My conductors, albeit they made no secret of their joy over my downfall, did their mistress's bidding, and treated me with respect.

They loosed my bonds, taking care, however, so to guard me as to render escape impossible, and, when we halted, gave me to eat and drink.
But their talk was not encouraging.

In their opinion, nothing could save me from a horrible death, probably of thirst.

The best that I could hope for was being smothered in a sandstorm.

The man-killer would probably go on till he dropped from exhaustion, and then, whether I was alive or dead, birds of prey would pick out my eyes and tear the flesh from my bones.
About midday we reached the mountain range which divides Pachatupec from the desert.