He strolled along the sea-shore, and met Cocom just outside the sea-gate. The old man saluted him gravely—
"Señor," he said, mysteriously approaching Jack; "beware of Ixtlilxochitli."
"What do you mean, Cocom?" asked Duval, rather startled.
"The Indians, Señor, are now on the war-path—to the south," added Cocom, significantly.
"Great Heaven!" ejaculated the young man, horror-struck. "They intend to surprise the reinforcements."
"That is so, Señor. But I, Cocom, have sent runners after them to warn the Señors."
"Bueno! Cocom, you are the safeguard of Cholacaca!"
"Not I, Señor; but the Chalchuih Tlatonac!"
"Oh, I haven't much belief in that."
"Don Juan!" said Cocom, significantly; "the Indians obeyed the stone implicitly—it is sacred. What it speaks they do. Red is burned and war was proclaimed. But, Señor, if it flamed blue, then would the Indians be at peace."