"And as for being brave and clever, I only repeated what Soa taught me like a parrot; you see I knew that I should be killed if I made any mistake, and such knowledge sharpens the memory.

All I have to say is, if the Snake they talk so much about is anything like those which are tattooed upon the old priests' breasts, I have no wish to make a nearer acquaintance with it.

I hate snakes.

There, don't say any more"-- for both Leonard and Francisco were breaking out into fresh protestations of gratitude and admiration; "if you want to thank anybody, thank Soa!" "And so I do," said Leonard heartily, for his spirits had risen in a most wonderful manner.

"Soa, you have told us the truth, and you have managed well and I thank you." "Did you then take me for a liar ?" the woman answered, fixing her gloomy eyes upon Leonard's face.