not been trained to its use from the earliest age.

"I should recommend, Prince, that you not only give the order you
have spoken of, but institute a monthly gathering, with prizes for
skill, and honors to the best marksmen. In this way all would take
an interest in the sport, and it would become as popular, among
your youth, as it is with us."

Again Roger's bow was passed round. It had seemed to bend so
easily, in his hands, that those who had not tried it before could
scarce credit its strength, until they had handled it; but even the
most powerful men found that they could only draw the arrow a few
inches.

As they walked towards the terrace, upon which the queen and her
ladies were standing, Cuitcatl said:

"I had intended to ask you, Roger, to try a bout of sword play with
some of us; but I will not do so now. After what we have seen of
the strength of your arm, I should be sorry, indeed, to stand up
against you, even with blunted weapons or with sticks; for there
would be no resisting a downright blow. The news came to us of the
terrible blows struck by the Spaniards, and how they clove through
sword, helmet, and head. I scarce credited them before, but now I
can well believe them to be true."

"Well, Maclutha," Cacama said; "what think you of what you have
seen? No wonder those who met with the white men, in battle, said
that they had supernatural strength; and that even the sturdy
Tlascalans could not resist them. We will have the bow hung up in
the armory, with a great gold chain; which shall be the reward of
the first man who can, like our friend, draw the arrow to the
head."

"It is wonderful," the queen said; "and it would be well indeed if,
as you say, the youth of Tezcuco could shoot like that."

Amenche said nothing, but her cheeks were flushed with excitement
and pleasure.

That evening, when Cacama was conversing alone with Roger, he said:

"My friend, you know that the Tlascalan caziques have given their
daughters as wives to some of the Spaniards. I was talking to you
of marriage, last night, and what you said about your age was
ridiculous. You are a man, and a warrior. I now offer you the hand
of my sister Amenche. She loves you, as Maclutha and I have seen
for some time. From what you said, I gather that your religion
would not regard the ceremony as binding, did she not accept your
God; but I do not think she would raise any objection on that
score, seeing, as we all do, that your Go