I would speak with my servant, who is named Baas, and with my mother." "These are the words of the Snake that he speaks in the holy tongue," said Juanna, and she translated them.
The four priests rose, and bowing to the earth, crept backwards from the room.

So soon as they were gone, Otter leaped from his throne with an exclamation of rage that caused the others to burst out laughing.
"Laugh, Baas, laugh if you will!" said the dwarf, "for you have never been a god, and don't know what it is.

What think you, Baas ?--all night long I have sat upon that great stool, while those accursed dogs burnt stinking stuff beneath my nostrils and muttered nonsense.

One hour more and I should have fallen on them and killed them, for I have had no meat, and hunger makes me mad." "Hush!" said Leonard, "I hear footsteps! On to your throne, Otter! Quick, Juanna! stand by his side; we will kneel!" They had barely time to obey when the curtains were drawn, and a priest entered, holding a vessel of wood covered with a cloth.

Slowly he crept towards the throne, with his head bent almost to his knees; then, straightening himself suddenly, he lifted up the wooden vessel and cried aloud: "We bring you food, O Snake.