These had been warlike, and it was proposed to kill all of Alarcon's party to prevent the others from gaining a knowledge of this country.

But the old man declared Alarcon to be the son of the sun and took his part.

Finally it was decided to ask him whether he were a Christian or the son of the sun.

Alarcon pretended great wonder at men like himself being at Cibola, but they assured him it was true, as two men who had come from there reported that they had beards and guns and swords just the same.

Alarcon still insisted that he was the son of the sun.