
CHAPTER XXII
NOT until the day following his escape from the subterranean river, did Torres reach San Antonio. He arrived on foot, jaded and dirty, a small Indian boy at his heels carrying the helmet of Da Vasco. For Torres wanted to show the helmet to the Jefe and the Judge in evidence of the narrative of strange adventure he chuckled to tell them.
First on the main street he encountered the Jefe, who cried out loudly at his appearance.
"Is it truly you, Senor Torres?" The Jefe crossed himself solemnly ere he shook hands.
The solid flesh, and, even more so, the dirt and grit of the other's hand, convinced the Jefe of reality and substance.
Whereupon the Jefe became wrathful.
"And here I've been looking upon you as dead!" he exclaimed. "That Caroo dog of a JoseMancheno! He came back and reported you dead dead and buried until the Day of Judgment in the heart of the Maya Mountain."
"He is a fool, and I am possibly the richest man in Panama," Torres replied grandiosely. "At least, like the ancient and heroic conquistadores, I have braved all dangers and penetrated to the treasure. I have seen it. Nay-"