As the sun moved in the heavens, so did this ring of light creep
across the shadow till at length it climbed the stone of sacrifice and
lay upon its edge.
Then at a sign from the head priest, his ministers laid hold of me and
plucked what were left of my fine clothes from me as cruel boys pluck a
living bird, till I stood naked except for the paint upon my body and a
cloth about my loins. Now I knew that my hour had come, and strange
to tell, for the first time this day courage entered into me, and I
rejoiced to think that soon I should have done with my tormentors.
Turning to Otomie I began to bid her farewell in a clear voice, when to
my amaze I saw that as I had been served so she was being served, for
her splendid robes were torn off her and she stood before me arrayed
in nothing except her beauty, her flowing hair, and a broidered cotton
smock.
'Do not wonder, Teule,' she said in a low voice, answering the question
my tongue refused to frame, 'I am your wife and yonder is our marriage
bed, the first and last. Though you do not love me, to-day I die your
death and at your side, as I have the right to do. I could not save you,
Teule, but at least I can die with you.'
At the moment I made no answer, for I was stricken silent by my wonder,
and before I could find my tongue the priests had cast me down, and for
the second time I lay upon the stone of doom.
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