Roger knew that, until lately, his love had been poor by the side of hers. From the time he had sailed from England, to his first meeting with her, he had pictured to himself that some day, when he came to command a ship of his own, he would marry his cousin, if she had borne him in mind since he parted with her on Plymouth Hoe. This dream had faded away, from the time he had first met Amenche; and when Cacama had proposed the marriage to him, he had accepted the offer gladly. His chance of ever leaving the country, at that time, seemed slight; and he felt sure that he should be happy with Amenche. Since that time, the girl's frank expression of her love for him, her tender devotion, and her willingness to sacrifice country, and people, and all, to throw in her lot with him, had greatly heightened the feeling he had towards her; and he had come to love her truly; but still, perhaps, rather with the calm earnest affection of a brother, than the passionate1 devotion of a lover.
But now he knew that she had his whole heart. If she died, it seemed of little consequence to him what became of his life. It was for his sake that she had risked everything, had left all--friends and home and country--and he felt that he would gladly die with her.
Morning was breaking before Malinche came into his room.
"She is sensible," she said, "and my countryman, who is with her, thinks that she will live."
The relief was so great that Roger burst into tears.
"Come with me," Malinche said, taking his hand. "We do not think she knows what has happened, but she looks anxiously about the room. She is very, very weak; but the leech2 thinks that if she sees you, and knows that you are safe and well, it will rouse her and put her in the way of recovery. You must not talk to her, or excite her in any way."
Roger followed Malinche into her room. Amenche was lying, without a vestige3 of color on her face, and with her eyes closed and her breathing so faint that Roger, as he looked at her, thought that she was dead.
"Take her hand and kneel down beside her," Malinche whispered.
Roger took the girl's hand. As he did so, a slight tremor4 ran through her, as if she recognized his touch. Then her eyes opened.
"Amenche, my darling, do you know me?" Roger said, as he stooped his face close to hers.
Her face brightened suddenly, and a look of intense happiness came into her eyes.
"O Roger!" she whispered; "I dreamed that they had killed you."
"I am safe and well, as you see," he said. "They have hurt you, darling; but you will get better, and we shall be happy together. You must not talk, but I may stay by you, if you will keep quiet.
"Drink this first," and he handed to her a cup that the Mexican doctor held out to him; and placing his arm under Amenche's head, raised it and poured the liquid between her lips.
Then he laid her head down again on the pillow and, kneeling beside her, held her hand in his.
She lay looking up into his face, with an expression of quiet happiness, occasionally murmuring, "Dear Roger."
Presently her eyelids5 drooped6, and in a few minutes her regular breathing showed that she was asleep.
The Mexican doctor placed another cup of medicine within Roger's reach, and murmured in his ear, "I think that she will do now. Give her this when she awakes. I shall be within call, if I am wanted."
Amenche slept for some hours, and Roger, overcome by want of sleep, and from the anxiety through which he had passed, dropped off many times into short dozes7.
He woke from one of these at a slight movement of Amenche's hand, and opened his eyes at the moment that she was opening hers.
"What has happened, Roger? And where am I?" she asked, in wonder.
"First drink this medicine, and then I will tell you," he said. "You remember, dear, we were in the boat together, and we were attacked. An arrow struck you, but I knew nothing about it until I had reached the causeway, and found you senseless, and brought you here to Malinche's room; and she and one of the doctors of your country dressed your wound, and now you have been sleeping quietly for some hours."
"Oh yes," she said, "I remember now. I was struck with an arrow. It was a sharp pain, but I did not cry out; for you had need of all your strength and vigor8. I lay there quietly, and heard the din9 of fighting; and at last, when I knew that you had conquered, I felt a faintness stealing over me, and thought that I was dying; and then I remember nothing more, only it seemed that, in my dreams, you came to me and knelt by the side of me and kissed me; and now I know that that part is true, and I have been having such happy dreams, ever since.
"But why should I lie here? Cannot I get up?"
"No, dear. You are weak from loss of blood, and quiet is necessary. Lie here a minute. I will fetch the leech in, to see how you are."
The Mexican was sleeping on some mats outside the door. He at once came in and, after examining Amenche, pronounced her decidedly better. Malinche, who had given orders that she was to be informed as soon as the princess was awake, came in a minute or two; and a consultation11 was held, when it was decided10 that Amenche should at once be taken from the fort, which was crowded with soldiers, as well as exposed to the din and turmoil12 of the night attacks.
Malinche went out and soon returned, saying that she had spoken to one of the Tezcucan caziques in alliance with the Spaniards. He had at once offered to receive Amenche at his palace, which was situate but three miles from the end of the causeway.
