Then he passed to the great gates of the palace yard and looked through them.

The mist had lifted a little, and about a hundred paces away he could perceive the doors of the temple, on either side of which rose Cyclopean walls fifty feet or more in height.

It was obvious that here preparations for some ceremony were in progress, and on a large scale, for immense crowds of people were gathered about the doors, through which bodies of priests and armed men passed continually.
More he could not learn, for the gates of the palace yard were barred and guarded, and the soldiers would not let him through.

He stood by them watching till sunset, then returning to the others, he told them what he had seen.
Another hour passed, and suddenly the curtains were drawn aside and a body of priests entered, twelve in number, bearing large candles of fat in their hands, and headed by their chief, Nam.

Prostrating themselves before Juanna and Otter they remained plunged in silence.
"Speak on," said Juanna at length.
"We come, O Mother, and O Snake," said the priest Nam, "to lead you to the temple that the people may look upon their gods." "It is well; lead on," Juanna answered.
"First you must be robed, Mother," said Nam, "for without the temple none may look upon your divinity, save your priests alone." Rising as he spoke, he produced a black dress from a grass bag, which was carried by an attendant.