Already we had passed the gate when a sudden faintness seized me, and I stumbled and fell, rolling over on to my back as I touched the earth.
'Up, friend, up!' said Otomie, with a harsh laugh.

'If you must sleep, wait till you find some friendly bush,' and she dragged at me to lift me.

The Tlascalan, still laughing, came forward to help her, and between them I gained my feet again, but as I rose, my cap, which fitted me but ill, fell off.

He picked it up and gave it to me and our eyes met, my face being somewhat in the shadow.

Next instant I was hobbling on, but looking back, I saw the Tlascalan staring after us with a puzzled air, like that of a man who is not sure of the witness of his senses.
'He knows me,' I said to Otomie, 'and presently when he has found his wits, he will follow us.' 'On, on!' answered Otomie; 'round yonder corner are aloe bushes where we may hide.' 'I am spent, I can no more;' and again I began to fall.
Then Otomie caught me as I fell, and of a sudden she put out her strength, and lifting me from the ground, as a mother lifts her child, staggered forward holding me to her breast.