I say that they must be killed instantly," and he drew a sword, and waved it.
Quick walked up to the fellow and clapped a pistol to his head.
"Drop that sword," he said, "or _you_'ll never hear the end of the story," and he obeyed, whereupon Quick came back.
Now Maqueda began to speak, quietly enough, although I could see that she was quaking with passion.
"These men are our guests," she said, "come hither to serve us.

Do you desire to murder our guests?
Moreover, of what use would that be?
One thing alone can save us, the destruction of the god of the Fung, since, according to the ancient saying of that people, when the idol is destroyed the Fung will leave their city of Harmac.

Moreover, as to this new prophecy of the priests of the idol, that before the gathering in of the harvest his head shall sleep above the plain of Mur, how can that happen if it is destroyed, unless indeed it means that Harmac shall sleep in the heavens.

Therefore what have you to fear from threats built upon that which cannot happen?
"But can _you_ destroy this false god Harmac, or dare _you_ fight the Fung?
You know that it is not so, for had it been so what need was there for me to send for these Westerns?
And if you murder them, will Barung thereby be appeased?
Nay, I tell you that being a brave and honourable man, although our enemy, he will become ten times more wroth with you than he was before, and exact a vengeance even more terrible.

I tell you also, that then you must find another Walda Nagasta to rule over you, since I, Maqueda, will do so no more." "That is impossible," said some one, "you are the last woman of the true blood." "Then you can choose one of blood that is not true, or elect a king, as the Jews elected Saul, for if my guests are butchered I shall die of very shame." These words of hers seemed to cow the Council, one of whom asked what would she have them do?
"Do ?" she replied, throwing back her veil, "why, be men, raise an army of every male who can carry a sword; help the foreigners, and they will lead you to victory.