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You will serve him as you would me." The man took Roger's hand, and carried it to his forehead. "My life is yours, my lord," he said. "Is everything ready, Bathalda?" asked Cuitcatl. "Yes, my lord. I have the canoe hidden among the rocks, with the arms and some food. It is but a few hundred yards away." "Let us be off then, at once," Cuitcatl said.
He knew that he would have received, from Cuitcatl, the news that he had surmounted the dangers of his journey and joined the Spaniards at Tlascala, and thought that it would be better to defer presenting himself to the prince until he could do so more privately at Tezcuco.
The mourners then re-entered the house, leaving the two or three priests who were present to collect the ashes, and to place them in a large gold vase; of which they would act as guardians, until the time came for its removal, in solemn procession, to Tezcuco. Cuitcatl took Roger aside. "I have bad news from Mexico," he said. "You were right, and I was mistaken.
"Here is a weapon which will suit you better than that sword and javelin," he said, handing him a war club, a heavy weapon, with pieces of sharp-pointed obsidian fixed in it. Roger helped Amenche into the canoe, wrung Cuitcatl warmly by the hand, and then stepped in. "Go," the latter exclaimed. "I can hear troops approaching." So saying, he bounded swiftly away.
"He is a brave fellow," he said to Cuitcatl, who had accompanied them, "and fought manfully and well. Had he not guarded my back during the fight, I should not be here to tell the tale, now." "We have made the bow according to our instructions," the head of the artisans said respectfully to the king; "but it does not seem to us possible that anyone can use it.
Besides, who have they to lead them? Was not Cacama betrayed by his own nobles? Let us send for Cuitcatl, and hear what he advises us."
Cacama did not press that, but chiefly spoke of the terrible scandal it would be, were she his sister and the niece of Montezuma to be brought back with you, a captive." They were now at the gate. Cuitcatl opened it, and locked it again after him. A figure was standing outside. "This is my follower. You may rely upon him to serve you, to the last. "Bathalda, this is my white friend.
I will tell Cacama where you are, and he will come or send down to you, to say what had best be done, and where you are to go. Do not delay an instant. The orders were urgent, and they will be here in a minute or two to seize you. "Not a word, now. Go! I must not be found here. I will see you again," and she was gone. "Come, my friend," Cuitcatl said; "there is evidently not a moment to be lost."
They had scarcely left the town, when a canoe with six rowers issued from one of the canals and followed in their wake. "See, they are after us!" Cuitcatl said, looking back.
During the next fortnight, Roger instructed Amenche in the outlines of the Christian faith and, the day before the convoy was to start, three weeks after the fall of Mexico, Father Olmedo received her into the Church, and the marriage ceremony took place. It was attended by Cortez and most of his leaders, and by many of the native nobles. Among them, Roger was glad to meet Cuitcatl.
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