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If you will do so, he will accept your promise; but if not, he will be forced to gag you, as the safety of the army depends upon our getting beyond the streets, before our march is discovered." "I wonder that they are ready to take our promise," Cacama said disdainfully, "after their own treachery. However, an Aztec noble is not like a Spaniard. Our faith may be depended upon.
My news must be for you, only." A minute or two later, the queen dismissed her ladies. "The news I have to tell you," Roger went on, "is that tomorrow Montezuma will issue a decree deposing Cacama, and appointing Cuicuitzca Lord of Tezcuco." An exclamation of anger and indignation broke from the queen and Amenche. "He cannot do it," the latter exclaimed, passionately. "It is beyond his power.
When Roger recovered his senses, he was lying in a canoe, which was being paddled rapidly. He had been insensible but a few minutes, for the cries of the combatants still sounded close at hand. Cuitcatl was bending over him. "How is Cacama?" he asked, as soon as he could speak. "Alas! He is dead," Cuitcatl replied. "You did your best to save him, Roger.
I should then make up two large caskets with your own jewels, those of Cacama, and some of the most valuable stones and jewels from the royal treasury leaving all the royal ornaments worn on state occasions, so that the usurper will not know that any have been abstracted." "I would rather take nothing but my own and Cacama's personal jewels," the queen said.
He even tried to persuade the emperor that our gods were false; and spoke insolently of them, yesterday, when Montezuma conducted him, at his request, into the holy shrines. Cacama was one of the strongest advisors that a peaceful reception should be accorded to the white visitors, but even he is being greatly turned against them, by their conduct towards our gods.
Cacama gave an exclamation of joy, when he heard the silence broken by loud cries at the end of the street; and immediately afterwards by the shouts of the priests on the lofty temples, by the blowing of horns, and the beating of the great war drum. "The game has begun," he said. "We shall see how many Spaniards remain alive, when the sun rises.
He at once sought the presence of Cortez, and through Marina explained to him that Cacama had sent him back, fearing that in the excited state of the population harm might come to him.
It is he who has brought them here; and it is better, a thousand times, that he should die than that ruin should fall upon the country. "My advice is, that the troops be called out; that messengers be sent to every city in the valley, bidding them send in their contingent; and that we march to aid the people of Mexico to annihilate this handful of treacherous white men." Cacama was silent.
This reply made Cortés very angry; but Montezuma, anxious to prevent bloodshed, begged him still to refrain from declaring war against Cacama, saying that it would be better to obtain possession of him personally, which he could easily do by means of several Tezcucan nobles who were in his own pay.
The other leaders of the confederacy were all seized by the orders of Montezuma in their own cities, and brought in chains to the capital, where they were imprisoned with Cacama. Upon Roger, the news of Cacama's arrest and imprisonment came like a thunderclap.
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