“It cannot be,” said Tamaque firmly; “command me to do any thing but that.”
“I command you to do that,” replied the conjurer, “or I will call down confusion on your war-party.”
“I tell you,” said Tamaque fiercely, “they shall not die. Say no more about it.”
“Obstinate man!” said the conjurer, “you dare not disobey me. They shall die, and you shall kindle the fire beneath them.”
Tamaque now sprang forward and seized the conjurer by the throat. “Villain!” he exclaimed, “I warned you to speak of that no more. Name it again, and I will toss you headlong down the mountain.”
Finding that Tamaque could not be overawed, the wily conjurer now changed his tactics.
“You might safely spare them,” he said, “on one condition; but I dare not name it.”
“Go on,” said Tamaque, “you have nothing to fear, if you do not speak of their death.”
“The anger of Tamaque is dangerous,” continued the conjurer; “and who can tell what words will rouse it?”
“No, no!” said Tamaque mildly, “I will hear you patiently; and if you require me even to leap down this dizzy precipice, I’ll obey you.”