wful truth through the lips
of the infallible oracle, my children! She hath declared that no
smiles shall be turned towards the children of Anahuac so long as false
prophets disgrace this great city! She hath demanded the sacrifice--"

"Who can bear witness to any such demand?" sternly interposed the
captain of the body-guard, unable to listen longer in silence.

Tlacopa flashed an evil look his way, but from the audience issued
another murmur, rising louder until it took upon itself the shape of
words, demanding indubitable proof that the oracle had indeed spoken
thus. And, no longer daring to rely upon his own authority, Tlacopa
turned to the sacrificial stone whereupon lay the helpless lamb, bowing
knee and lifting face as he volubly repeated the customary invocation;
just then it appeared far more nearly an incantation.

Having thus complied with all the requirements of his office, the paba
first kissed his blade of sacrifice, then seized the lamb and turned
it upon its back, one hand holding it helpless while with the other he
ripped the poor beast wide from throat to tail, then, making a swift
cross-slash, laid bare the cavity and exposed the quivering heart.

Dropping his knife, Tlacopa grasped this vital organ, fiercely tearing
it away, drawing back where all might see as he lifted the heart on high
for inspection.

One brief look appeared to satisfy his needs, for he gave a fierce shout
as he hurled the bleeding heart towards the accused, then cried:

"An omen! An omen! The Mother of the Gods claims her victims!"

CHAPTER XXIX. BENEATH THE SACRIFICIAL STONE.

Contrary to the expectations of Ixtli escape by way of the War God's
temple was barred throughout the remainder of that eventful night.
Tlacopa, the head priest, together with a number of his acolytes,
varying as to force, yet ever too powerful for any two men to force a
passage contrary to the will of their leader, remained on duty each and
every hour. And hence it came to pass that those early hours found
our fugitives still beneath the temple, worn through loss of sleep
and stress of anxiety, yet firmly resolved not to permit that intended
outrage without at least striking one fair blow for the Children of the
Sun.

Slowly enough the time passed, yet it could hardly be called monotonous.
Whenever wearied of their darksome waiting, the young men would steal
again into the hollow image of Huitzil', there to utilise the cunningly
arranged pee