“If the sunlight should be withheld from the earth all life would soon come to an end. Nothing could live in the cold and everlasting darkness.” “Oh! Such a calamity must not befall us.” “Then follow my instructions to the letter. Will you?” “I swear it. My own beloved brother, whom I trust in all things, shall be assigned to this mission. His faithfulness cannot be questioned.” “Good. Now we might as well start back. My companion is waiting, and we must get past the guards before daylight comes or they would recognize me.” “Yes, and that would spoil everything. I can hardly wait to see if you are really such wonderful magicians, or if you have been deceiving me.” “Soncco,” Stanley said with a note of pleading in his voice, “do everything exactly as Quizquiz has commanded. If he should suspect anything he might remove you from your position, where you can help us and--yourself. Be patient. Continue to trust us. And you will not be disappointed in the end.” “Now what do you want?” rather testily. “Nothing right now. But if we should need you again we shall let you know. How about this cord? Do you expect me to walk back like this?” Soncco removed the thong from Stanley’s ankle and the two started away at a fast walk. They passed through the guard-lines without trouble. Stanley returned the borrowed garments to the waiting man, and then the latter, led by the aged amauta, departed. CHAPTER XV THE TERROR OF DARKNESS AT MIDDAY Ted and Stanley slept little during the night preceding that fateful day. And, to Ted’s occasional questioning, Stanley could only repeat that he thought his record of the time correct; however, there was no way of finding out for a certainty. The morrow alone would tell. The camp was astir early. Groups of musicians struck up tunes on reed instruments accompanied by the deep roll of drums. The wailing of the flutes seemed to carry a mournful note, an ominous message in its very monotony. But, when singers joined in the music, their shrill voices rising and falling in gay cadence, it changed its tenor and was more like the celebration of some joyous festival than the beginning of a day of torture and life-taking. How pitiless these people were, how devoid of all compassion! Downtrodden and suffering though they were, they made an outward show of rejoicing at the ill fortune of others.