Roger the Bold: A Tale of the Conquest of Mexico

by F. S. Brereton

  CHAPTER XIV

  Roger is true to his Comrades

  Roger and his guard of Spaniards marched out of the presence of FernandoCortes in silence, the eyes of all following, some showing pity, someadmiration of the bravery of the youth who could thus, alone amidstenemies, face his captor so boldly. As for the generalissimo, his scowlleft him as the doorway and its curtain intervened between him and hiscaptive, and he turned an inquiring eye upon his comrades.

  "Will he yield? And does he know aught of the disc?" he demanded curtly.

  "Nothing of the disc, I think," answered a bearded warrior dressed inhis full battle array. "He has an open face, this tall lad, and helooked straight into your eye as he answered. As for yielding, the painof torture might make him speak. But then, who is there here who can saythat he himself would not give a secret if there were those in powerover him able to work their fell will on his poor body? Even strong mencall out under those circumstances, though they do not always tell thetruth. But we would fain treat the lad with gentleness. He is a finegrown young man, and the English are not our enemies at home."

  "Nor is he the leader out here with this wild-goose expedition,"exclaimed Cortes. "Still, he knows of Mexico, and lives may be saved andthe task made lighter. Between us and an easy success lies hisconscience. It must be salved, and if fear will not cause him to alterhis determination, then we will see what other methods will bring about.I do not like it, this torture, my friends; but, then, should the manysuffer for this one? Let him be taken to the hanging to-morrow, and wewill see what his frame of mind is when his hour comes. It will be easyfor us to grant a reprieve, and that may cause him to give way."

  Meanwhile Roger was marched through the streets of the town of Tlascala,the captain leading, and the guard about their prisoner. Not a wordpassed between them till they arrived at a large building of one story,placed close to the wall. It had a single door on the side which facedthe street, and through this the party entered. They passed to the farside of the dwelling, and came to an open courtyard, about which wereset walls of great height.

  "This is your prison for to-day," said the captain. "Fall out, theguard, and retire to the doorway. Now, Senor Roger de Luce, if that isthe correct name, I have a request to make. You speak Spanish?"

  "Since I was a boy," answered Roger, with a faint smile.

  "And you heard our chatter when we rode into the town? You listened toour tale?"

  "The one which now runs round the town? Yes, I heard it. It meets theoccasion well."

  "It would go hard with us if the right story were to be known. Will youkeep silent till after to-morrow? Then----"

  He shrugged his shoulders, pulled off his helmet, and ran his roughsleeve across his perspiring forehead.

  "It is only for a little while," he said lamely. "Will you promise?"

  "Gladly, on certain conditions. You have a tongue, and can speak. Afterto-morrow it can matter nothing to you or any one whether I knew or not.Will you tell me of my comrades? A bargain is a bargain. My silence foryour news."

  Fortunately for Roger the Spaniard had no fine feelings on the matter.This news concerning the English was common knowledge to all in thetown, and therefore might be safely told to the prisoner. It would be acheap price at which to buy his silence.

  "I agree," he said. "And you promise?"

  "I give my word. Your tale is safe."

  "Then the English ship was captured. She is but a puny brigantine, andour vessels overhauled her in a light wind. A shot hulled her, and asecond brought down a mast. She fell a captive, and the master and creware prisoners here. 'Tis said that they would have been hanged longsince were it not for the disc, though what value, save for its gold,there can be in the thing I cannot say. Still, 'tis whispered thatFernando Cortes keeps life within their bodies for one purpose, and thatthey will dwell in captivity here till the city of Mexico is taken andthe nation is quelled. Then they will die, without doubt; for in comingto Spain's preserves you and your comrades have courted and earned yourdeath. That is the tale. You know now what has happened."

  "But are they here, in this town?" demanded Roger.

  The captain looked suspiciously at him, and pulled thoughtfully at hisbeard.

  "It can do no harm," he murmured. "The youth is as secure as a bird in acage, and there is but till to-morrow. They are here," he said aloud.

  "Where?" asked Roger, quietly. "Surely it will not matter if I know."

  "I will tell you. I admire your courage, and you are a good fellow tokeep this matter to yourself. They are within this very building. It isthe prison, and on the far side of the wall are the English prisoners."

  The Spaniard nodded carelessly to the wall on his right, and turned togo.

