Listen, nobles. What is to be done with this man? Say, is it lawful that
he be led back to sacrifice?'

Then the priest answered: 'I grieve to say that it is not lawful most
noble prince. This man has lain on the altar of the god, he has even
been wounded by the holy knife. But the god rejected him in a fateful
hour, and he must lie there no more. Slay him if you will, but not upon
the stone of sacrifice.'

'What then shall be done with him?' said the prince again.

'He is of the blood of the Teules, and therefore an enemy. One thing is
certain; he must not be suffered to join the white devils and give
them tidings of our distresses. Is it not best that he be put away
forthwith?'

Now several of the council nodded their heads, but others sat silent,
making no sign.

'Come,' said Cuitlahua, 'we have no time to waste over this man when the
lives of thousands are hourly at stake. The question is, Shall the Teule
be slain?'

Then Guatemoc rose and spoke, saying: 'Your pardon, noble kinsman, but
I hold that we may put this prisoner to better use than to kill him. I
know him well; he is brave and loyal, as I have proved, moreover, he is
not all a Teule, but half of another race that hates them as he hates
them. Also he has knowledge of their customs and mode of warfare, which
we lack, and I think that he may be able to give us good counsel in our
strait.'