ell beside him. In a moment she was on her feet
again, staring at him wildly--the naked sword in her hand.

'Up,' she said, 'before others come to seek him. Nay, you must.'

Now, again we were struggling forward through the bushes, my mind filled
with a great wonder that grew slowly to a whirling nothingness. For a
while it seemed to me as though I were lost in an evil dream and walking
on red hot irons in my dream. Then came a vision of armed men with
lifted spears, and of Otomie running towards them with outstretched
arms.

I knew no more.

CHAPTER XXXI

OTOMIE PLEADS WITH HER PEOPLE

When I awoke it was to find myself in a cave, where the light shone very
dimly. Otomie leant over me, and not far away a man was cooking a pot
over a fire made of dry aloe leaves.

'Where am I and what has happened?' I asked.

'You are safe, beloved,' she answered, 'at least for awhile. When you
have eaten I will tell you more.'

She brought me broth and food and I ate eagerly, and when I was
satisfied she spoke.

'You remember how the Tlascalan followed us and how--I was rid of him?'

'I remember, Otomie, though how you found strength to kill him I do not
understand.'

'Love and despair gave it to me, and I pray that I may never have such
another need. Do not speak of it, husband, for this is more horrible to
me than all that has been before. One thing comforts me, however; I did
not kill him, the sword twisted in my hand and I believe that he was
but stunned. Then we fled a little way, and looking back I saw that two
other Tlascalans, companions of the senseless man, were following us
and him. Presently, they came up to where he lay and stared at him. Then
they started on our tracks, running hard, and very soon they must have
caught us, for now you could scarcely stir, your mind was gone, and I
had no more strength to carry you. Still we stumbled on till presently,
when the pursuers were within fifty paces of us, I saw armed men, eight
of them, rushing at us from the bushes. They were of my own people, the
Otomies, soldiers that had served under you, who watched the Spanish
camp, and seeing a Spaniard alone they came to slay him. They very
nearly did so indeed, for at first I was so breathless that I could
scarcely speak, but at last in few words I made shift to declare my name
and rank, and your sad plight. By now the two Tlascalans were upon us,
and I called to the men of the Otomie to protect us, and falling on