"Yes, of such a life as you have made it; I prefer death to remaining longer exposed to the sufferings of every description to which I have been subjected during my captivity."
"You can both live if you like," he said significantly. They shook their heads in denial, but said nothing.
"At liberty," he continued.
"At liberty?" the young lady repeated, her eyes suddenly lighting up with a flash of hope.
Doña Emilia gently laid her hand on her shoulder, and addressed the chief—
"Come," she said, "explain yourself frankly; your words must conceal some terrible trap; on what condition are we to live and be free? We must be told these conditions in order to know whether we are able to accept them."
"Can life be bargained for in this way?"
"Yes, where life is to be purchased with dishonour."
"Tomorrow you will be fastened to the stake, and tortured for four hours without respite or mercy."
"What next?" Doña Emilia asked haughtily.