r in the end he will escape to
the Teules, and betray our counsels and our strength, or the lack of it.
It is for you to judge, lords.'

Now the councillors consulted together, and some said one thing and
some another, for they were not by any means of a mind in the matter.
At length growing weary, Cuitlahua called on them to put the question to
the vote, and this they did by a lifting of hands. First those who were
in favour of my death held up their hands, then those who thought that
it would be wise to spare me. There were twenty-six councillors present,
not counting Cuitlahua, and of these thirteen voted for my execution and
thirteen were for saving me alive.

'Now it seems that I must give a casting vote,' said Cuitlahua when the
tale had been rendered, and my blood turned cold at his words, for I had
seen that his mind was set against me. Then it was that Otomie broke in,
saying:

'Your pardon, my uncle, but before you speak I have a word to say.
You need my services, do you not? for if the people of the Otomie will
listen to any and suffer themselves to be led from their evil path, it
is to me. My mother was by birth their chieftainess, the last of a long
line, and I am her only child, moreover my father is their emperor.
Therefore my life is of no small worth now in this time of trouble, for
though I am nothing in myself, yet it may chance that I can bring thirty
thousand warriors to your standard. The priests knew this on yonder
pyramid, and when I claimed my right to lie at the side of the Teule,
they gainsayed me, nor would they suffer it, though they hungered for
the royal blood, till I called down the vengeance of the gods upon them.
Now my uncle, and you, lords, I tell you this: Slay yonder man if you
will, but know that then you must find another than me to lure the
Otomie from their rebellion, for then I complete what I began to-day,
and follow him to the grave.'

She ceased and a murmur of amazement went round the chamber, for none
had looked to find such love and courage in this lady's heart. Only
Cuitlahua grew angry.

'Disloyal girl,' he said; 'do you dare to set your lover before your
country? Shame upon you, shameless daughter of our king. Why, it is
in the blood--as the father is so is the daughter. Did not Montezuma
forsake his people and choose to lie among these Teules, the false
children of Quetzal? And now this Otomie follows in his path. Tell
us how is it, woman, that you and your love