"Then tell him whatever lies you please!" said Duval, viciously, and, rolling over, turned his back on the priest.
"A bad sign!" murmured the priest, looking anxiously at Cocom. "Is my lord angered?"
"Nay," replied Cocom, in the Indian tongue; "my lord is much improved in health, oh, Ixtlilxochitl; but as with all who are ill at ease, he is fretful and wanting in courtesy."
"It is true," replied Ixtlilxochitl, reverently. "The sick are ever foolish. See that thou make him strong, Cocom, for the gods accept naught but blooming health."
"Oh, my sacred lord; he will be cured in two days from now. Cocom knows of magic herbs whereby the favourite of Huitzilopochtli can be made whole. Let Ixtlilxochitl be content, my lord will be pure and strong for the sacrifice."
"It is well," said the priest, rising from his knees. "I will leave my lord to his sleep; but will he not vouchsafe one glance at his servant?"
Instructed by Cocom, Jack was forced to turn round and smile at the priest, who knelt down to receive this mark of favour. Then he adored Jack with more incense and flowers, after which he withdrew with reverent genuflections.
"The old fiend!" muttered Jack, when the drapery had again veiled the door. "I should like to have sent a boot at his head."
"Hush, my lord Juan."
"Carrai! why should I? That devil-monkey does not understand Spanish."