Then the kneeling man arose and spoke in Castilian.
“It is good,” he said. “It is done,” but he did not lift his eyes from the ground. The task of some prayer was yet unfinished––and he turned again towards his home and walked swiftly and the horse followed him until Juan Gonzalvo caught it and gave careful heed to the stricken foot, and could see no sign where the swelling should be.
“It is big medicine,” said the Te-hua men. “Now our brothers, the strangers have seen that our god is strong and our men to work are strong.”
“It is sorcery of the devil,” said Juan Gonzalvo. “Some medicine he had in his hands––some medicine we could not see. No physician in all Europe has skill to cure by such magic. Is it like that a naked savage should know more than the learned professors?”
“No:––it is not to be believed,” assented Don Ruy––“but thanks to the Saints it is true for all that!––and that silent youth is after all Tahn-té the Cacique!”
“No––” said Padre Vicente with decision––“the sooner that office is no longer his the sooner do we arrive at that which brought us here. That is Tahn-té the worker in accursed red magic––Tahn-té the sorcerer!”