There were enough who understood his words to translate them to those ignorant of Spanish, and the immediate effect produced on these people, vacillating by nature, ever ready to yield to the strongest personality that appealed to them, was not far from that intended. Spears, knives, blowguns were brandished, a score or more men leaped forward uttering cries of triumph--and again the attack planned by Raoul seemed fairly under way and with a reasonable prospect of success. It was checked--but only for an instant--by a clamorous protest from Miranda. The latter, blazing with indignation, bounded to the front, gesticulating and menacing all who were within his reach. "He is one canaille, this fellow!" he shouted. "He fight with the womens. He take from you all you have. Do not be estupid. He lie! He lie!" This outburst astonished more than it convinced those to whom it was addressed. As Miranda spoke in a mixture of English and Spanish, scarcely any one understood what he said. In another moment he would have been swept derisively aside, had not Sajipona quietly interposed. Pointing at Raoul, she spoke a few words to the cavemen in their native tongue. Then she turned to the man whose armed presence at the doors of her palace, threatened her authority, if not her life. "So! This is the man who, a short time ago, I saved from death at the hands of an angry mob!" she said scornfully. "You did not come to my house then, Don Raoul, as you come now. And yet--if I order these men, whom you think are your followers, to treat you as that other mob would have treated you, they would obey me. Be sure of that! And now, tell me: what have you done with Anitoo?" Raoul hesitated a moment, then answered sullenly: "He attacked me. I killed him in self-defense." The reply was only half understood by the cavemen; but the attitude of Raoul, contrasted with the majestic bearing and composure of Sajipona, had already aroused their indignation. "It may have been, as you say, in self-defense--I have only your word for it. But, for the treachery, the rebellion you have brought here," the queen went on, "by all the laws of our kingdom you should die. But I have something I wish you to do. If you do it, your life will be spared and you will be taken in safety from this cave never to enter it again." Sajipona checked the tumult that she saw rising among the cavemen, and spoke a few words to them. "I have told them," she explained, turning to Raoul, "that I knew of your coming--as I did. I have told them I have something for you to do before you are expelled from our kingdom. And I have pledged my word for your safety--although none of the men you have led here against me seem to care what happens to you. And now you will come with me."