As we came a great cry rose from the thousands of the people, a fierce cry like that of wild beasts howling for their prey.

Higher and higher it rose, a sound to strike terror into the bravest heart, and by degrees I caught its purport.
'Kill them!' said the cry.

'Give the liars to the Teules.' Otomie stepped forward to the edge of the platform, and lifting the ebony sceptre she stood silent, the sunlight beating on her lovely face and form.

But the multitude screamed a thousand taunts and threats at us, and still the tumult grew.

Once they rushed towards her as though to tear her to pieces, but fell back at the last stair, as a wave falls from a rock, and once a spear was thrown that passed between her neck and shoulder.
Now the soldiers who had carried me, making certain that our death was at hand, and having no wish to share it, set my litter down upon the stones and slipped back into the palace, but all this while Otomie never so much as moved, no, not even when the spear hissed past her.