Led to the Sacrifice
Terrible indeed was the position in which Roger and Tamba found
themselves, and there is little wonder that the former was goaded to
desperation by the thought of the fate awaiting him. His figure was
drawn to its fullest height and his muscles stood out tensely. There was
a moisture on his forehead, while his hands were clammy with fear. In a
dream he saw the scarlet-cloaked high priest, and marked his tattered
and filthy locks, and the marks on his head and neck of self-inflicted
penance. He saw the black-robed helpers at his elbow, the serpent form
of the god of war, and the fire which burned before the idol and was
never allowed to die out. Then his eye roamed to the others congregated
on the summit of the tower, to the silent and expectant crowds in the
streets below, on every housetop, and on the hundred and more towers
which rose from the enormous enclosure in the heart of the city given up
to the priesthood. He even noted the smoke of the sacrificial fires
there, and wondered vaguely who lit them, and who replenished the fuel.
Then the curving obsidian knife of the high priest caught his attention,
while the touch of that individual's hand sent a thrill through him.
"The altar awaits you," said the priest, softly, as if he bore the
utmost friendship for Roger. "We will not keep the god of war waiting."
His words and the touch of his hand awakened Roger thoroughly. A second
or so before he had seemed dazed; but now he was in possession of his
full vigour, both of mind and body. He stirred, beat the priest's hand
away, and looked at Tamba.
"The time has come. Seize a weapon and follow me," he said.
At that instant the remaining priests closed round him, for it was their
custom for four or five to lift the victim to the altar and hold him
there while their chief performed the murderous act. Roger saw their
meaning, and swung round suddenly; then he charged them, and with a blow
to right and left scattered them on either side. A stately and gorgeous
Mexican chief, one of the few who had come near to the cage that
afternoon, stood near at hand, and in an instant Roger had him in his
arms.
"To the chapel!" he shouted, "and prepare to bar the door if there is
one. If not, look for something with which we can fill it, and keep
these others out. Quick! The priests will be after us."
Bearing his captive on one arm, as if he were a child, he rushed across
the summit of the tower, a hoarse roar of amazement and fury swelling
the air as he did so. The entrance to a small chapel lay before him, and
he followed Tamba through it, the latter having snatched a native sword
as he ran.
"There is no door, master!" he called out in dismay. "There is only a
curtain of feather work with bells at the bottom."
This, in fact, was the case, and it was the general arrangement
throughout the temples and private houses of the Mexicans. They had no
doors, and merely hung a curtain across the entrance, the curtain being
very often of the most beautiful workmanship, and having attached at the
bottom a number of bells made of tiny shells or of silver, which gave
timely notice of the approach of a stranger.
Within the chamber all was gloomy at first after the brilliant sunshine
outside. But in the space of a second or two Roger's eyes became
accustomed to the half light, and he gave vent to a shout as he
discovered an object.
"Here is a carving of some sort," he called out, "and made of stone,
too. We must get it to the door. One moment, though."
In a twinkling he wrenched the arms from the hand and belt of his
captive and flung him into a corner. Then he seized the object--one of
the Mexican deities--while Tamba came eagerly to his help. They put
their whole strength into the task, causing the idol to totter on its
pedestal. It moved a few inches across the paved floor, and encouraged
by this, Roger bent to the work with all his might.
"Now, together!" he shouted. "Shove with all your might. It moves! It is
sliding along the floor. Again, and we have it in position."
At any other time it would have taken them at least a quarter of an hour
to have moved this mass of stone, but fear and desperation had given
them power which they could not have summoned on another occasion. As
Roger's grasp riveted itself about the thigh and neck of the inanimate
figure the whole idol swayed, and when Tamba pushed with his shoulder
it glided with a grating sound across the tiles. Once they had got it to
move they never rested till it was in the doorway, where it struck with
a thud, presenting an almost impenetrable barrier to the enemy, and a
face which was even more hideous than that of the god of war, to which
the Mexicans had given such an unpronounceable name. However, though the
mass of stone effectively checked a rush, it was still possible to reach
the inmates of the chapel over the head and shoulders of the idol; and
very soon those without showed that that was their intention. A head
darkened the bright patch close to the top of the door, and a second
followed. They were priests, and Roger determined to read them a lesson.
