The act was such a startling one that they threw themselves on the ground in terror.
"The Great Spirit told me that you lied, and he is about to come out of the stone and consume you. He will follow you everywhere unless you go to the Tuolos at once and tell them that the Great Spirit has told you to give up the captives, and to never again kill any of them. You must tell them we have been sent to make them our friends, and that if they do not follow this advice we will punish them."
The Krishnos cringed before John. It was obvious to the surrounding warriors that the words they had heard had an ominous import, and they saw how feeble were the devices of the so-called[p. 96] wise men when pitted against the knowledge of John.
John assumed a most tragic attitude, as he slowly raised his arm and pointed with his finger to the savage village. "Go," he said, "and bring back to me the answer before the morning sun comes up."
They hesitated. "Do you fear to go? Are the wise men cowards? Did the Great Spirit tell you to fear the Tuolos? Shall we go and sacrifice all your people?"
"They will not believe us; they will kill us."
"Then they, too, know you have lied to them. If you remain here you will not be safe, because the great light might destroy you."
Then turning to Muro he said: "Take these men to their village, and see that they are forced to meet their chiefs," and with an imperious air he turned from them.
Muro's warriors were not too gentle with them. The spell of savage witchcraft had been broken. John and all of them knew it. They were hustled forward in the darkness, and as they approached the village Muro told them to advise the chiefs in his presence what John had said.
Muro and the warriors, with the loaded guns, remained at a safe distance, and the Krishnos entered the village. They waited in silence for more than an hour, and then a commotion was noticed, which grew more intense as the voices increased in volume.