'Now it seems that I must give a casting vote,' said Cuitlahua when the
tale had been rendered, and my blood turned cold at his words, for I had
seen that his mind was set against me. Then it was that Otomie broke in,
saying:
'Your pardon, my uncle, but before you speak I have a word to say.
You need my services, do you not? for if the people of the Otomie will
listen to any and suffer themselves to be led from their evil path, it
is to me. My mother was by birth their chieftainess, the last of a long
line, and I am her only child, moreover my father is their emperor.
Therefore my life is of no small worth now in this time of trouble, for
though I am nothing in myself, yet it may chance that I can bring thirty
thousand warriors to your standard. The priests knew this on yonder
pyramid, and when I claimed my right to lie at the side of the Teule,
they gainsayed me, nor would they suffer it, though they hungered for
the royal blood, till I called down the vengeance of the gods upon them.
Now my uncle, and you, lords, I tell you this: Slay yonder man if you
will, but know that then you must find another than me to lure the
Otomie from their rebellion, for then I complete what I began to-day,
and follow him to the grave.'
She ceased and a murmur of amazement went round the chamber, for none
had looked to find such love and courage in this lady's heart.
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