And of the two bolts in Cortes’ quiver, such was the speeding of the FIRST ONE!
An hour passed,—an hour of battle without and dispute within the palace.
To Cortes in his chamber then came Orteguilla, reporting.
“I gave the king the message, Señor; and he bade me tell thee thy purpose is too late. He will not come.”
The passion-vein[50] on Cortes’ neck and forehead rose, and stood out like a purple cord.
“The heathen dog!” he cried. “Will not! He is a slave, and shall come. By the holy blood of Christ, he shall come, or die!”
Then Olmedo spoke,—
“If thou wilt hear, Señor, Montezuma affects me and the good Captain Oli tenderly; suffer us to go to him, and see what we can do.”
“So be it, so be it! If thou canst bring him, in God’s name, go. If he refuse, then—I have sworn! Hearken to the hell’s roar without! Let me have report quickly. I will wait thee here. Begone!”