The situation was a tense one to the entire party, and John moved forward, placing himself directly in front of them.
"Do you think the Great Spirit can prevent us from punishing you? If you do not answer immediately I will call on him to lay stripes on you. Do you answer?"
He stepped back slowly, and then suddenly spoke out the warning signal that he had arranged with Muro, and instantly six of the most powerful Saboros sprang upon them and bound them together face to face. John stood there with arms folded. He raised a hand, and two of the warriors raised the supple and toughened twigs, and brought them down on their bare backs.
It was all done with such wonderful celerity and precision that it astounded the circle of warriors beyond measure, and the effect was doubly so to the two Krishnos. John had staged this to produce the greatest effect. The Krishnos were bound with their heads side by side, and a cloth put over their heads, so that they had no knowledge who their tormentors were.
They danced about, and in their shrieks called out imprecations on their enemies, but soon, as the blows continued, begged for mercy, and Muro signaled them to cease.
The cloth was removed and John again addressed them. They again persevered in their silence, and at a motion the cloth was again placed over their heads.
Before the second chastisement began they yielded and the cords were released.
"You see the Great Spirit did not come to your assistance. Why were you going to the village?"
"To tell the chiefs not to yield to you."