  "You have heard," he said, "and I can trust you. Then I will leave.To-morrow----"

  "At six of the clock we shall meet again," answered Roger, coolly.

  He stood looking after the Spaniard till the latter had gone, and thenslowly crossed the wide courtyard till he reached the shade beyond,where he threw himself down at full length. For the first time he had anopportunity of reflecting upon his position, and its seriousnessimpressed him now with all its intensity. He was a captive, with enemiesall about him, and death promised at sunrise on the following morning.But he could escape that fate if he spoke and told this Fernando Corteswhat had happened in Mexico. It would be so easy to speak about thelances, the men who had been trained to use them, and the hundreds whohoped to wield a similar weapon when the siege became an accomplishedfact. Then there were the soldiers with the crossbow. These men could,with their own bows and arrows, hit an ear of corn when tossed into theair, and strip it of every grain ere it reached the ground, providedthere were a sufficient number of them. With the new bow they had soonmade excellent practice, as the captain of horse had discovered. Rogerremembered that the dent had caught his eye not a minute before, and hadcaused him to feel a sense of pride and pleasure. How easy to whisper aword of these men, to speak of the defences outside, of the hiddencanoes, and of the men with poles and hooks. And he had known theMexicans for so short a time, and--and his life was at stake.

  "Pooh! They would hang me later on with my comrades if not to-morrow,"he exclaimed aloud, rising to his feet and stalking backwards andforwards as if his thoughts had given him cause for vexation. "And,besides, friends are friends, and I will not be the one to tell taleseven for such a stake. This Cortes shall find things out for himself,and discover that an English lad is not so easily frightened."

  Having made up his mind on the matter, he gave it scarcely anotherthought, though it is not to be wondered at that his impending endweighed upon his mind. But Roger had been closer to death. He had lookedthe scarlet-robed priest in the face, and had seen the glint of theobsidian blade which he carried. And he had been within a few feet ofthe hideous altar on which the sacrifice was laid. Why should he falternow? Let him think of his comrades, of the brigantine, and of Tamba andTeotlili.

  "They will attempt a rescue," he said to himself. "I am sure of that,and the fact of their pursuing shows how earnest they are. Tamba willnever rest till I am dead, and then he will become worse than an enemyto these Spaniards. I shall wait for the night, and shall not give uphope till the morning dawns. I wish I could reach Sir Thomas and Philipand old Peter Tamworth. It would be nice to look on his face again."

  The thought sent him to the wall, on the far side of which the Spanishcaptain had told him that Sir Thomas and his comrades lay, and heinspected it carefully. It was built of dried mud, and presented asmooth surface some twenty feet in height. Clearly the task ofclambering to the top was out of the question. And, besides, his guardswould discover the action, and there would be trouble.

  "All depends on their posts," said Roger, thoughtfully. "The men whobrought me here seem to have marched away again, and I have seen no one.I will stroll to the doorway and watch."

  He moved slowly across the square, inspecting the walls and the tiledflooring, till he came to the
doorway which gave access to the longpassage-way leading to the street beyond. There was a dark figurestanding in the sunlight, and he bore a javelin of native manufactureover his shoulder. A second native joined him at that moment, whilewithin a few minutes Roger caught sight of others. It was clear that theguard was composed of allies alone, and that they considered the wallsof the square sufficient protection against escape. The doorway was theonly exit, and they filled that, while in the space of ten or moreminutes some hundreds of natives passed along the street.

  "They seem to have made up their minds to leave me alone," thoughtRoger. "But I should like something to eat. I will call, and ask forfood and water."

  He strolled into the passage, and called softly to the sentry, using thefew Aztec words with which he was acquainted.

  "Bring me food and drink," he said. "I am hungry, and have beentravelling since early morning."

  The sentry turned at once, and bowed respectfully, while he called to acomrade. The latter soon appeared, bearing some meat and fruit, and avessel filled with native wine. He, too, paid his prisoner markedattention.

  "The orders are that you shall have all that you require," he said infair Spanish. "Does my lord need anything more? A knife, perhaps, withwhich to cut this meat?"

  Roger was astounded, and looked at the man closely. A knife! Why, withthat he might effect an escape. But he had hardly had time to expressastonishment when the man's tone suddenly changed, though he was stillpolite.

  "This is the meal," he said, "and I have orders to supply your wants. Iwill return within a few minutes, and see how you are faring."