"Stand back, and watch this prisoner of mine," he said to Tamba. "Now
see me deal with these butchers."
The sight of the priests seemed to madden him and stir his desperation,
and as Tamba hastened to obey him, Roger stepped coolly across the
tiles, and, with a quick movement, snatched at one of the priests. He
was a tall, thin man, and our hero's grasp closed on his neck. With a
wrench he drew him through the entrance, and with his other hand
arrested the blow which the Mexican aimed at him. Then he caught him up,
and, stepping closer, threw him with all his force at the head of his
comrade. There was a thud. The body of the priest struck half against
the one who was staring into the chapel, and half against the head and
neck of the idol. But Roger had used all his force, and followed it up
by a push which completed the task. A second later there was a dull
thud, as the man he had just dealt with crashed through the narrow
space and fell on the flags outside. Then, indeed, did Roger know of the
presence of the crowd, for, from every quarter of the lake city, from
the courtyards below, from the scented gardens on the roofs, and from
the summit of a hundred towers, a hoarse roar of indignation and of rage
came to his ears. It swelled into a fanatical shriek, which silenced the
cries of those on the summit of the tower on which the war god stood,
and it filled the tiny chapel in which the two fugitives had taken up
their quarters. Even their prisoner heard it, though he was half dazed
by the suddenness of the action which had snatched him from the middle
of his friends. He heard, and lifted a face which showed the utmost
consternation.
"The gods are indeed furious, and must be appeased," he said. "Why did
you do such a thing? Surely you and your comrades have already caused
sufficient suffering to us!"
He spoke in Spanish--in poor Spanish, it is true; but Roger could
understand him, and at the sound of his voice turned with a flush on his
cheek.
"Then you can speak the language?" he said angrily. "Why did you not
offer to interpret when we were in the cage? I asked for some one to
make us known to your friends, and to explain that we were not Spanish,
but no one came forward. You were there. Why did you not proffer your
services?"
It looked for a moment as if he would have done some injury to the
noble, for that this Mexican undoubtedly was. But whatever his
intention, it was frustrated within a second, for there was a shout
outside, a mass of men threw themselves against the idol, and, using
all their force, hurled it into the chapel. It fell backward on to the
tiled floor with a crash, which split fragments from it. Then it rolled
sideways and lay across the entrance, leaving a wide chasm above,
through which a couple of men, or even three, could enter abreast; and
on the far side it exposed a crowd of jewelled Mexicans and five furious
priests, whose faces showed their animosity. At their feet, feebly
endeavouring to rise to his knees, was the one whom Roger had treated so
roughly.
For a few seconds there was a pause, while the opponents faced one
another across the fallen image. Then there was a shout from the
scarlet-robed priest. He and his helpers stood aside, while a number of
fighting men filled their places, and these flung themselves at Roger,
grabbing fiercely at him with their bare hands, as if they desired to
take him alive and without the use of a weapon. In fact, this was their
intention, following their usual custom in warfare, where they strove to
capture prisoners for the sacrifice rather than to kill their enemies.
"Be ready to meet any who get past me!" shouted Roger, glancing over his
shoulder towards Tamba, "and try to keep an eye on our prisoner. I will
keep these fellows back with this club."
