The party against him had been silenced for a moment, but would be sure to gather strength again; and he would be called upon either to worship these bloodstained idols, or to die.
Life was pleasant enough as it was, at present, with the friendship of the young king, and the kindness of the queen and princess; but he would soon be tired of it, with its everlasting sunshine, and its flowers, and its idleness.
At last the moon set, and in a few minutes he heard footsteps approaching, and Cuitcatl and two veiled figures came up.

The queen came straight up to him.
"We are very sorry to lose you, Roger Hawkshaw," she said, gently; "and were there a hope of doing so successfully, we would defy the cruel orders from Montezuma.

But it would bring ruin on our people." "I know that it cannot be done, Madam," Roger said.

"I thank you and the king, most heartily, for all your kindness to me.

If I escape to my own country, I shall remember it all my life; and I will pray, to the God we worship, to give you happiness." "Take this," the queen said, putting a small bag into his hand.
"You have told me that these gems are as much prized among your people as they are here, and you can more easily conceal them than gold.