  He placed the dish on the ground in a shady corner, and turned to leave.Then, for the first time, Roger noticed that the sentry had softlycrept through the passage, and stood at the doorway looking on. He madeway for the attendant to pass, and as the latter slipped by him, Rogernoticed a swift movement of his hand. It went to his lips, and he shotan expressive glance at the prisoner.

  "Strange," thought Roger, as he sat down to his meal, and commenced toeat, without taking notice of the sentry. "That was a signal. But theman is dressed in the uniform of these Tlascalan allies of Spain. Can hebe a friend? Can Teotlili have come here already, and set the wheels inmotion which may lead to my rescue?"

  It was impossible to answer the question, though a signal had certainlybeen given. Roger could scarcely swallow the food owing to excitement,for now that the merest thought of rescue had come to mind, he realizedthe awful position he was in, and the dread fate awaiting him. Spaniardswere reputed to have little mercy, and he had lived in their country,and knew that the tale was true.

  "I will watch the attendant carefully," thought Roger, "and speak to himif I have an opportunity. I can see the door and some little way intothe passage from here, and by moving a little to one side, I shall beable to keep an eye on the street beyond, for the sun strikes full intoit, and it is brilliant. Then I can tell whether the sentry is coming ornot. Yes, and I'll take no notice of the attendant, though I will speakto him."

  He ate his meal rapidly, and took a draught of wine. Then he lolled onhis side, and as if unable to obtain complete comfort, moved a few feetaway, till he could see into the street. Then he yawned as the sentrylooked in, stretched his arms, and finally lay down on his face, buryinghis head in his arms. But he gradually shifted the position of his head,and at length lay in such a position that he seemed to be sleeping whilehe really kept watch on the door. A little later the attendant entered,and Roger saw him make the same signal again, and saw also that thenative realized that he was pretending sleep. He crossed the squareleisurely, and when he had arrived at the vessel which contained wine,he stooped to pick it up. At that moment the sentry happened to glancein, and Roger saw him laugh as the attendant slipped and fell fulllength. He watched for a moment as the man picked himself up, and thenresumed his beat, as if satisfied that the fall was the result ofaccident. But his sharp eye had failed to detect a quick movement. Asthe man fell, a steel dagger had tumbled from his belt, where it washidden beneath his cotton tunic, and an accidental touch of his hand hadsent it close to Roger. Our hero's hand went out slowly as the sentryturned away, and in a moment the weapon was concealed, while theattendant was busily engaged in brushing the dust of his fall from hislimbs and clothing.

  "You are a friend. What is the news?" demanded Roger, in low tones.

  "A rescue to-night, in the far corner. Be ready, my lord."

  The man turned to the corner, so as to point it out, and burst into aroar of laughter, while he rubbed his shins energetically. Roger glancedat the doorway, and saw the reason for such strange conduct, for thesentry was there again, and had advanced some little way into thepassage. However, the action of the attendant was so natural that nosuspicion was aroused.

  "The clumsy fellow!" said the sentry, with a grunt. "He will break hishead one of these days, and will not get off so lightly. Ah! The giant,who our enemies say is the long-expected god of air, is angry at beingaroused. I would not encounter his wrath for anything, for doubtless hispowers are great. Did he not go to the foot of the altar, and theredefeat priests and nobles alike?"

  It was evident that Roger had adherents even in the enemy's camp, and,to tell the truth, although these native allies hated the Mexicansbecause of the taxes imposed, and because of their overbearing mannersin former years, yet their beliefs were the same, though they did notperhaps practise the human sacrifice to such an extent. Still, theirdeities were common to the Mexicans, and they, too, had looked for thecoming of this mythical god of air. Secretly they thought much of Roger,and grieved at the thought of his coming execution.

  Meanwhile Roger had acted his part with swiftness and discretion. He hadreplied to the rude laughter of the attendant with a scowl and withseemingly angry words, and so well did he play his _role_ that thesentry turned on his heel and marched down the street, to relate themisfortune which had happened to the attendant. It was, in fact, awelcome episode in the long and weary duty of acting sentry.

  "Who will come?" demanded Roger. "And who are you?"

  "My lord Teotlili and a servant. There will be more besides. As for me,I am a friend to the Spaniards, or was till this last week. Hush! Theyhave taken my wife and my daughter from me, and I will therefore leavethem. To-night, my lord, and in that corner."

