By Right of Conquest; Or, With Cortez in Mexico

by G. A. Henty

  Chapter 15: Again At Tezcuco.

  Until a late hour in the night, Roger sat talking to Cacama and hisfamily. Although they had heard, from Bathalda, all that hadhappened from the time of their leaving Tezcuco to their arrival atTlascala, he had to go over it again. Bathalda had told them thatRoger had found a former acquaintance in Malinche, who was allpowerful with the white leaders; and Amenche asked many questionsconcerning her--how Roger had known her before, and for how long;what she was like, and why he applied to her, instead of goingstraight to the white general.

  "You have heard me speak of her before," Roger said, in answer tothe first question. "I told you that I had learned your languagefrom a Mexican slave girl, who was one of my attendants during thetime I was at Tabasco. She was with me the whole time I was there,and if it had not been for learning the language from her, andconversing with her, I do not know how I should have got throughthe time. I was sorry to leave her behind, and promised her that,if ever I got rich enough here, I would send and purchase herfreedom."

  "You seem to have taken a strange interest in a slave girl!"Amenche said.

  "It was natural that it should be so, Princess. I was little betterthan a slave, myself. At any rate I was a prisoner, and naturallytook to the one person who was kind to me. We were companions andfriends, rather than master and attendant; and directly I heardthat she was with Cortez, and had gained great influence with him,I naturally went to her."

  "Is she very beautiful?"

  "I used not to think her beautiful at all, when we were at Tabascotogether; but she has changed greatly during the months that havepassed since I saw her. Yes, I think she is certainly beautifulnow. But not so beautiful as others I have seen."

  "But why did you go to her?" the girl again persisted.

  "Because I cannot speak the language of the Spaniards; and it wasnecessary, for my safety, for them to believe that I am one ofthemselves, rescued from some Spanish ship cast, by a gale, ontheir shores when I was a little lad. Had I gone to Cortez direct,he would probably have guessed, from my dress and from my speakingthe language, that this was how I came to be here; but had I notseen Malinche before I saw him, she would have recognized me, andwould no doubt have told Cortez that she had known me from the timeI was cast ashore, near Tabasco, somewhat over two years ago. Hewould then have known that I could not be a Spaniard, for if so, Icould not in so short a time have lost my own language."

  Cacama now interposed, and asked many questions about Tlascala andits people.

  "Some of the Tlascalan princes and caziques gave their daughters aswives to the Spaniards, did they not?"

  "Six of them did so," Roger replied. "The ladies were firstbaptized into the Christian religion, and then married by thepriests to as many of the chief leaders of the Spaniards."

  "And what did you think of that?" Cacama asked.

  "I did not think much about it," Roger said; "for it was nobusiness of mine, but that of the ladies and their friends. It wascertainly a politic course, on the part both of Cortez and theTlascalans, and bound the alliance more closely together.

  "But methinks that, upon such work as the Spaniards are engaged in,a man were better without a wife, both for his sake and her own. Aman who goes into battle with no one but himself to think of maytake joy in the strife; for he knows that, if he falls, it makes novery great matter to anyone. But if he has a wife hard by, who willbe left a widow if he is slain, it must be ever present to himwhile he is fighting; and though he may not fight less stoutly, itmust cause him grievous anxiety, and take away the pleasure offighting."

  "You have already told us that the white men are good husbands,"the queen said.

  "I do not know that they are in any way better, in that respect,than your own people, Queen Maclutha. There are good and bad--menwho treat their wives well, and men who neglect them."

  "But you told us that they only had one wife, each," she said; "andthat even kings are kept to this rule, as well as their humblestsubjects."

  "That is so," Roger said. "One man one wife, whatever his rank.There is no occasion for the palaces of our king to be as extensiveas those of Montezuma."

  "And if these officers who have married here were to return home,and leave their wives behind them, could they not marry again?"

  "No," Roger said; "as the ladies have become Christians, and beenmarried according to the rites of the Church, they could not belawfully set aside."

  "And you have no wife in England, Roger Hawkshaw?" Cacama asked.

  Roger laughed merrily.

  "Why, I was but a boy when I left home; and as far as marriagegoes, I am but a boy still. We consider it young enough, if we takea wife at five and twenty; and I lack six years of that, yet."

