’I have little to say, lord.  If the princess Otomie is willing to wed me, I am willing to wed her,’ I answered, and thus in the moment of my danger all my doubts and scruples vanished.  As Cuitlahua had said, it was easy to guess the choice of one set between death and Otomie.

She heard and looked at me warningly, saying in a low voice:  ’Remember our words, Teule.  In such a marriage you renounce your past and give me your future.’

‘I remember,’ I answered, and while I spoke, there came before my eyes a vision of Lily’s face as it had been when I bade her farewell.  This then was the end of the vows that I had sworn.  Cuitlahua looked at me with a glance which seemed to search my heart and said: 

’I hear your words, Teule.  You, a white wanderer, are graciously willing to take this princess to wife, and by her to be lifted high among the great lords of this land.  But say, how can we trust you?  If you fail us your wife dies indeed, but that may be naught to you.’

‘I am ready to swear allegiance,’ I answered.  ’I hate the Spaniards, and among them is my bitterest enemy whom I followed across the sea to kill—­the man who strove to murder me this very day.  I can say no more, if you doubt my words it were best to make an end of me.  Already I have suffered much at the hands of your people; it matters little if I die or live.’

’Boldly spoken, Teule.  Now, lords, I ask your judgment.  Shall this man be given to Otomie as husband and be sworn as one of us, or shall he be killed instantly?  You know the matter.  If he can be trusted, as Guatemoc and Otomie believe, he will be worth an army to us, for he is acquainted with the language, the customs, the weapons, and the modes of warfare of these white devils whom the gods have let loose upon us.  If on the other hand he is not to be trusted, and it is hard for us to put faith in one of his blood, he may do us much injury, for in the end he will escape to the Teules, and betray our counsels and our strength, or the lack of it.  It is for you to judge, lords.’

Now the councillors consulted together, and some said one thing and some another, for they were not by any means of a mind in the matter.  At length growing weary, Cuitlahua called on them to put the question to the vote, and this they did by a lifting of hands.  First those who were in favour of my death held up their hands, then those who thought that it would be wise to spare me.  There were twenty-six councillors present, not counting Cuitlahua, and of these thirteen voted for my execution and thirteen were for saving me alive.

‘Now it seems that I must give a casting vote,’ said Cuitlahua when the tale had been rendered, and my blood turned cold at his words, for I had seen that his mind was set against me.  Then it was that Otomie broke in, saying: