She stood before them stately and scornful, a very queen among women, and little by little the majesty of her presence and the greatness of her courage hushed them to silence.

When there was quiet at length, she spoke in a clear voice that carried far.
'Am I among my own people of the Otomie ?' she asked bitterly, 'or have we lost our path and wandered perchance among some savage Tlascalan tribe?
Listen, people of the Otomie.

I have but one voice and none can reason with a multitude.

Choose you a tongue to speak for you, and let him set out the desire of your hearts.' Now the tumult began again, for some shouted one name and some another, but in the end a priest and noble named Maxtla stepped forward, a man of great power among the Otomie, who, above all had favoured an alliance with the Spaniards and opposed the sending of an army to aid Guatemoc in the defence of Tenoctitlan.

Nor did he come alone, for with him were four chiefs, whom by their dress I knew to be Tlascalans and envoys from Cortes.