And they retired, and the rest of the day, swinging in the hammock, they talked of the dream and the portrait, and wondered what would come of them.
CHAPTER IV.
THE TRIAL
Hualpa’s adventure in the garden made a great stir in the palace and the city. Profound was the astonishment, therefore, when it became known that the savior of the king and the murderer of the Tezcucan were one and the same person, and that, in the latter character, he was to be taken into court and tried for his life, Montezuma himself acting as accuser. Though universally discredited, the story had the effect of drawing an immense attendance at the trial.
“Ho, Chalcan! Fly not your friends in that way!”
So the broker was saluted by some men nobly dressed, whom he was about passing on the great street. He stopped, and bowed very low.
“A pleasant day, my lords! Your invitation honors me; the will of his patrons should always be law to the poor keeper of a portico. I am hurrying to the trial.”
“Then stay with us. We also have a curiosity to see the assassin.”
“My good lord speaks harshly. The boy, whom I love as a son, cannot be what you call him.”
The noble laughed. “Take it not ill, Chalcan. So much do I honor the hand that slew the base Tezcucan that I care not whether it was in fair fight or by vantage taken. But what do you know about the king being accuser to-day?”