You are now our prisoner, and had you a thousand lives, you have forfeited them all because of your treachery to your race and blood.
Into the circumstances that led you to commit this horrible treason I cannot enter; the fact remains.

You have slain many of the Spaniards and their allies; that is, being in a state of treason you have murdered them.

Wingfield, your life is forfeit and I condemn you to die by hanging as a traitor and an apostate.' 'Then there is nothing more to be said,' I answered quietly, though a cold fear froze my blood.
'There is something,' answered Cortes.

'Though your crimes have been so many, I am ready to give you your life and freedom upon a condition.
I am ready to do more, to find you a passage to Europe on the first occasion, where you may perchance escape the echoes of your infamy if God is good to you.

The condition is this.