He had taken the Mexican's sword from him on entering the chapel, and
had carried it since secured to his arm by a leathern thong attached to
the handle for that purpose. With a swing he brought it into his hand,
and as the enemy crushed into the opening and endeavoured to grapple
with him, he struck fiercely at them. And he was only just in time, for
one of the enemy leapt with reckless courage over the idol, and flung
his arms round Roger's legs, while a second closed with him so swiftly
that before very long he would have been helpless. But the native sword
came to his aid. He lifted it well above his head, and brought it down
on the shoulder of the last assailant with a crash which shook the
breath from his body, and left him senseless on the tiles. For the first
he found a summary means of ridding himself of his embrace; for with a
sudden movement he loosened the man's grip, and then, before he could
close round his legs again, he brought his knee up with a jerk which
caused it to strike the Mexican full in the face. It was a terrible
blow, and the man fell as if he had been felled with an axe. But there
were others at hand, and, undeterred by the unfortunate ending of their
comrades, they came on furiously, whistling and crying in shrill tones.
"Stand back!" shouted Roger, standing just within the doorway with the
native sword, now little better than a club, over his shoulder, and
looking like a lion at bay. "Stand back, or I will kill every soul who
ventures to attack me!"
"He has insulted our gods! Bring him out and sacrifice him!" shrieked
those outside. "Let us see this foreigner slain on the altar! Bring him
out without delay!"
"Then I swear that many of you shall die before I am killed by your
butchers!" shouted Roger, seeing that they were about to attack. "Up to
this I have played with you; now I shall strike to kill!"
He was as good as his word, too, and for many minutes the scene at the
narrow doorway was appalling and magnificent. There was no need as yet
for Tamba to help his master, for Roger de Luce had already shown his
prowess, and had fought with men who were fully armed and protected. Now
he was contesting the path with natives who bore only the lightest
armour, and who, moreover, sought to take him alive. But their numbers
made the danger, and our hero realized that once he permitted more than
three or four to enter alive he and Tamba would be dragged to the floor.
It was therefore with the utmost fury that he set upon the attackers.
Thanks to the fact that the entrance to the chapel was narrow, not more
than three could come at him at one time, and these he cut down with
terrific blows from his club. They staggered and fell, tumbling upon the
idol, while a few rolled over it into the chapel. But still they came,
till one blow, a little stronger than its predecessors, caused the club
to break into fragments. Even then Roger would not give way, and,
dropping the club, he flung himself upon the Mexicans after their own
fashion, only, instead of attempting to grasp them, he struck right and
left with his clenched fists till the entrance was cleared and the enemy
retreated in consternation.
"We will rush them!" shouted Roger, seeing the effect which his fighting
had made. "Leave the prisoner, Tamba, and follow! Close your fists and
strike in every direction! Now, quickly, before those priests can rally
them!"
There was just a bare chance of success, and they snatched at it
eagerly. With a bound and a shout which helped to startle the natives,
Roger cleared the entrance, his faithful companion close at his heel.
Then he rushed at a group of the enemy who stood about the priests
discussing the situation with them. There was a shriek of dismay. A few
of the Mexicans faced their white prisoner, and endeavoured to check his
advance, but the old methods succeeded. Roger's fist brought
consternation to their minds, and hardly had the first opponent measured
his full length on the ground than the others took to their heels and
raced for the stairway which led to the courts below; nor did they halt
till they were safely amongst the crowd.
"A hot fight," said Roger, breathlessly, and with a reckless laugh.
"Never before have I used my fists to such purpose. Look at the
knuckles. Even in England I never fought so much, nor struck so many
blows. And they are really gone, Tamba?"
"All save the men who have fallen to your blows, my lord, and the noble
whom you captured," answered the native, eyeing his master with
amazement. "Truly it was a brave fight, and I have never seen men struck
to the ground in such a way. Show me how it was done."
Roger doubled his fist, and displayed a row of knuckles from which the
skin had been torn.
"Their teeth are sharp," he said, again with a reckless laugh, "and they
fight with their mouths open. That is the way, Tamba; close the hand,
and put the thumb so. Then hit out from the shoulder, and aim for the
face. A good blow will fell an enemy. But what about these men who are
lying about us? None are killed, except, perhaps, one or two whom I
struck with the club. We must get rid of them; and, above all, we must
take pains to keep our prisoner. Go to him now, and tell him that he
will be killed if he attempts to escape. I will look at our enemies,
and will place them on the flight of steps. Collect a few of the arms as
you go, for we shall need them. And, Tamba----"
"What next, my lord?"
