Now I saw that it was finished, and made ready to go to my death, when
Marina spoke into the ear of Cortes. All she said I could not catch, but
I heard the words 'hidden gold.' He listened, then hesitated, and spoke
aloud: 'Do not hang this man to-day. Let him be safely guarded. Tomorrow
I will inquire into his case.'

CHAPTER XXVIII

THOMAS IS DOOMED

At the words of Cortes two Spaniards came forward, and seizing me one
by either arm, they led me across the roof of the house towards the
stairway. Otomie had heard also, and though she did not understand the
words, she read the face of Cortes, and knew well that I was being taken
to imprisonment or death. As I passed her, she started forward, a terror
shining in her eyes. Fearing that she was about to throw herself upon
my breast, and thus to reveal herself as my wife, and bring my fate upon
her, I glanced at her warningly, then making pretence to stumble, as
though with fear and exhaustion, I fell at her feet. The soldiers who
led me laughed brutally, and one of them kicked me with his heavy boot.
But Otomie stooped down and held her hand to me to help me rise, and as
I did so, we spoke low and swiftly.

'Farewell, wife,' I said; 'whatever happens, keep silent.'

'Farewell,' she answered; 'if you must die, await me in the gates of
death, for I will join you there.'

'Nay, live on. Time shall bring comfort.'

'You are my life, beloved. With you time ends for me.' Now I was on my
feet again, and I think that none noted our whispered words, for all
were listening to Cortes, who rated the man that had kicked me.

'I bade you guard this traitor, not to kick him,' he said angrily in
Castilian. 'Will you put us to open shame before these savages? Do
so once more, and you shall pay for it smartly. Learn a lesson in
gentleness from that woman; she is starving, yet she leaves her food to
help your prisoner to his feet. Now take him away to the camp, and see
that he comes to no harm, for he can tell me much.'

Then the soldiers led me away, grumbling as they went, and the last
thing that I saw was the despairing face of Otomie my wife, as she gazed
after me, faint with the secret agony of our parting. But when I came
to the head of the stairway, Guatemoc, who stood near, took my hand and
shook it.

'Farewell, my brother,' he said with a heavy smile; 'the game we played
together is finished, and now it is time for us to rest. I thank you for
your valour and yo