Do you refuse my aid?'
Otomie said nothing, but I spoke for the first time.
'Nay, Marina, I have no love for this thief's fate if I can escape it,
but how is it to be done?'
'The chance is poor enough, Teule, but I bethought me that once out of
this prison you might slip away disguised. Few will be stirring at dawn,
and of them the most will not be keen to notice men or things. See, I
have brought you the dress of a Spanish soldier; your skin is dark, and
in the half light you might pass as one; and for the princess your wife,
I have brought another dress, indeed I am ashamed to offer it, but it is
the only one that will not be noted at this hour; also, Teule, I bring
you a sword, that which was taken from you, though I think that once it
had another owner.'
Now while she spoke Marina undid her bundle, and there in it were the
dresses and the sword, the same that I had taken from the Spaniard Diaz
in the massacre of the noche triste. First she drew out the woman's robe
and handed it to Otomie, and I saw that it was such a robe as among
the Indians is worn by the women who follow camps, a robe with red and
yellow in it. Otomie saw it also and drew back.
'Surely, girl, you have brought a garment of your own in error,' she
said quietly, but in such a fashion as showed more of the savage heart
that is native to her race than she often suffered to be seen; 'at the
least I cannot wear such robes.
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