You have
escaped them and there's an end. Few have ever come alive from their
clutches before, and he who does so is a wizard indeed. For the rest I
think that your God is stronger than our gods, for surely He must have
cast His mantle over us when we lay yonder on the stone. Ah! Teule, to
what have you brought me that I should live to doubt my gods, ay, and to
call upon the foes of my country for succour in your need. Believe me, I
had not done it for my own sake, since I would have died with your kiss
upon my lips and your word of love echoing in my ears, who now must live
knowing that these joys have passed from me.'
'How so?' I answered. 'What I have said, I have said. Otomie, you would
have died with me, and you saved my life by your wit in calling on the
Spaniards. Henceforth it is yours, for there is no other woman in the
world so tender and so brave, and I say it again, Otomie, my wife, I
love you. Our blood has mingled on the stone of sacrifice and there
we kissed; let these be our marriage rites. Perhaps I have not long to
live, but till I die I am yours, Otomie my wife.'
Thus I spoke from the fulness of my heart, for my strength and courage
were shattered, horror and loneliness had taken hold of me. But two
things were left to me in the world, my trust in Providence and the love
of this woman, who had dared so much for me.
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