“She generally makes it very unpleasant for others. Her favorite punishment for offenders is roasting them before a slow fire.”
“And yet you propose to go on?”
“What else can we do? Going back the way we came is out of the question, equally so is climbing either of those mountain-ranges. If we stay hereabout we shall starve. We have not a morsel of food, and until we reach Pachatupec we shall get none.”
“And when may that be?”
“By this time to-morrow.”
“Well, let us go on, then; though, as between being starved to death and roasted alive, there is not much to choose. All the same, I should like to see this wonderful queen of whom you are so much afraid.”
“You would be afraid of her, too, and very likely will be before you have done with her. Nevertheless, you may find favor in her sight, and I have just bethought me of a scheme which, if you consent to adopt it, may not only save our lives, but bring you great honor.”
“And what is that scheme, Gondocori?”
“I will explain it later. This is no time for talk. We must push on with all speed or we shall not get to the boats before nightfall.”
“Boats! You surely don’t mean to say that we are to travel to Pachatupec by boats. Boats cannot float on a frozen mountain torrent!”