But come, let us to supper, we can talk of these
matters afterwards.'
So we sat down to eat by the light of torches in the banqueting hall
with Bernal Diaz and some other of the Spaniards. Otomie would have left
us, and though the captain bade her stay she ate nothing, and presently
slipped away from the chamber.
CHAPTER XXXVII
VENGEANCE
During that meal Bernal Diaz spoke of our first meeting on the causeway,
and of how I had gone near to killing him in error, thinking that he was
Sarceda, and then he asked me what was my quarrel with Sarceda.
In as few words as possible I told him the story of my life, of all the
evil that de Garcia or Sarceda had worked upon me and mine, and of how
it was through him that I was in this land that day. He listened amazed.
'Holy Mother!' he said at length, 'I always knew him for a villain, but
that, if you do not lie, friend Wingfield, he could be such a man as
this, I did not know. Now by my word, had I heard this tale an hour
ago, Sarceda should not have left this camp till he had answered it or
cleared himself by combat with you. But I fear it is too late; he was to
leave for Mexico at the rising of the moon, to stir up mischief against
me because I granted you terms--not that I fear him there, where his
repute is small.'
'I do not lie indeed,' I answered. 'Much of this tale I can prove if
need be, and I tell you that I would give half the life that is left
to me to stand face to face in open fight with him again.
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