It will not disturb my appetite." When Roger learned that orders had been given for the massacre at the temple, he determined firmly that he would take no part in the deed, whatever it might cost him to refuse.

Fortunately, he found no difficulty in persuading one of the soldiers, told off to act as a guard at the palace during the absence of the rest, to change places with him, as the man wanted to have his share in the expected plunder.

Had Cacama been at liberty, Roger would not have hesitated a moment, but would have left the Spaniards and thrown in his lot with the Mexicans; but now it was impossible to do so.

The frenzied population would have seized any white man they came upon, outside the walls of the palace, and would have carried him to the altars of their gods.

It would be hopeless to endeavor to explain that he was of another race.