  "You are a man," Cacama said gravely. "You are a man in size andstrength, and a man in courage; as you well showed, the other day,when you were attacked by numbers of our best soldiers. You arethoughtful and prudent. Years go for nothing. You are a man, andeven in years you are not, according to our customs, too young tomarry.

  "Now, tell me--we have heard much of that bad business atCholula--tell me, do you think that there was treachery on the partof the people, or was it a mere pretext of the Spaniards to fallupon the inhabitants, and sack the town?"

  "I am sure that treachery was intended," Roger said. "We learned itfrom three people, a lady and two priests; and the Cholula nobles,themselves, when taxed by Cortez with their intention to fall uponus, admitted that the accusation was true. Besides, the wholepeople were under arms and ready to attack, and poured out undertheir leaders to the assault, the moment the first gun told thattheir intentions were discovered. No, there is no doubt, whatever,that a general destruction of the white men was intended; andalthough the punishment inflicted was terrible, I cannot say thatit was not justified, under the circumstances.

  "Moreover, we knew that there was a Mexican army, lying but a shortdistance away, in readiness to enter the town and join in theattack against us."

  "It was a terrible error, as well as a crime on the part of theemperor, if it be true that he was concerned in it," Cacama said."If so, he took no one here into his counsel, but acted wholly onthe advice of the priests."

  "That is where the general considers the danger lies. He wouldtrust the caziques, for men of rank in whatever country arefaithful to their word, and do not pretend friendship when theymean hostility. Were Montezuma guided by them, there would be nofear of treachery; but as he has given himself to the priests, andthey can, by means of the oracles, persuade him to almost anything,Cortez feels that the danger is great."

  "Well now, we had better to rest," Cacama said, rising. "You are tostart with the first streak of light, so as to be back before thesun is high, and it is long past midnight now.

  "Cuitcatl, it would, I think, be well for you to accompany ourfriend. A rumor may have got abroad that he is again our guest, andthose who longed for his blood, before, may long for it again. Iwould not that he should cross the lake unattended."

  "I was about to propose doing so," the young noble said. "I knowthe priests, and can guess that, at present, a white victim is whatthey most of all desire. Therefore, I will certainly accompany himto Mexico."

  Roger and his Mexican friend were taken across the lake in a canoe,rowed by four strong men. It was one of the private canoes of thepalace, without the royal insignia; used for the conveyance ofmessengers, and built for speed. She took them across to thecapital in a very short time and, entering one of the canals,landed them close to the palace occupied by the Spaniards.

  The sentry at the gate was surprised at the height of the youngAztec chief who approached, and did not recognize him until hespoke. Even then he would not let him pass, until he called anofficer.

  "I have been absent by the order of the general," Roger said.

  "I have no doubt it is all right," the officer replied, "but I musttake you to him."

  Cortez had only just risen, for the hour was still very early, andthe sun was but now showing
himself over the mountains to the east.He was taking a cup of chocolate.

  "That is all right," he said to the officer, as soon as he sawRoger. "Sancho has been absent upon my orders."

  He then called Malinche from an adjoining room.

  "You are back earlier than I expected," he said, as soon as theinterpreter entered. "Have you any serious news?"

  "No, General. Cacama is himself friendly. He is unaware of anytreacherous designs on the part of the emperor, but admits that thesituation is a critical one, and that it is possible the influenceof the priests may again induce Montezuma to take a hostileaction."

  "Do you think we could count upon him as an ally?"

  "I think not, sir; although I have not as yet sounded him. Cacamahas been very badly treated by Montezuma, and he by no meansapproves of the emperor's conduct throughout this matter, but Ithink that his patriotism would overcome his sense of privatewrong. I can tell you more farther on. Cacama has invited me tostay with him, for the present, and I think I might be of more useto you there than here."

  "I think so, too," Cortez said; "and indeed, you have not yetentered my band regularly, like the rest. It is right that youshould have freedom of action, especially as you are the only manamong us who knows anything of the Mexicans; for even Marina knowsnothing of this side of the mountains."

  "Don't you think that you will run great risk in staying therealone?" Marina asked, on her own account.

  "Some danger, no doubt, Malinche; but I shall be on my guard, andCacama will take precautions for my safety. Even the priests wouldnot venture to seize me in his palace, and the Tezcucans are farless bigoted than the people of this city."

