Mamcuna then motioned us to draw nearer, and when we were within easy speaking distance she said something to Gondocori that sounded like a question or a command, on which he made a long and, as I judged from the vigor of his gesture and the earnestness of his manner, an eloquent speech.

I watched her closely and was glad to see that though she frowned once or twice during its delivery, she did not seem very angry.

I also observed that she looked at me much more than at the cacique, which I took to be a favorable sign.

The speech was followed by a lively dialogue between Mamcuna and the cacique, after which the latter turned to me and said, as coolly as if he were asking me to be seated: "The queen commands you to strip." "Commands me to strip! What do you mean ?" "What I say; you have to strip--undress, take off your clothes." "You are joking." "Joking! I should like to see the man who would dare to take such a liberty in the audience-chamber of our Great Mother.

Pray don't make words about it, senor.