Then
the emperor spoke a word to one of the counsellors, who bowed and came
slowly down the hall looking to the right and to the left. Presently his
eye fell upon Guatemoc, and, indeed, he was easy to see, for he stood a
head taller than any there.
'Hail, prince,' he said. 'The royal Montezuma desires to speak with you,
and with the Teule, your companion.'
'Do as I do, Teule,' said Guatemoc, and led the way up the chamber,
till we reached the place where the wooden screen had been, which, as we
passed it, was drawn behind us, shutting us off from the hall.
Here we stood a while, with folded hands and downcast eyes, till a
signal was made to us to advance.
'Your report, nephew,' said Montezuma in a low voice of command.
'I went to the city of Tobasco, O glorious Montezuma. I found the Teule
and brought him hither. Also I caused the high priest to be sacrificed
according to the royal command, and now I hand back the imperial
signet,' and he gave the ring to a counsellor.
'Why did you delay so long upon the road, nephew?'
'Because of the chances of the journey; while saving my life, royal
Montezuma, the Teule my prisoner was bitten by a puma. Its skin is
brought to you as an offering.'
Now Montezuma looked at me for the first time, then opened a picture
scroll that one of the counsellors handed to him, and read in it,
glancing at me from time to time.
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