  "I do not think he will be in much greater danger there than hewould be here," Cortez said, when these remarks were translated tohim. "We are all in danger. We are sitting on a mine that mayexplode any minute. The young fellow is sharp witted, and with hisknowledge of the language and the people can be trusted to takecare of himself.

  "Sancho, if anything should happen to us, and you should hear thatwe have been destroyed, I charge you to carry the news to thecoast, and to order in my name that all shall embark on board shipand sail to Cuba. It would be useless to try to maintain a footholdhere. Spain would avenge it, and with ampler means than mine carryout the conquest of this country."

  A few minutes later, Roger, having said goodbye to Juan and Pedro,and told them that he might be absent for some time, started toTezcuco. They had scarcely left the town, when a canoe with sixrowers issued from one of the canals and followed in their wake.

  "See, they are after us!" Cuitcatl said, looking back. "Doubtlessthe Spanish quarters are closely watched, to see who enter andleave them; and the news that a tall young noble had entered wascarried at once to the authorities, and the boat was got inreadiness to follow when you left, and see who you were and whereyou were going. However, they will not overhaul us. I bade theofficer in charge of the canoes last night to pick me out four ofhis best men, and in so light a boat we shall travel as fast asthat behind us, although they have two extra hands."

  "Yes, and they have four sitters," Roger said, looking back.

  "No doubt they had orders to arrest you, and bring you back. Theydid not reckon on our speed. The two extra men destroy theirchances of coming up to us, altogether.

  "Row hard, men. I don't want that boat to overtake us."

  The paddlers redoubled their exertions, and the light boat almostflew along over the water. For a few minutes those in the canoebehind also did their utmost; but it was plain that they werefalling behind, rather than gaining. Then one of the officialsstood up, and shouted an order for them to stop. They were somedistance behind, but the words could be plainly heard.

  The Tezcucans looked scared as they heard the words, "In the nameof the Emperor."

  "Never mind them," Cuitcatl said. "We are acting under the ordersof our king. Besides, we are so far away that they cannot be suretheir words are heard. If they have any complaint to make they canmake it to Cacama, and he will answer them."

  The boat was soon out of hearing of its pursuer, who fell fartherand farther behind, and was a good mile away when they landed atTezcuco.

  "Run the boat up and lay her by the side of the others," Cuitcatlsaid to the rowers. "Then go at once to your homes, and say naughtto anyone about the journey you have made. The officials will findout what they want to know as to whom we are, and will care nothingas to who were the individual boatmen who rowed us. Still, it is aswell to keep silent.

  "Of course, Roger," for the lad had asked him to drop the secondpart of his name, "it will soon be known that you have returnedhere. With such numbers of persons in the palace, it cannot behidden; besides, you are well known, by sight, to most people inthe town."

  "I quite see that, Cuitcatl, and perceive no good in trying in anyway to conceal myself. These long legs of mine cannot be got ridof, and tell their story too plainly. However, it makes nodifference. I shall be safe in the palace, and shall only go abroadin the daytime. They will not venture to try to carry off, openly,one known to be under Cacama's protection."

  Cacama, on their return, agreed with Roger that it was of no use totry to conceal his identity; and the lad, after washing the stainsfrom his face and hands, took his accustomed place at the banquet,and was greeted by many of his former acquaintances.

  After the meal Cacama told him that, having heard from Bathalda ofthe wonderful shooting he had made with his great bow, he wasdesirous of seeing it; and that by his orders the forester, who hadbeen sent for the evening before by Cuitcatl, had been directingsome of the artisans to manufacture a weapon of similar strength.

  "We will go and see how it is getting on," he said.

  Proceeding to the workshops attached to the palace, they found thatthe bow was finished. It was constructed of a very tough, butelastic, wood. Three slips of this had been placed together andbound with sinews. Bathalda ran forward when he saw Roger, andtaking his hand carried it to his forehead. Roger shook the stoutfellow's hand, heartily.

  "He is a brave fellow," he said to Cuitcatl, who had accompaniedthem, "and fought manfully and well. Had he not guarded my backduring the fight, I should not be here to tell the tale, now."

  "We have made the bow according to our instructions," the head ofthe artisans said respectfully to the king; "but it does not seemto us possible that anyone can use it. Three of us have triedtogether to string it, but in vain."

  "It is a good bow," Roger said, examining it.

