“It is but a cloud,” Villac Umu explained nervously, but his faltering words carried no conviction. “You lie! It is not a cloud. Command the shadow to retreat. Show your power. Use your magic. Do anything you wish to stop this terrible thing!” The high priest arose and stretched both arms heavenward. In one hand was a staff from which numerous charms dangled, in the other a rattle of dried seeds. He loudly berated the demons that dared thrust themselves in front of the sun, and commanded them to depart without delay. He shook his staff and rattled his charms at them, but the grayness rapidly deepened into gloom, and when the last vestige of light had disappeared his helplessness was apparent to all. Loud cries, first singly, then in chorus, were raised in terrible accusation. In the darkness it was impossible to see who spoke, and this gave the speakers courage to say what was on their minds, but Ted and Stanley recognized the voice of Soncco among the leaders. “Villac Umu is to blame for this; he said it could not happen, but it did, and now he is powerless to protect us. Kill him!” the mob shouted, and “Quizquiz shares in his guilt; he is not fit to be king, for he has betrayed us.” Then one solemn voice made itself heard above the multitude: “Stay in your places,” it shouted, “for you know not what new terror may overtake you if you move. Do nothing--yet. First beg the white man, who has shown you his power, to bring back the sunlight he has taken away, then----” A deafening crash cut short the words that came from Soncco’s lips. Then more crashes came, followed by roars and rumbles that shook the very ground beneath their feet. Ted and Stanley were nearly as much startled as were the others, for in the excitement of the moment they had completely forgotten the dynamite. “Now,” Stanley shouted, “let’s go.” With a start they snapped their chains and leaped to one side. Stanley rushed up to Soncco, who, too, seemed bewildered. “Silence the crowd,” he panted. “I have something to say that I want every one to hear.” Regaining his senses, Soncco blew shrill blasts upon a trumpet, but it was some time before the confusion subsided. Judging by the sounds, the majority of the people were either kneeling or had fallen to the ground in their terror. “You have seen and heard everything,” Stanley shouted at the top of his voice. “Now, what do you want? Choose between----” His words were drowned in the clamor that went up. “Kill Quizquiz and Villac Umu,” the thousands demanded, “and make the white man king. His companion shall be high priest. We ask nothing more than to be permitted to serve them as slaves for the remainder of our lives if they will but bring back the sunlight.” It was with the greatest difficulty that Soncco again silenced them.