ceremonies being finished, there was silence for a while, till presently
a band of filthy priests entered at the far end of the chamber, clad
in their scarlet sacrificial robes. Blood was on them everywhere, their
long locks were matted with it, their hands were red with it, even their
fierce eyes seemed full of it. They advanced up the chamber till they
stood before the dais, then suddenly the head priest lifted up his
hands, crying aloud:

'Adore the immortal god, ye people,' and all those gathered there
prostrated themselves shouting:

'We adore the god.'

Thrice the priest cried aloud, and thrice they answered him thus,
prostrating themselves at every answer. Then they rose again, and the
priest addressed me, saying:

'Forgive us, O Tezcat, that we cannot honour you as it is meet, for our
sovereign should have been here to worship you with us. But you know,
O Tezcat, how sore is the strait of your servants, who must wage war in
their own city against those who blaspheme you and your brother gods.
You know that our beloved emperor lies wounded, a prisoner in their
unholy hands. When we have gratified your longing to pass beyond the
skies, O Tezcat, and when in your earthly person you have taught us the
lesson that human prosperity is but a shadow which flees away; in memory
of our love for you intercede for us, we beseech you, that we may smite
these wicked ones and honour you and them by the rite of their own
sacrifice. O Tezcat, you have dwelt with us but a little while, and now
you will not suffer that we hold you longer from your glory, for your
eyes have longed to see this happy day, and it is come at last. We have