eize me in his palace, and the Tezcucans are far
less bigoted than the people of this city."

"I do not think he will be in much greater danger there than he
would be here," Cortez said, when these remarks were translated to
him. "We are all in danger. We are sitting on a mine that may
explode any minute. The young fellow is sharp witted, and with his
knowledge of the language and the people can be trusted to take
care of himself.

"Sancho, if anything should happen to us, and you should hear that
we have been destroyed, I charge you to carry the news to the
coast, and to order in my name that all shall embark on board ship
and sail to Cuba. It would be useless to try to maintain a foothold
here. Spain would avenge it, and with ampler means than mine carry
out 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 to
Tezcuco. They had scarcely left the town, when a canoe with six
rowers issued from one of the canals and followed in their wake.

"See, they are after us!" Cuitcatl said, looking back. "Doubtless
the Spanish quarters are closely watched, to see who enter and
leave them; and the news that a tall young noble had entered was
carried at once to the authorities, and the boat was got in
readiness to follow when you left, and see who you were and where
you were going. However, they will not overhaul us. I bade the
officer in charge of the canoes last night to pick me out four of
his best men, and in so light a boat we shall travel as fast as
that 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. They
did not reckon on our speed. The two extra men destroy their
chances 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 almost
flew along over the water. For a few minutes those in the canoe
behind also did their utmost; but it was plain that they were
falling behind, rather than gaining. Then one of the officials
stood up, and shouted an order for them to stop. They were some
distance behind, but the words could be plainly heard.

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

"Never mind them," Cuitcatl said. "We are acting under the orders
of our