on it here? They tell me, Teule, that
there is no such archer in the land.'

So I came up and showed him the bow which was of my own make, and would
shoot an arrow some sixty paces further than any that I saw in Anahuac,
and we fell into talk on matters of sport and war, Marina helping out my
want of language, and before that day was done we had grown friendly.

For a week the prince Guatemoc and his company rested in the town of
Tobasco, and all this time we three talked much together. Soon I saw
that Marina looked with eyes of longing on the great lord, partly
because of his beauty rank and might, and partly because she wearied of
her captivity in the house of the cacique, and would share Guatemoc's
power, for Marina was ambitious. She tried to win his heart in many
ways, but he seemed not to notice her, so that at last she spoke more
plainly and in my hearing.

'You go hence to-morrow, prince,' she said softly, 'and I have a favour
to ask of you, if you will listen to your handmaid.'

'Speak on, maiden,' he answered.

'I would ask this, that if it pleases you, you will buy me of the
cacique my master, or command him to give me up to you, and take me with
you to Tenoctitlan.'

Guatemoc laughed aloud. 'You put things plainly, maiden,' he said,
'but know that in the city of Tenoctitlan, my wife and royal cousin,
Tecuichpo, awaits me, and with her three other ladies, who as it chances
are somewhat jealous.'

Now Marina flushed beneath her brown skin, and for the first and last
time I saw her gentle eyes grow hard with anger as she answered:

'I asked you to take me with you, prince; I did not ask to be your wife
or love.'

'But perchance you meant it,' he said dryly.

'Whatever I may have meant, prince, it is now forgotten. I wished to see
the great city and the great king, because I weary of my life here and
would myself grow great. You have refused me, but perhaps a time will
come when I shall grow great in spite of you, and then I may remember
the shame that has been put upon me against you, prince, and all your
royal house.'

Again Guatemoc laughed, then of a sudden grew stern.

'You are over-bold, girl,' he said; 'for less words than these many a
one might find herself stretched upon the stone of sacrifice. But I will
forget them, for your woman's pride is stung, and you know not what you
say. Do you forget them also, Teule, if you have understood.'

Then Marina turned and went, her bosom heaving wit