"We have proof that the sacred mission has been fulfilled. By signs that cannot be doubted has it been shown that the spectre that brought desolation to the earth was slain by the magic arrow just seven settings of the sun past." "Seven settings of the sun ago the arrow was sent on its flight into the darkness; but where it struck I cannot tell." "On that night Choflo, who sent you, was slain by a great, spotted she-tiger which burst into his shelter and fought savagely to retain her prize even when assailed with spears and firebrands in the hands of those who would have rescued him. The monster had battled with men before, and knew their ways, for one ear was lacking, lost in a previous encounter. The law has been fulfilled. You have no next of kin upon which vengeance could fall for your deed in slaying the Black Phantom; therefore, Choflo, who sent you, paid the penalty." Agoo did not know it but it was Suma who had avenged her Warruk. "Speak, Agoo, are these tidings true?" Oomah asked. "There is even more. Scarcely had Choflo died than a blanket of dark clouds rolled across the heavens and rain fell throughout the night. Tumwah had been appeased. We are saved. The earth is saved. And you, Oomah, shall be rewarded and honored above all men." The Patocos stood about in a spell-bound group. "If this youth speaks truly, why has not the rain fallen here?" one asked. "Our yuca fields are parched and the animals of the forest are disappearing. Soon we will die of starvation." "I have spoken the truth," Agoo persisted. Then, pointing to the sky with both hands, he begged "Tumwah, send the rain-clouds here too. They do not believe that the Black Phantom has been slain. Why, see," he exclaimed suddenly, pointing to the East "even now the sky is overcast where the sun rises and soon the rain will fall upon you. Look, Oomah! They can ask for no other proof. Tumwah has come to save you." Just then shouts from the forest announced the coming of the hunters and before long the excited youths had filed into the village and joined the circle. "Now tell us what you found," the headman demanded. "Let your voice be clear and loud so that all may hear and understand. Did you find evidence that the first captive spoke the truth? His companion too says strange things. Either the one is a great hunter who has fulfilled a sacred mission, or both are spies and shall be dealt with before the setting of another sun." One of the youths who had just returned stepped into the circle. "These many days we searched the forest and the sandbars, but found nothing," he said impressively. "So we returned." A hush had fallen upon all. Even the women and children peeping out of the palm-leaf hovels stopped their chatter and looked with wide-open eyes. [Illustration: "Tumwah, send the rain-clouds here"] "Build the fires!" the headman ordered. "I suspected treachery from the very beginning."