"Have a look into their pouches. Some may contain food, and we shall
want it perhaps. I mean to remain here till I am exhausted or until
these fellows admit their friendship for us. Those priests will be our
worst foes. They will never forgive the rough treatment I have given
them. There, off you go, and let me know what success you have."
[Illustration: MAP SHOWING MEXICO CITY AND SURROUNDINGS.]
For a little while Roger sat down upon a seat which faced the hideous
image of the war god, glancing listlessly at the huge green slab of
stone, with its convex upper surface, upon which he was to have been
placed, and on which he might yet lose his life. Then his eye wandered
from the figures of the fallen Mexicans to the towers within the
courtyard of the temple, and to the houses about.
"Just like the drawing on the disc," he reflected. "There was a huge
square in the very centre of the buildings, and a tower in it. And close
beside was the part marked with beasts and birds. There they are, too,
as I live! It must be a cage in which they tame the animals."
From his elevated position he could see over the whole city of Mexico,
and distinctly observed the aviaries and menageries kept by the king and
by his priests. Also as his eye roamed farther afield he saw numerous
canoes moving across the water, and in one quarter of the city another
enormous square, which acted as a public market. But he had little time
for such details. The situation demanded his whole attention, and now
that he had recovered his breath he turned to face the difficulties
which confronted him. Taking up a fallen sword, he strolled from one to
another of the Mexicans, and turned them upon their backs. Some were
still unconscious, while a few suffered from broken limbs, and were
otherwise unhurt. In these cases Roger tenderly straightened the leg,
and placed it in such a position that the man was comfortable. Then he
went to another, till he had been the round of all who had been
injured.
"Fourteen," he said, with a smile of satisfaction, "and a few must have
got away. That thin priest still lies here groaning, and indeed I gave
him good cause. I wonder whether he would make a valuable hostage? I
will keep him, and get rid of these other fellows. Come, Tamba," he
shouted, seeing the native emerge from the chapel, "lend me a hand, and
we will drag these men to the stairs. I shall keep the priest with our
other prisoner, for they may be useful. We might even arrange a kind of
exchange, they to have their liberty while we have a guarantee of
safety. But what did the prisoner say?"
"That he would swear to remain and leave us unhampered. He speaks of you
as if he thought you as fine as one of his own gods. He says also that
there is a mistake, and that the people will find it out."
"I hope so," was Roger's answer, "and in a little while when we have
made ourselves secure we will talk to him. But let us see to this
matter, and keep a careful eye on the stairs below. I have been
watching, and so far I have seen no one venture to ascend."
Some minutes later, when the two had contrived to drag all their
unconscious enemies to the top of the stairway and had carried them down
a few paces, they returned to the chapel, taking the priest with them.
They found the noble seated in one corner, thoroughly resigned, and
eager to talk to his captors. As Roger entered he rose to his feet, and
bowed with every sign of humility.
"I did not hear your words down in the court below," he said, by way of
excuse. "I was one of the few who came to take part in the procession,
but I stood some way outside the cage. It is only now that I have
learned from your servant that you are no Spaniard. Till you brought me
here I thought that you were one of our hated enemies, those who have
brought such misery to us, and have killed our king. Remember, when you
spoke to the priest you used the tongue of these ruthless invaders, so
that it was natural that I should take you for one of them."
"And now you know that I am of a different nation. I came to these parts
with comrades, and met the Spaniards in battle. I am ready to fight them
again, and will aid your friends if they will allow me. But they must
never attempt to attack me again, or to drag me to this temple."
"I will explain all to them, and shall hope to convince them," was the
answer. "But they are angry. Listen to their shouts. Our gods have been
insulted, and they call for some atonement. A sacrifice is needed to
appease our deities. Now tell me from what country you come, and what
has brought you here."
"Gladly," said Roger. "But first I will see that we are not caught
napping. Tamba, take post at the top of the stairway and keep watch. Let
me know if you observe any movement."
