I caught his eye fixed on the rubies, and in it I read only a devouring greed.

It flashed through my mind that Laputa had a foe in his own camp, and the Prester's collar a votary whose passion was not that of worship.
The next thing I remember was a movement among the first ranks.

The chiefs were swearing fealty.

Laputa took off the collar and called God to witness that it should never again encircle his neck till he had led his people to victory.

Then one by one the great chiefs and indunas advanced, and swore allegiance with their foreheads on the ivory box.
Such a collection of races has never been seen.