  "Do they shoot with weapons like that, over there?" Cacama asked,nodding in the direction of Mexico.

  "No," Roger said, "for the most part they use crossbows, and theirbows are much smaller than this. The English are the only peoplewho use bows like this. They are our national weapons, and outsideour island there are few, indeed, who can even bend them. As to thestringing, it is knack rather than strength. See here," and takingthe bow, which was just his own height, he placed his knee againstit, bent it and slipped the string into the notch, with ease. Thenholding it at arms length, he drew it till the string touched hisear.

  "It is a great deal stiffer than that I made before, Bathalda; andis about the strength of those we use at home. Now for the arrows."

  These had been made by another set of men, and were an inch or twoover a yard in length, with copper tips.

  While he was examining them Cacama had taken up the bow, but thougha strong and vigorous man for his race, he could bend it but a veryshort distance.

  "It is a wonderful weapon," he said, "and I should not have thoughtthat mortal man, whatever his color, could have used it. Now, letus go down into the practice yard.

  "Cuitcatl, do you fetch the queen and her ladies, to look on."

  "I am no great marksman, Prince," Roger said. "I am perhapssomewhat better than an average shot, but I have seen marksmen whocould do feats that I would not even attempt."

  They descended to the piece of ground, where many of the youngnobles were engaged in shooting,
and in practice with arms. Rogerhad often been there before, but had carefully abstained fromtaking any part in the mimic contests; for he knew that men who arebeaten sometimes feel malice, and he was anxious to keep on thebest terms with all. Cuitcatl had often urged him to try a boutwith himself, or others, with the sword; but this, too, he hadalways declined, and his friend had supposed that he was aware hisskill was by no means equal to his strength. But now the Spaniardshad proved to the Mexicans the fighting powers of white men, Rogerhad no longer any reasons for hanging back.

  As soon as he was seen approaching with Cacama, the Mexicansabandoned their sport, and gathered round. The story of the defeatof a band of Montezuma's soldiers by the white man had beenwhispered abroad, and Cuitcatl had mentioned to his friends what hehad heard, from Bathalda, of the mighty bow Roger had used; butwhen they saw the weapon with which he was now provided, theirwonder was to a large extent mingled with incredulity. They passedit from hand to hand, tried but in vain to bend it, and murmuredamong themselves that the thing was impossible.

  "What will you have for your mark," Cacama asked.

  "One of these targets will do well enough," he said, pointing tothose at which the Mexicans had been shooting.

  These were boards about five feet six in height, and some fourteeninches in width, presenting the size of a man. They were paintedwhite and supported by a leg hinged behind them. The distance atwhich the Mexicans had been shooting was about forty yards.

  Roger stepped a hundred from one of them, and made a mark upon theground.

  "An English archer would laugh at a target like that," he said toCacama, "but it is nigh three years since I practiced. I have seenmen who could with certainty, at this distance, hit a bird the sizeof a pigeon sitting on the top of that target, twenty times insuccession, and think it by no means extraordinary shooting."

  The queen and some of her ladies now appeared upon a terracelooking down into the courtyard. Roger took the bow, fitted anarrow to the string, and drew it to his ear--a murmur ofastonishment rising from the Aztecs. There was a pause for amoment, and then the arrow sped. There was a sharp tap as it struckthe target, and stood quivering in it just in the center line aboutfour feet from the ground.

  "The bow is an excellent one," Roger said, and quickly dischargedtwo more arrows, both of which struck within two or three inches ofthe first. As it was the power of the bow, rather than his ownshooting, that Roger wished to exhibit, he now had the targetremoved a hundred yards farther back, and others placed one on eachside of it. At this distance he discharged three more arrows,shooting more carefully than before. All three struck the boards,although at varying heights; and a shout of surprise arose from thelookers on.

  "How far will it carry?" Cacama asked.

  "It might carry another hundred yards, but the aim cannot bedepended upon at over two hundred yards, even by good shots," Rogersaid. "Of course, the longer ranges are useful for firing at a bodyof men. I should say that large tree would be about the extremerange. If you will send two men down to it, I will see whether Ican shoot as far. We should not see the arrow from here. Will youtell them to stand one on each side of the tree, but well away fromit? There is no saying where the arrow may go, at this distance."