  "Wait," said Roger, eagerly, while he curled himself up as if about toseek sleep once more. "What of the other English prisoners? They must berescued."

  "Impossible, my lord. The town swarms with natives and with Spaniards.Escape for you is well-nigh out of the question. For many it ishopeless."

  "Listen," said Roger, sternly, as he buried his head in his arms again,as if he had done with the man. "These comrades of mine must be rescued.Bid Teotlili make arrangements to take them also. Say that it is my wishand my order, and that unless it is carried out I do not take advantageof their efforts. Now go. I shall be ready to-night when the time comes,but only if the others are taken also."

  It was almost comical to watch the attendant's expression as the wordsreached his ear, strange words, too, for who amongst the natives everheard of such a proposal? Here was a young man, condemned to die atsunrise, and he declined to be rescued unless comrades received helpalso. It was sheer madness, ingratitude almost to those who were takingsuch risks for him, and who well might fall victims themselves. His chindropped, his eyes opened to the fullest extent of the lids, and hestared at Roger spellbound.

  "Fool! The sentry will suspect," said our hero, sharply. "You heard themessage and my determination. Then go, and bring me more food later on.I shall be hungry before the night comes, and a hungry man is weak.Besides, you may have news."

  He shut his eyes as if already asleep, and when the sentry again passedthe doorway he observed the prisoner lying still in the shade, and theattendant bearing the jar and the remains of the repast away, lookingruefully at his shins as he came.

  "A clumsy fall," remarked the sentry. "In the days of Mexican power atumble li
ke that in the presence of so great a man might have led totrouble."

  "It has done so now, comrade," was the answer. "My lord was asleep, andscolded me. But I am forgiven, though I cannot easily excuse myself.However, he sleeps again, and will continue to do so. It is a farcesetting a watch over him when there are so many of us about and thewalls are so high."

  The sentry evidently cordially approved of this statement, for hecontinued his beat, grumbling at the task, at the heat of the sun, andat the fate which had set him there, pacing aimlessly up and down, whenhe might have been in his own house enjoying the society of his wife andchildren. As for the attendant, he sauntered along the street, carryingthe jar, till he came to the end of the building, where he turned into alow doorway. Within he deposited the jar, and then stole softly to theback of the house. A flight of stone steps led to the roof, where therewas a tower, and he proceeded to clamber to the summit of it. Once onthe roof, he kept in a crouching position, and gradually raised his headto an aperture in the surrounding wall. There was a tower on anotherdwelling some yards away, and a man occupied that also, one of hiscomrades by his dress. But he, too, made every effort to keep away fromthe observation of those in the street below, and, beyond signalling hispresence to his comrade who had just appeared, made no movement. Fiveminutes later, however, when the street was empty, and no one seemed tobe approaching, he put his hands to his mouth, and called softly to hiscomrade, his voice easily penetrating to the other tower.

  "What fortune?" he demanded in Spanish, and in tones which strangelyresembled those of Tamba. "Is my lord well and unharmed? Speak, for ifhe has been hurt I will go at once to do the bidding of Teotlili. I willseek for this Malinche, and will throw myself on him, and slay him withmy dagger."

  His eyes blazed as he said the words, and he rose till the whole of hishead was visible.

  "Hush! Be cautious. You will ruin all, and we shall be tortured,"answered the attendant, fretfully, and with an anxious glance down thestreet. "Such an attempt would cause us both to be killed. I will nothelp you, and if you threaten to perform such a reckless act I will havenothing more to do with your party."

  "Then you will make friends once more with the Spaniards. You will fawnupon and lick the hands of these wretches who have taken your wife andchild. Listen, and I will tell you my tale. I am from Cuba, where theseSpaniards came, as they have come to you, with fair promises and withwelcoming smiles. We formed an alliance with them at first, till it wastoo late. Then we became their slaves, while our wives and children weresnatched from us. Our miseries were so great that thousands hangedthemselves. That is what you will do. Is it better to risk death now, orto wait for slavery and for the misery which is certain to follow? Go toyour masters. Tell them that they may have all that you love. We willfind others to help us."

