And the priest departed; but the steps of the iron-hearted soldier were heard long after,—not quick and determined as usual, but slow and measured, and with many and long pauses between. So ambition walks when marshalling its resources; so walks a heroic soul at war with itself and fortune! He flung himself upon his couch at last, saying,—
“In my quiver there are two bolts left. The saints help me! I will speed them first.”
CHAPTER XIV
THE KING BEFORE HIS PEOPLE AGAIN
Guatamozin’s call at the royal palace to see the king, Cuitlahua, had not been without result. When told that the monarch was too sick of the plague to be seen, he called for the officer who had charge of the accounts of tribute received for the royal support.
“Show me,” said the ’tzin, “how much corn was delivered to Montezuma for Malinche.”
A package of folded aguave leaves was brought and laid at the accountant’s feet. In a moment he took out a leaf well covered with picture-writing, and gave it to the ’tzin, who, after study, said to a cacique in waiting, “Bring me one of the couriers,” and to another, “Bring me wherewith to write.”
When the latter was brought, he sat down, and dipping a brush into a vessel of liquid color, drew upon a clear, yellow-tinted leaf a picture of a mother duck leading her brood from the shore into the water; by way of signature, he appended in one corner the figure of an owl in flight. On five other sheets he repeated the writing; then the missives were given each to a separate courier with verbal directions for their delivery.
When he left the palace, the ’tzin laid his hand upon Hualpa’s shoulder, and said, joyfully,—
“Better than I thought, O comrade. Malinche has corn for one day only!”