This may have been but a passing mood of hers and one
soon put out of mind, for it is certain that few build up the temples
of their lives upon some firm foundation of hope or hate, of desire or
despair, though it has happened to me to do so, but rather take chance
for their architect--and indeed whether they take him or no, he is still
the master builder. Still that Marina did not forget this talk I know,
for in after times I heard her remind this very prince of the words that
had passed between them, ay, and heard his noble answer to her.
Now I have but one more thing to tell of my stay in Tobasco, and then
let me on to Mexico, and to the tale of how Montezuma's daughter became
my wife, and of my further dealings with de Garcia.
On the day of our departure a great sacrifice of slaves was held upon
the teocalli to propitiate the gods, so that they might give us a safe
journey, and also in honour of some festival, for to the festivals of
the Indians there was no end. Thither we went up the sides of the
steep pyramid, since I must look upon these horrors daily. When all was
prepared, and we stood around the stone of sacrifice while the multitude
watched below, that fierce paba who once had felt the beatings of my
heart, came forth from the sanctuary of the god Quetzal and signed to
his companions to stretch the first of the victims on the stone.
Pages:
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201