Now they were but a segment of a circle, for they did not advance towards the temple; backward and outward they went with a slow and solemn tramp.

There was but one line of them now, for those in the second ring filled the gaps in the first as it widened; still they drew on till at length they stood on the sheer edge of the platform.

Then the priests and the women leaders took their place among them and for a moment there was silence, until at a signal one and all they bent them backwards.

Standing thus, their long hair waving on the wind, the light of burning houses flaring upon their breasts and in their maddened eyes, they burst into the cry of: 'SAVE US, HUITZEL! RECEIVE US, LORD GOD, OUR HOME!' Thrice they cried it, each time more shrilly than before, then suddenly they were GONE, the women of the Otomie were no more! With their own self-slaughter they had consummated the last celebration of the rites of sacrifice that ever shall be held in the City of Pines.
The devil gods were dead and their worshippers with them.
A low murmur ran round the lips of the men who watched, then one cried, and his voice rang strangely in the sudden silence: 'May our wives, the women of the Otomie, rest softly in the Houses of the Sun, for of a surety they teach us how to die.' 'Ay,' I answered, 'but not thus.

Let women do self-murder, our foes have swords for the hearts of men.' I turned to go, and before me stood Otomie.
'What has befallen ?' she said.