ars go for nothing. You are a man, and
even in years you are not, according to our customs, too young to
marry.

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

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

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

"It was a terrible error, as well as a crime on the part of the
emperor, 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 on
the advice of the priests."

"That is where the general considers the danger lies. He would
trust the caziques, for men of rank in whatever country are
faithful to their word, and do not pretend friendship when they
mean hostility. Were Montezuma guided by them, there would be no
fear of treachery; but as he has given himself to the priests, and
they 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 to
start with the first streak of light, so as to be back before the
sun is high, and it is long past midnight now.

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

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

Roger and his Me