  When two of the attendants had taken their places, twenty or thirtyyards from the tree, Roger drew the bow to the fullest and, givingto the arrow the elevation he had been taught, as most suitable foran extreme range, unloosed the string. The arrow, which was of darkwood, glanced through the air. The eye could follow it only a shortdistance. No sound was heard this time, but in a few seconds theMexicans were seen running towards the tree.

  "Do not touch the arrow," Cacama shouted; and then, followed by thecrowd, for the numbers had greatly increased, as the news of whatwas going on had spread through the palace, he walked forward tothe tree.

  The massive stem was more than four feet in diameter, and within afew inches of the center, and at a height of three feet from theground, the arrow was sticking. The Mexicans were silent withastonishment, mingled with a certain amount of awe, for shootinglike this seemed to them to be supernatural.

  "And you said you were not a good shot!" the king said.

  "It was a pure accident," Roger asserted. "I might shoot twentyarrows, and not hit the tree again. I had not the least idea that Ishould do so. I only wished to show you how far a well-made bowwould send an arrow, when drawn by an Englishman."

  Cacama ordered the arrow to be left in the tree, and a large stoneto be placed at the spot from which Roger had fired.

  "They shall remain," he said, "as a memento of this shot. I willintroduce, among my people, the custom which you say prevails inyour country; and every child shall be bound to practice, daily,with bows and arrows. I do not think that any of our race will evercome to use such a weapon as that, but they may at least learn tobend bows greatly stronger than those we are accustomed to use."

  "They will doubtless do so," Roger said. "It is a matter ofpractice, and of strengthening certain muscles of the right arm;for a man far stronger than I am would be unable to bend that bow,had he not been trained to its use from the earliest age.

  "I should recommend, Prince, that you not only give the order youhave spoken of, but institute a monthly gathering, with prizes forskill, and honors to the best marksmen. In this way all would takean interest in the sport, and it would become as popular, amongyour youth, as it is with us."

  Again Roger's bow was passed round. It had seemed to bend soeasily, in his hands, that those who had not tried it before couldscarce credit its strength, until they had handled it; but even themost powerful men found that they could only draw the arrow a fewinches.

  As they walked towards the terrace, upon which the queen and herladies were standing, Cuitcatl said:

  "I had intended to ask you, Roger, to try a bout of sword play withsome of us; but I will not do so now. After what we have seen ofthe strength of your arm, I should be sorry, indeed, to stand upagainst you, even with blunted weapons or with sticks; for therewould be no resisting a downright blow. The news came to us of theterrible blows struck by the Spaniards, and how they clove throughsword, helmet, and head. I scarce credited them before, but now Ican well believe them to be true."

  "Well, Maclutha," Cacama said; "what think you of what you haveseen? No wonder those who met with the white men, in battle, saidthat they had supernatural strength; and that even the sturdyTlascalans could not resist them. We will have the bow hung up inthe armory, with a great gold chain; which shall be the reward ofthe first man who can, like our friend, draw the arrow to thehead."

  "It is wonderful," the queen said; "and it would be well indeed if,as you say, the youth of Tezcuco could shoot like that."

  Amenche said nothing, but her cheeks were flushed with excitementand pleasure.

  That evening, when Cacama was conversing alone with Roger, he said:

  "My friend, you know that the Tlascalan caziques have given theirdaughters as wives to some of the Spaniards. I was talking to youof marriage, last night, and what you said about your age wasridiculous. You are a man, and a warrior. I now offer you the handof my sister Amenche. She loves you, as Maclutha and I have seenfor some time. From what you said, I gather that your religionwould not regard the ceremony as binding, did she not accept yourGod; but I do not think she would raise any objection on thatscore, seeing, as we all do, that your God has proved more powerfulthan ours."

  Roger was struck with astonishment at the offer. He had regardedmarriage as a matter not to be thought of, for many years; anduntil lately he would have said that, if he ever did marry, itwould be the little cousin who had, three years before, saidgoodbye to him at Plymouth. But of late he had felt the charm ofthis beautiful little princess; and since the night when she hadcome down to say farewell to him, in the garden, and he had felther hand tremble in his, and had seen a tear glisten on her cheekin the moonlight, he had thought a good deal of her.

  The chances of his ever returning to England were co
mparativelyslight. Dangers of all kinds surrounded him. The Spaniards might beattacked and massacred at any moment, and if so, he would probablyshare their fate. If, however, he was married to this Mexicanprincess, and a brother-in-law of the King of Tezcuco, he would beregarded as one of the people. His position would be a high andhonorable one, and although his life would be far different fromthat to which he had hitherto looked forward, it might be a veryhappy one.

