Had he been short and slight, he would have disguised himself as a Mexican, and under the guidance of Bathalda, have made his way to the capital; but with a figure which would be instantly remarked, wherever he went, this would be impossible.
He entered the palace, and sent in an urgent message to Malinche, who was nursing Cortez.

She listened patiently to his narrative.
"I pity you, Roger," she said, when he had finished; "but there is nothing to be done." "But I cannot march away and leave her," he said.

"Rather than that, I will disguise myself and take all risks, even though I know that I must fail." "You must have patience, Roger," she said.

"Cortez will, I feel sure, recover." "But if so, it will only be to march down to the coast," Roger broke in.

"The whole army are eager to be off, before the Mexicans can gather their forces and be ready to fall upon them." "The army may think what it likes, and wish what it likes," Malinche said, quietly.