'
But the Teules were gone, nor, search where they would, could they find
them.
'Their God has taken them beneath His wing,' I said, speaking from the
shadow and in a feigned voice. 'Huitzel cannot prevail before the God of
the Teules.'
Then I slipped aside, so that none knew that it was I who had spoken,
but the cry was caught up and echoed far and wide.
'The God of the Christians has hidden them beneath His wing. Let us make
merry with those whom He rejects,' said the cry, and the last of the
captives were dragged away.
Now I thought that all was finished, but this was not so. I have spoken
of the secret purpose which I read in the sullen eyes of the Indian
women as they laboured at the barricades, and I was about to see its
execution. Madness still burned in the hearts of these women; they had
accomplished their sacrifice, but their festival was still to come. They
drew themselves away to the further side of the pyramid, and, heedless
of the shots which now and again pierced the breast of one of them--for
here they were exposed to the Spanish fire--remained a while in
preparation. With them went the priests of sacrifice, but now, as
before, the rest of the men stood in sullen groups, watching what
befell, but lifting no hand or voice to hinder its hellishness.
One woman did not go with them, and that woman was Otomie my wife.
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