He sat down on the fallen idol while the native went to carry out his
orders. Then he told the Mexican how he had sailed from England, and how
he and his comrades came, hoping to obtain gold and silver and jewels.
"They are prized in our country," he said, "and we were ready to barter
fairly for them. Our hold was filled with useful articles, which we
were prepared to exchange."
"And these comrades. Where are they now?" demanded the Mexican.
Roger shrugged his shoulders. "The Spaniards kept them from returning to
this coast to pick me up," he said. "They may be anywhere. I have had no
news of them."
"Then I can speak of their whereabouts," said the Mexican, suddenly.
"Our spies tell us of much that is happening, and our couriers have
brought news of another ship seen off the coast. It was chased by the
Spaniards, and guns were fired. Then it appeared to the north, and a
landing was made. Your friends are now trading along the coast, and
there you will find them."
The news came as a huge relief to Roger, and he could almost have
shouted with joy. Then he suddenly remembered his position, and gave
vent to a groan of disappointment.
"Find them!" he said disdainfully. "Find them, when some thousands of
your countrymen are endeavouring to see me sacrificed! How am I to get
to this coast, when this tower is surrounded by men who are eager to
have me killed?"
How indeed! Even the noble with whom he conversed could not explain
that, while the hoarse murmurs from below, the blowing of horns in the
temple courtyard, and the obvious anger of the priests and of the crowd,
made it more than probable that escape would be next to impossible, and
that nothing but the death of the tall stranger would atone for what had
happened. But Roger was a youth who had been born with a stubborn
nature, and now that he had crossed swords with these superstitious
natives he began to have less fear of them. He had gained the upper hand
in a miraculous manner, and had now captured the summit of the tower,
and also two important hostages. He had only to hold out a little while
and something might happen to bring relief. The thought led him to
remember that food and drink would be necessary, and at once he went to
Tamba, to find the native seated on the edge of the tower, carefully
watching the flights of steps below.
"There is much excitement," he answered, in reply to Roger's question as
to what was passing; "and once I saw a procession of priests and
fighting men coming towards the tower. But they went on and disappeared.
But the crowds still line the towers over yonder, and the house-tops."
"Which makes it appear as if they had not given up thought of the
sacrifice. Well, we must disappoint them. Tell me, did you find food in
the bags of any of those who fell?"
"None," was the answer; "but there are other buildings here, and perhaps
a search will produce something."
Roger went off at once, and entered every one of the smaller buildings
which were on the top of the tower. There were, in fact, four smaller
towers rising from the corners of this big erection, on which stood the
statue of the war god, and in each were several apartments, the fittings
of which showed that a priest or priests were accustomed to live there.
"Probably the fellow who keeps the fire going," thought Roger. "The
Mexican tells me that it is never allowed to die down save once in about
fifty years. Then there is some ceremony, and a fire is kindled
somewhere on the mountains outside the city. There is one of these
horrible sacrifices too, and then the fire is sent in portions by means
of flaming brands to every city under the Mexican sway. Then, if a
fellow lives here there will be food and water, and perhaps a bed."
It was not long, indeed, before he came upon the latter, and presently
discovered in an adjoining room a bin with bananas and the remains of a
bird, which was probably a turkey. There was also an enormous jar
containing water, and near at hand another with some liquid, which he
afterwards learned was a native wine called pulque, used to this day
throughout the country.
"Then we shall not starve," he said, with a feeling of satisfaction and
with rising spirits. "I fancy we have little to grumble at, for this top
of the temple is an excellent place to defend. We can see everything
that is happening below, and stand high up, so that we can beat back the
attackers. And we could drop things on them."
That set him thinking, and he went off at a run to join Tamba.
"Anything happening?" he asked brusquely.
The native shook his head.
"Then call me if there is. I am going to make arrangements for defence."
