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Updated: June 19, 2025
Accordingly, the next morning at daybreak, he started with Bathalda, and late on the following afternoon arrived in sight of Tlascala. They thought it better not to enter the city until the following morning, and therefore passed the night in a clump of bushes. The next day they boldly entered the town.
Roger left his spear behind; using the bow, which he had unstrung, as a walking staff. Bathalda offered to carry the spear, in addition to his own weapon, but Roger told him that he did not care about it. "If it should come to a hand-to-hand fight," he said, "I would rather rely on my ax.
Then, when the search for you abates, we can strike down thence to the seacoast, if the white men are still there. At any rate, we can live by hunting as long as you may find it necessary to remain in concealment." "That will be by far the best plan, Bathalda. I have no objection to a few weeks of life in the woods, and you can teach me your craft of a hunter.
Cuitcatl bade me tell you that they are working for you, and will rescue you before the time comes for your sacrifice; but at present the watch is too strict." "But I may be chosen, any day," Roger said. Bathalda shook his head. "Cuitcatl has bribed the priests who choose the victims to leave you until the last; so you need not feel uneasiness on that score. Be patient and watchful.
You must unfasten your ropes while he is here, and he will aid you to do them up again, so that, while to the eye they will seem secure, they can be shaken off instantly. "Bathalda and another will accompany you. I do not know who the other is; but I was told that you would understand."
"I should have preferred a night's rest, Bathalda; but it would be foolish to lose a day, and no doubt parties will be searching the woods in the morning. We have still four hours before the sun goes down, and that should be enough to fit us for starting again." The hunter was pleased at Roger's decision. "Let my lord sleep at once," he said. "I will watch.
"Now we will be moving on again, Bathalda," Roger said. "We have taught them a lesson of caution." They proceeded on their way, until they reached a shoulder which led straight up the mountain. Just as they stopped to draw breath there was a shout, and a party of twenty men, who had evidently climbed straight up from the pass to cut them off, rushed at them.
There can be no pomp and ceremonial of burial. That must come when peace is restored, and we carry Cacama's ashes to be laid with his father's, at Tezcuco. Bathalda and some of the slaves have already started to bring in wood for the funeral pile. All will be ready by sunrise, tomorrow."
Presently Amenche, who had been sitting nestled close to Roger too happy even to speak sat up and said: "Hush!" Bathalda ceased rowing. "There is a large canoe coming up behind us," he said, listening intently. "I can hear others on the lake, beyond us." "We had better make into the shore again," Roger said, "and let them pass us."
Roger had been wounded by three or four spear thrusts, but these had been too hastily given to penetrate very deeply. "I am unhurt, Amenche," he said, making his way forward again, and stepping into the canoe. There was no reply. He stooped over, as she lay quietly there. "She has fainted," he said. "Row on, Bathalda. You had best give me the other paddle.
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