earn, Otomie, if he proves false your rank shall not help
you.'

'I know it all,' she replied quietly. 'Foreigner or not, I love this
man and I will answer for him with my blood. Moreover, I look to him to
assist me to win back the people of the Otomie to their allegiance. But
let him speak for himself, my lord. It may happen that he has no desire
to take me in marriage.'

Cuitlahua smiled grimly and said, 'When the choice lies between the
breast of death and those fair arms of yours, niece, it is easy to guess
his answer. Still, speak, Teule, and swiftly.'

'I have little to say, lord. If the princess Otomie is willing to wed
me, I am willing to wed her,' I answered, and thus in the moment of my
danger all my doubts and scruples vanished. As Cuitlahua had said, it
was easy to guess the choice of one set between death and Otomie.

She heard and looked at me warningly, saying in a low voice: 'Remember
our words, Teule. In such a marriage you renounce your past and give me
your future.'

'I remember,' I answered, and while I spoke, there came before my eyes a
vision of Lily's face as it had been when I bade her farewell. This then
was the end of the vows that I had sworn. Cuitlahua looked at me with a
glance which seemed to search my heart and said:

'I hear your words, Teule. You, a white wanderer, are graciously willing
to take this princess to wife, and by her to be lifted high among the
great lords of this land. But say, how can we trust you? If you fail us
your wife dies indeed, but that may be naught to you.'

'I am ready to swear allegiance,' I answered. 'I hate the Spaniards,
and among them is my bitterest enemy whom I followed across the sea to
kill--the man who strove to murder me this very day. I can say no more,
if you doubt my words it were best to make an end of me. Already I have
suffered much at the hands of your people; it matters little if I die or
live.'

'Boldly spoken, Teule. Now, lords, I ask your judgment. Shall this man
be given to Otomie as husband and be sworn as one of us, or shall he be
killed instantly? You know the matter. If he can be trusted, as Guatemoc
and Otomie believe, he will be worth an army to us, for he is acquainted
with the language, the customs, the weapons, and the modes of warfare of
these white devils whom the gods have let loose upon us. If on the other
hand he is not to be trusted, and it is hard for us to put faith in one
of his blood, he may do us much injury, fo