  He sat in silence for two or three minutes after Cacama had ceasedspeaking, and then said:

  "Forgive me, Prince, for not responding, at once, to an offer sofar above my deserts, and of the honor of which I am most deeplysensible. There could be no greater happiness, for a man, than tobe the husband of one so fair, and in every way charming, as thePrincess Amenche; but your offer came upon me altogether as asurprise. As I have told you, I have hitherto regarded myself asstill a lad, and marriage as an event not to be thought of foryears; but as you do not regard my youth as an objection, there isno reason why I should do so.

  "It is of the future that I rather think. It seems to me, now, thatI could be content to settle down for life here, with so charming awife; but I cannot say that I might always be of that mind. Thelove of country is strong in every man, and the time might comewhen, if opportunity offered, I might long to return home toEngland."

  "That I have talked over with the queen, and with Amenche,herself," Cacama said. "My sister naturally would be sorry to leaveher own country, but if the time came that you should wish toreturn home, she would not hesitate to make the sacrifice, and toaccompany you. A Mexican woman, when she loves, is ready to give upeverything."

  For a moment Roger turned the matter rapidly over in his mind, andsaw that, even were he disposed to refuse Amenche's hand, whichindeed he was not, it would be almost impossible for him to do so.It would be a deep offense to this friendly prince. It would be acruel blow to the girl, who had confessed her devotion for him. Asto Dorothy, she would have deemed him dead years ago; and should heever return, he would find that she had long since been married;for the daughters of the wealthy merchant, Diggory Beggs, would notwant for suitors.

  He held out his hand to the prince.

  "I accept most gratefully your offer, Cacama, and promise that, sofar as in me lies, I will do my best to render your sister happy,and to prove myself worthy of her choice."

  "I am heartily glad," the prince said warmly. "I love my sister,and I have watched you closely. I believe you to be worthy of her,and I am sure that in you I shall find, not only a friend and abrother, but a wise counselor and a valiant leader of my troops;and that, with your advice, I shall be able to advance my people inthe arts of peace as well as war, and perhaps to win back myfather's possessions.

  "As to the question of religion, of which you spoke, there isindeed no difficulty. My grandfather, the great Nezahualcoyotl, thewisest and most powerful of our monarchs, did not believe in theAztec gods. He built a great temple which he dedicated to theUnknown God. Here he worshiped, himself, and did his utmost toinduce his subjects to abandon the cruel worship of the Aztec gods.He forbade all sacrifices, even of animals, and permitted onlyflowers and sweet-scented perfumes to be offered up on the altars.When, after his death, the Aztec power increased, and that ofTezcuco diminished, the people again embraced the cruel faith ofthe Aztecs. Neither my father nor myself have been strong enough toset ourselves against the priests; but he, as well as I, believedthat my grandfather was right, and that the Unknown God is theruler of the world. My sister has of course, been educated by thepriests; but she knows my father's opinions, and my own. She has ahorror of the human sacrifices, and believes that there must be agreater and better God than those who are said to delight in blood.So you need not fear that she will make any difficulty as toaccepting what you tell her of the white man's God.

  "Now I will fetch her in to you. I think it will be better to allowa short time to pass, and to see how matters go in Mexico, beforeannouncing to others your approaching marriage. If any misfortuneshould happen to the Spaniards, I should at once publish the news,and have the ceremony performed without loss of time; proclaimingto the people that, although white, you are not of the same race asthe Spaniards. If matters go on well, Montezuma himself willdoubtless be present at his niece's marriage; and I shall, ofcourse, invite Malinzin and all his officers."

  The prince left the room, and in a few minutes returned with hiswife, the latter leading Amenche by the hand.

  "My friend, Roger Hawkshaw," the young king said, gravely; "Ihereby promise to bestow upon you the hand of my sister Amenche.May you find in her a good, loving, and obedient wife."

  "I, on my part," Roger said, taking the girl's hand, which thequeen held out to him, "promise to be a true and loving husband toher."

  The girl, who had not raised her eyes since she entered the room,looked up at the tall figure with an expression of perfectconfidence.

  "I will be true and obedient," she said softly; "and will love youall my life."

