"My lord bids you rise, Ixtlilxochitli!" translated Cocom, more politely.
The priest arose, with his hands folded across his breast, and, with downcast eyes, addressed Cocom.
"Has my lord seen the holy shrine, and the thrice sacred Chalchuih Tlatonac?"
"Yes; my lord has been graciously pleased to look at these things."
"It is well! My lord should know well the sacred shrine, so that on the great day he be prepared to act his part, as saviour of the city, with dignity."
"Deuce take your dignity!" cried Jack, in a rage when this polite speech was translated. "I say Cocom, cannot we knock this old reprobate down the steps; he wouldn't get up again in a hurry."
"Nay, nay, Señor! such a course would not be wise," replied Cocom, hastily thinking that Jack was about to carry his threat into execution.
"What says my lord?" asked Ixtlilxochitli blandly.
"That he will not keep you longer from the sacred offices of the god."
"It is well! See that my lord has all things, Cocom. The city is his, and we are his, for on his sacrifice to the holy gods does the existence of Totatzine depend."