'I know it, comrade. But this must be done; though I hate it, it must be
done, there is no other way. The gold is necessary to me--by the
Mother of God! the knaves say that I have stolen it!--and I doubt these
stubborn Indian dogs will ever speak, however great their agony. This
man knows and I give him over to you because you are acquainted with his
wickedness, and that knowledge will steel your heart against all pity.
Spare not, comrade; remember that he must be forced to speak.'
'It is your command, Cortes, and I will obey it, though I love the task
little; with one proviso, however, that you give me your warrant in
writing.'
'It shall be made out at once,' answered the general. 'And now away with
him.'
'Where to?'
'To the prison that he has left. All is ready and there he will find his
comrades.'
Then a guard was summoned and I was dragged back to my own place, de
Garcia saying as I went that he would be with me presently.
CHAPTER XXIX
DE GARCIA SPEAKS HIS MIND
At first I was not taken into the chamber that I had left, but placed in
a little room opening out of it where the guard slept. Here I waited
a while, bound hand and foot and watched by two soldiers with drawn
swords. As I waited, torn by rage and fear, I heard the noise of
hammering through the wall, followed by a sound of groans.
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