Yet, as she paused breathless, the old war-chief ventured to face her, returning a stern reply.

This disregard of her temper so imparted courage to the others that they rallied about their leader as one man, numerous hoarse voices supplementing his protest, until it was plain to be seen that the woman remained alone and unsupported against the savage crew.

Yet the lines of determination but deepened in her face, her lips curled in scorn, and she turned from them to look down where we were huddled in despair.
A moment her flashing eyes swept across our upturned faces, the howls of her opponents growing fiercer on every side.

With one imperious gesture she commanded silence, and, as the gruff voices died away in muttered discontent, the woman addressed us, speaking a clear, pure Spanish, making use now and then of words unknown to me.
"Prisoners, can any among you interpret my speech ?" I caught my breath in glad surprise, struggling to my feet, and making haste to answer.
"If you speak slowly," I said, "I shall be able to understand." "'Tis well, as it is a tongue unknown to these Indians," her eyes lighting up with cunning.

"Then, Senor, mark with care what I say, and, if the meaning of any escape your ears, bid me speak again, so no mistake be made." "It will give me great pleasure, O Queen." "I am the Daughter of the Sun," she interposed proudly, as if correcting my mode of address.