He ran to the chapel, where he found the priest sitting up, looking
feeble, and talking in low tones to the captive noble. The latter rose
at once, and bowed with the same signs of humility as before, while the
other greeted Roger with a look which spoke of animosity and hatred.
"Give him the warning," said our hero, glancing at the priest. "Tell him
that I will fling him to the ground below if he makes any attempt at
escape. Then come with me. I have need of your service."
He stood at the door watching the priest, and noted his pallor as the
news was given him. His looks of hostility were less marked, and for a
moment it appeared as if he would ask for clemency from his captor. But
Roger would not wait, and, beckoning to the noble, led the way across to
the part where he had discovered food and drink. There were some heavy
benches in one of the rooms, and an assortment of articles kept for the
comfort of the priests, while outside stood three enormous stone bowls,
filled with earth and scented blossoms, for the Mexicans were very fond
of flowers.
"Lend a hand," said Roger, curtly. "Now push, and we will get this
across to the stairs. After that we will barricade the entrance to this
little place with the benches."
An hour later all was in readiness. The bowls, which were massive
affairs, blocked the summit of the last flight of stairs, while their
new quarters were more effectually guarded than had been the case when
the idol stood in the way. The priest also had been removed to his new
quarters, and so well had Roger's threats acted, as well as the
remembrance of his strength and rough handling, that there seemed little
doubt that the man would prove faithful and give no trouble. Roger and
Tamba stood on the edge of the tower, looking down at the streets below,
where there was less movement now. At their feet, and piled at intervals
round the tower, were heaps of stones, or bricks, which they had
wrenched from the sides of the smaller towers, for all were constructed
of clay and earth, to which a facing of bricks had been added.
"They are fairly small, and one can throw them easily," explained Roger.
"We will use them in case of attack, and I rather think that that will
be as soon as darkness falls. If they win their way up the stairs we
will stand behind the flower jars and strike at them with our swords.
Fortunately we are now well supplied with arms."
"And there is food and drink too, as you tell me, master. We are
fortunate. I begin to think that these Mexicans will do as their noble
has done. They will change their minds, and will see in us valuable
friends who can help them."
"Not till they have attacked again," said Roger, with assurance.
Nor did he prove to be mistaken, for as the dusk came, and it was no
longer possible to see the lowest of the flights of steps, a movement
was heard below.
"Men at the foot of the stairs," said Tamba, who had wonderful hearing.
"They are coming."
Roger listened intently. Then he took an armful of bricks, and holding
them against his chest with his left arm, began to hurl them down the
side of the tower. He had carefully marked the spot to drop them from
during the daylight, and now he had the satisfaction of hearing more
than one clatter on the stairway. There was a sudden shriek and a
scampering of many feet. After that, silence surrounded the tower, and
though Tamba crept to the bottom, no one was to be seen. Then silence
settled down upon the city, and the darkness became extreme. Nothing, in
fact, could be seen save the flare of a number of sacrificial fires,
which blazed upon the altars perched upon the summit of every tower. The
scene was weird, for occasionally a gust of wind would stir these
flames, and they burned up brightly, allowing Roger and Tamba to obtain
a glimpse of the streets and the courtyards below, and of the water
which surrounded the city. Then all was blackness again, save for the
fires and for the occasional figure of an attendant who replenished
them.
"A good thought," said Roger. "Ours shall blaze too, and will perhaps
help us to ward off danger. Throw some of the fuel on."
There was a pile of pine chippings close to the altar, and the native
soon had the fire burning merrily. Then he rejoined Roger, bringing food
and wine. They supped together contentedly, and having taken care to
keep a careful eye on their prisoners till they were sure that they were
to be trusted, they posted themselves on the summit of the stairs.
Nothing happened for many hours, till Roger became drowsy. But Tamba's
hand suddenly touched him, and he was alert at once.
"H-h-h-ush, master! They are coming!" he said. "I heard some one stumble
and his arms clatter on the steps!"
The faithful fellow had made no mistake, for presently the soft murmur
of many ascending feet came to the ear, and told the two that they were
face to face with a second attack.