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Then the Captain Diaz bade him begone to hell if he wished and report to the devil, saying that he had always believed that he had escaped thence by mistake, and they parted in wrath who, since the day of noche triste, never loved each other much; the end of it being that Sarceda rides for Mexico within an hour, to make what mischief he can at the viceroy's court, and I think that you are well rid of him.
'For the love of God let me go! gasped a rough voice beneath me. 'Fool, I am no Indian dog. Now I peered into the man's face bewildered. I had seized de Garcia, but the voice was not his voice, nor was the face his face, but that of a rough Spanish soldier. 'Who are you? I asked, slackening my hold. 'Where is de Garcia he whom you name Sarceda? 'Sarceda? I don't know.
'Dare not to speak that holy Name, apostate and worshipper of idols, eater of human flesh. Let Sarceda be summoned. A messenger went out, and for a while there was silence. I caught Marina's glance and saw pity in her gentle eyes.
From him I inquired of the doings of de Garcia or Sarceda, and learned that he was still in the service of Cortes, but that Marina had been true to her word, and had brought disgrace upon him because he had threatened to put Otomie to the torture.
It was the custom of warriors in the opposing armies to send challenges to single combat, one to another, and many such duels were fought in the sight of all, safe conduct being given to the combatants and their seconds. Upon a day, despairing of meeting him face to face in battle, I sent a challenge to de Garcia by a herald, under his false name of Sarceda.
And indeed how can I help you? 'Perhaps you can find me food and drink, I answered 'and for our friend, God rest his soul. What of the Captain Sarceda? Is he also dead? 'No, senor, he alone is recovering of all whom the scourge has smitten. And now I must go to my brother, but first I will seek food for you.
By mine, I am an officer of the day, and if you disobey I'll have you flogged till you never ask another question. 'Shall I call the Teules within? said the man sulkily to his companion. 'No, he answered; 'the lord Sarceda is weary and gave orders that he should not be awakened without good cause. Keep them in or let them through as you will, but do not wake him.
This man has the secret of Montezuma's treasure, and is worth a king's ransom, and he lifted his club. 'And yet you wish to slay him! Well, I know nothing of him. Take him back whence he came. He is but a drunken sot and I shall be well rid of him. 'Well said. It would be foolish to kill him, but by bearing him alive to the lord Sarceda, I shall win honour and reward. Come, help me.
Swiftly as thought I slipped round the stone of sacrifice and after me came the uplifted sword of my enemy. It would have overtaken me soon enough, for I was weak with fear and fasting, and my limbs were cramped with bonds, but at that moment a cavalier whom by his dress and port I guessed to be none other than Cortes himself, struck up de Garcia's sword, saying: 'How now, Sarceda?
Now for the last time I say choose. Will you reveal the hiding place of the treasure and go free, or will you be handed over to the care of Don Sarceda till such time as he shall find means to make you speak? Now a great faintness seized me, for I knew that I was condemned to be tortured, and that de Garcia was to be the torturer.
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