Montezuma. So be it! The wealth which Cortes wept over,
and his Spaniards sinned and died for, is for ever hidden yonder by
the shores of the bitter lake whose waters gave up to you that ancient
horror, the veritable and sleepless god of Sacrifice, of whom I would
not rob you--and, for my part, I do not regret the loss.

What cannot be lost, what to me seem of more worth than the dead hero
Guatemoc's gems and jars of gold, are the memories of true friendship
shown to us far away beneath the shadow of the Slumbering Woman,* and it
is in gratitude for these that I ask permission to set your name within
a book which were it not for you would never have been written.

I am, my dear Jebb,

Always sincerely yours,

H. RIDER HAGGARD.

* The volcano Izticcihuatl in Mexico.

DITCHINGHAM, NORFOLK, October 5, 1892.

To J. Gladwyn Jebb, Esq.

NOTE

Worn out prematurely by a life of hardship and extraordinary adventure,
Mr. Jebb passed away on March 18, 1893, taking with him the respect and
affection of all who had the honour of his friendship. The author has
learned with pleasure that the reading of this tale in proof and the
fact of its dedication to himself afforded him some amusement and
satisfaction in the intervals of his sufferings.

H. R. H.

March 22, 1893.

CONTENTS

I WHY THOMAS WINGFIELD TELLS HIS TALE

II. OF THE PARENTAGE OF THOMAS WINGFIELD

III. THE COMING OF THE SPANIARD

IV. THOMAS TELLS HIS LOVE

V. THOMAS SWEARS AN OATH

VI. GOOD-BYE, SWEETHEART

VII. ANDRES DE FONSECA

VIII. THE SECOND MEETING

IX. THOMAS BECOMES RICH

X. THE PASSING OF ISABELLA DE SIGUENZA

XI. THE LOSS OF THE CARAK

XII. THOMAS COMES TO SHORE

XIII. THE STONE OF SACRIFICE

XIV. THE SAVING OF GUATEMOC

XV. THE COURT OF MONTEZUMA

XVI. THOMAS BECOMES A GOD

XVII. THE ARISING OF PAPANTZIN

XVIII. THE NAMING OF THE BRIDES

XIX. THE FOUR GODDESSES

XX. OTOMIE'S COUNSEL

XXI. THE KISS OF LOVE

XXII. THE TRIUMPH OF THE CROSS

XXIII. THOMAS IS MARRIED

XXIV. THE NIGHT OF FEAR

XXV. THE BURYING OF MONTEZUMA'S TREASURE

XXVI. THE CROWNING OF GUATEMOC

XXVII. THE FALL OF TENOCTITLAN

XXVIII. THOMAS IS DOOMED

XXIX. DE GARCIA SPEAKS HIS MIND

XXX. THE ESCAPE

XXXI. OTOMIE PLEADS WITH HER PEOPLE

XXXII. THE END OF GUATEMOC

XXXIII. ISABELLA DE SIGUENZA