  "What do you do next, in your country?" Cacama asked, with a smile.

  "This is how an engagement is sealed, with us," Roger said; anddrawing the girl up to him, he stooped and kissed her lips.

  Three days later, as Roger was sitting with Cuitcatl, an attendantentered and said that the king wished to see them, immediately.They hastened to the royal apartment. Cacama was walking up anddown, with an angry frown upon his face; while the queen andprincess were sitting on the couch, pale and agitated.

  "Strange news has come from Mexico," Cacama said. "The white menhave seized Montezuma, and are holding him prisoner in theirquarters. Did anyone ever hear of such an outrage? Mexico is in astate of consternation, but at present none know what to do."

  "It seems incredible," Roger exclaimed. "Are you sure of yournews?"

  "Quite certain," the prince replied.

  The news was indeed true. Cortez had found his position unbearable.He believed that the attack upon the Spaniards, on the coast, aswell as the meditated treachery at Cholula, were the outcome of theemperor's orders. His native allies had heard rumors, in the town,that the bridges across the canals were all to be raised; in whichcase the Spaniards would be prisoners in their palace. He was inthe Mexican capital, but he had as yet effected nothing towards theconquest of the country. At any moment he might hear of the landingof an expedition from Cuba, that his authority was revoked, andthat another was to reap the benefit of all he had done.

  He therefore called a council of his most trusted officers, anddiscussed the situation with them. All agreed that some step must,at once, be taken. Some were in favor of starting that night, andmaking their way out of the city before a sufficient force could becollected to oppose their retreat; while others were of opinionthat it were better to retire openly, with the consent ofMontezuma, whose conduct since they had reached the city appearedto be most friendly.

  Cortez pointed out that both these methods would be retreats, andthe whole country would probably rise against them. Moreover, evenif they reached the coast, they would have sacrificed all they hadwon by their valor and sufferings. He proposed a measure whichastonished even his boldest companions; namely, that they should goto the royal palace, and bring the emperor--by persuasion ifpossible, by force if necessary--to their quarters, and there holdhim as a hostage for their safety.

  The proposal was agreed to, and on the following morning Cortezasked for an interview with the emperor, which was at once granted.He proceeded to the palace with his principal officers, orderingthe soldiers to follow in groups of twos and threes, so as not toattract particular attention.

  Montezuma began to converse with his usual courtesy, but Cortezroughly cut him short, and charged him with being the author of theattack upon the garrison at the port. Montezuma indignantly deniedthis, and said that he would send at once, and arrest the author ofthe attack. Cortez replied that it was necessary, for their safety,that Montezuma should come and reside among them.

  The emperor was thunderstruck at
the proposal; but the soldierscrowded in, loud and threatening words were used, and Montezuma, infear of his life, gave way. Had he possessed any of the couragewith which he was credited, in his youth, he would have called hisguards and nobles around him, and died fighting. Having once givenin, he assumed the air of having done so voluntarily, and orderedhis litter to be brought.

  In the meantime his attendants, and the nobles who had beenpresent, had spread the news through the city. The Mexicans,catching up their arms, ran to the rescue of their monarch; but theSpaniards closed round the litter and, had a blow been struck, theemperor would doubtless have been murdered. Montezuma exhorted thepeople to be tranquil, assuring them that he was going willingly;and the Mexicans, accustomed to implicit obedience, and fearingthat harm would come to the emperor if a struggle began, drew backand allowed the Spaniards to pass; and Montezuma was conveyed, aprisoner, into the palace occupied by the Spaniards.

  The act was one of almost unparalleled boldness; but as performedupon a monarch who was the host of his assailants, and with whomthey were previously on the most friendly relations, it was an actof treachery, and reflects dishonor upon the fame of Cortez. At thesame time, the position occupied by the Spaniards was so strange,and even desperate, as to palliate, though it cannot excuse, such acourse of action.

  There is no reason to believe that Montezuma intended to acttreacherously. But he was under the domination of the priests, andhad he again changed his mind, as he had already several timesdone, nothing could have saved the Spaniards from absolutedestruction. No honorable man would have acted as Cortez did; butCortez was a rough soldier, and moreover, firmly held the doctrine,at that time and long afterwards held by the Spaniards in theirdealing with those of other religions, that faith need not be keptwith heretics and heathen.