Here, comrades, hold this fool who would stain his soul with murder.' Now the Spaniards clutched de Garcia by the arms, and he cursed and raved at them, for as I have said, his rage was that of a beast rather than of a man.

But I stood bewildered, not knowing whither to fly.
Fortunate it was for me indeed that one was by who though she understood no Spanish, yet had a quicker wit.

For while I stood thus, Otomie clasped my hand, and whispering, 'Fly, fly swiftly!' led me away from the stone of sacrifice.
'Whither shall we go ?' I said at length.

'Were it not better to trust to the mercy of the Spaniards ?' 'To the mercy of that man-devil with the sword ?' she answered.

'Peace, Teule, and follow me.' Now she led me on, and the Spaniards let us by unharmed, ay, and even spoke words of pity as we passed, for they knew that we were victims snatched from sacrifice.