But the worst is
still to tell; Cuitlahua, the emperor, was struck down by the illness,
and when we reached the city he lay dying. Still, he desired to see us,
and sent commands that we should be brought to his bedside. In vain did
I pray Otomie not to obey; she, who was without fear, laughed at me,
saying, 'What, my husband, shall I shrink from that which you must face?
Come, let us go and make report of our mission. If the sickness takes me
and I die, it will be because my hour has come.'
* This treatment is followed among the Indians of Mexico to
this day, but if the writer may believe what he heard in
that country, the patient is frequently cured by it.
So we went and were ushered into a chamber where Cuitlahua lay covered
by a sheet, as though he were already dead, and with incense burning
round him in golden censers. When we entered he was in a stupor, but
presently he awoke, and it was announced to him that we waited.
'Welcome, niece,' he said, speaking through the sheet and in a thick
voice; 'you find me in an evil case, for my days are numbered, the
pestilence of the Teules slays those whom their swords spared. Soon
another monarch must take my throne, as I took your father's, and I do
not altogether grieve, for on him will rest the glory and the burden
of the last fight of the Aztecs. Your report, niece; let me hear it
swiftly.
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