"Oh," said Villafana, with a second laugh, "if thou wilt but scratch on one end of a long log, be sure I will hear it at the other. There is something more in the world than magic."
He spoke with marked exultation; indeed Juan had already observed that his carriage was freer and bolder than common, and that he bore himself like a man who cares not wholly to conceal a triumph of spirit, which he thinks it not needful altogether to divulge.
"Harkee, señor Don Juan," he went on, abruptly and inquisitively, "thou art good friends with Xicotencal?"
"So far as a Christian man can be with one, who, though a very noble being, is yet a misbeliever."
"And thou wert sworn friends, at Mexico, with the young prince, Guatimozin?"
"Not so," said Juan: "the young man kept aloof from us all, being of the hostile party; and there was scarce one of us who had ever seen his face. I must confess, however, if I can believe Techeechee, that my preservation in the expedition was owing to his good act; for Techeechee avers, that it was through Guatimozin's good will that he was sent with me, to secure me from the death which was designed for all the rest of the party."
"Designed? dost thou allow it then?" cried the Alguazil, quickly.
"Ay," replied Juan, dryly; "designed by the Mexican lords, but not by Christian leaders."
"And art thou not sorry thou wert not despatched to him as envoy?"
"Why need we talk of this?" said Juan, hesitating. "Guatimozin the king, may be different from Guatimozin the prince."