This was the word of the governor and it was the strongest word yet given for union. But the governor made it plain that he did not belong to the order holding secret of the sun symbol. The Po-Athun were the people who must decide these spirit things. He thought the hearts of the old men of that order were kind and soft for the strangers, but––the head of that order was Tahn-té, the Po-Athun-ho!
This gave pause for thought, every man who chose to go contrary to the will of Tahn-té, found himself well nigh helpless in the Indian land, his infernal 282 gods were so strong that the Castilians were none too eager to flout them, only Yahn Tsyn-deh seeing the crisis of things, crept to Juan Gonzalvo and whispered,
“You hate the Po-Athun-ho––and you say love words to me. You think you want me?”
Juan Gonzalvo was a blunt soldier who had never before been kept at the distance of Tantalus by an Indian girl who took his gifts. On her brown neck a silver necklace of his shone richly, and in her braided hair corals of the sea gleamed red. While others had fled to the altars for prayers,––and sprinkled sacred pollen to the Go-hé-yahs––the mediators between earth and spirit world––Yahn had bathed in the river and made herself beautiful with Castilian gifts and barbaric trinketry.
To the man who measured her with eager eyes, she looked beautiful as the Te-hua goddess of whom she had told him––Ta-ah-quea who brings the Spring.
He told her so while he devoured her with his glances.
“Good!” she said. “You give me love, and you hate the Po-Athun-ho. You can have us both if your heart is brave this night.”
His arms would have clasped her for that promise, but she eluded him and laughed.
“Your Don Ruy tells you the Po-Athun-ho must have no harm,” she whispered, “but is there not among your men, one, maybe even three soldiers who are master of the bow,––and can destroy in silence?”
Gonzalvo was himself a master bowman––and had some pride in knowing it, also he could if need be, pick men of his company who had skill, and could be trusted.