Cacami rose in his place, and calmly replied:
"I will abide the decision of the court. Let the trial proceed."
We are informed by traditional history that the profession and practice of law was not extant among the Anahuacans. No counsel was, therefore, at hand to be employed in the defense of a prisoner or litigant. The parties involved in the trial stated their own case, and won or lost, according to the weight of the evidence furnished through their witnesses. In criminal cases the procedure was necessarily different, charges being preferred and published in open court, which the accused was compelled to refute or stand convicted.
The laws regulating testimony were most liberal. The accused was entitled to give evidence, and, if he so desired, address the court in his own behalf, and the force of what he said was not impaired by the fact that he was on trial.
After a few preliminary matters were attended to, the judge again addressed the accused:
"Cacami, the prisoner, will rise and answer."
Cacami stood up, and the judge continued:
"How long have you been acquainted with Itlza, the daughter of Euzelmozin?"