  Indignation had roused Tamba thoroughly, while his anxiety for hismaster made him more than bitter. But he was a shrewd native, and longsuffering had taught him much. By speaking as he had done he broughtbefore the Tlascalan the full weight of the injury done him, and revivedhis bitterness and hatred. It was a masterly stroke, and at onceconverted the half-hearted native to the side of the Mexicans.

  "You are right," he said humbly. "I cannot take the hand of thesebarbarians again. I will help, even if it be in an attack upon Malinche.But my lord is not hurt. I have spoken to him, and he will be readyto-night; but----"

  "But what? Is he ill, or did he suffer a wound in the attack yesterday?"

  Again Tamba stretched far out of his hiding-place, till the franticsignal of the native caused him to sink back again.

  "He is well--have I not said so?" he called out testily. "But he willnot be rescued unless his comrades are taken. His message to Teotliliwas strict. If you come to-night, he will go only on condition that theothers are taken. Otherwise he will wait and be hanged."

  Tamba's dusky face went a pallid hue at the news, and this time he sankback on his knees as if some one had struck him a blow.

  "Not escape unless we can take the others!" he gasped. "It is like mymaster. He thinks always of his comrades."

  For a little while he was silent. Then he leaned forward again.

  "Go to the prisoner as soon as you can," he said, "and say that we willobey his wishes. An attempt will be made to take all from the prison."

  The signal passed again between the two, and they crept from theirperches, no one in the town of Tlascala having observed them. Some threeor four hours later the attendant went again to the prison, and havingbandied a few words with the sentry, entered with a dish of food andanother jar of wine. He found the prisoner still apparently asleep anddisinclined to be disturbed. But Roger was in fact wide awake, and hadbeen looking for the return of the native.

  "Have you news?" he demanded. "Will they follow my orders?"

  "To-night all will be rescued if that is possible," was the answer, asthe man set down the dish and the wine. "I have seen Tamba, my lord'sservant, and he has given the promise. To-night all who came to thiscountry in the ship which was recently taken by the Spaniards shall berescued. Let my lord look to the corner. He will find a cool spot therein which to sleep."

  There was a crafty smile on his face as he spoke, and he made the samesignal as formerly. Then having asked if Roger required anything more,he bowed to him and withdrew.

  "The prisoner will give you no trouble to-night," he said to the sentry,a new one by now, the other having been relieved. "He passes his time insleep and in eating. These white men are strange, for the thought ofdeath at sunrise has few fears for them."

  "Not for this tall god of air," was the answer. "A fine man, and fit tofill an honoured post! 'Tis a pity that he should be slain. But that isnot my business. I am thankful that he is peaceful, for were he to walktowards me and attempt to escape, I could not stop him. I could not evencast this javelin at him."

  "Have no fear. He is quiet," said the attendant. "You will beundisturbed."

  An hour or two later it began to get dark, and Roger, who had meanwhileeaten the food and taken the wine, dragged some native mats, suppliedfor a bed, into the corner, and there he threw himself down, hisposition enabling him to keep a watch on the summit of the wall, whereit cut clear and dark against the sky.

  "If they come I shall see them," he said. "I shall wait till aftermidnight, and if after that there is no sign of them, I shall try to cuta ladder in the wall."

  There was no use in being despondent, and therefore he lay there droningto himself, or thinking of his friends in England. Once he heard a stepbehind him, a silent stealthy step, and guessing that it was the sentry,spoke to him without turning his head.

  "Why do you creep in?" he asked quietly. "You disturb my slumbers.Retire at once and leave me."

  The man was astounded. He thought that he had made no sound, and it wasuncanny to be addressed by the prisoner when he had not even turned hishead.

  He bowed and went away apologizing for his suspicions, leaving Roger tohimself.

  "Hist! My lord! Tamba is above."

  It wanted yet some three hours to midnight when the words came softly toour hero's ears, and looking up he saw a dark outline crouching close tothe wall just above his head. Then the tinkle of some metal instrumentwas heard, and groping in the darkness his hand came in contact with asword. Thoughtful Tamba! He had taken pains at the very first to seethat his master was armed, believing that if the alarm were given he wascapable of escaping unaided. But the rope to which the sword wasattached was a stout one, made of soft cotton, and Roger guessed itspurpose, and grasped it with both hands. The sword he slipped into hisbelt, while he placed the blade of the dagger between his teeth.

  "Ready above?" he demanded softly. "Then hold on, for I am coming."