"I cannot leave Roger again," the princess said, when she understood what was proposed.
"There is no thought of your leaving him," Malinche said, kindly14. "Roger is to accompany you. He needs rest and peace almost as much as you do. Besides, he has been seriously wounded, though he makes light of it.
"The cazique has sent off a messenger for a party of his people to meet you. A boat will be in readiness to take you across the lake, at sunset. You will be carried in litters from the landing place to his palace."
This programme was carried out and, by nine o'clock that evening, Roger and Amenche were both settled in luxurious15 apartments in the cazique's palace.
Cortez, now recovered from his wounds, prepared for a fresh advance; which was this time to be conducted in a different manner. Against so stubborn and active a foe16 the advance must be irresistible17, steady, and continued. In future, no step backward was to be taken. Every breach18, every canal, was to be filled up so firmly and solidly that it could never again be disturbed; and for this purpose every building--whether a private house, temple, or palace--was to be demolished19. It was with the greatest reluctance20 that Cortez arrived at this determination. He would fain have saved the city intact, as the most glorious trophy21 of his success; but his experience showed him that with every house a fortress22, every street cut up by canals, it was hopeless to expect to conquer it.
The Indian allies heard his intention with the greatest satisfaction, for there was ever in their mind the dread23 that, should the white men depart, the Aztecs would take a terrible revenge upon their rebellious24 subjects. Enormous numbers of men were assembled, and provided with implements25 for the work. This was steadily26 carried out, until the whole of the suburbs were leveled, and a wide space round the city left open for the maneuvers27 of the cavalry28 and the play of the artillery29.
Before making the last attack, Cortez tried once more to persuade the emperor to yield; and sent three Aztec nobles, who had been captured in one of the late fights, to bear a message to him. He told Guatimozin that he and his people had done all that brave men could, and that there remained no hope, no chance, of escape. Their provisions were exhausted30. Their communications cut off. Their vassals31 had deserted32 them, and the nations of Anahuac were banded against them. He prayed him, therefore, to have compassion33 on his brave subjects, who were daily perishing before his eyes, and on the fair city now fast crumbling34 into ruins. He begged him to acknowledge his allegiance to the sovereign of Spain; in which case he should be confirmed in his authority, and the persons, the property, and all the rights of the Aztecs should be respected.
The young monarch35 would have instantly refused the terms, but he called a council to deliberate upon them. Many would have accepted them, but the priests threw all their influence in the scale against it; reminding the king of the fate of Montezuma, after all his hospitality to the Whites, of the seizure36 and imprisonment37 of Cacama, of the massacre38 of the nobles, of the profanation39 of the temple, and of the insatiable greed that had stripped the country of its treasures.
The answer to the Spaniards was given in the form of a tremendous sortie along each causeway; but the guns of the Spanish batteries and ships drove the assailants back, and the operations of destruction went on. Day by day the army of workers leveled the houses and filled the canals, although the Mexicans made incessant40 attacks upon the troops who covered the workmen. For several weeks the work continued, while the wretched inhabitants were fast wasting away with hunger. All the food stored up had long since been consumed, and the population reduced to feed on roots dug up in the gardens, on the bark of trees, leaves, and grass, and on such rats, mice, and lizards41 as they could capture.
The houses, as the besiegers advanced, were found to be full of dead; while in some lay men, women, and children in the last stage of famine. And yet, weakened and suffering as they were, the Aztecs maintained their resolution, rejecting every overture42 of Cortez.
At last the division of Alvarado cleared its way into the great square, and a party, mounting the great temple where so many of their comrades had been massacred, defeated the Aztecs who guarded the position, slaughtered43 the priests, and set fire to the sanctuary45; and the next day the division of Cortez won their way to the same spot, and joined that of Alvarado.
Seven-eighths of the city was now destroyed; and with the exception of the king's palace and a few temples, all the buildings that had, when they first saw it, so excited the admiration46 of the Spaniards, and had made the city one of the loveliest in the world, had been leveled.
In the portion that remained the whole of the Aztec population were crowded. Their number was still vast, for before the siege began the people from many of the surrounding cities had flocked into the capital. Pestilence47 was aiding famine in its work; and the Spanish writers say that "as the troops advanced, the bodies lay so thick that it was impossible to walk without treading on them."
Again and again Cortez endeavored to negotiate with the emperor. Although so reduced by weakness that they could scarce keep their feet, the Aztecs maintained their defiant48 attitude, and the advance of the allies recommenced. The Aztecs fought as bravely as ever; but they were so weakened that their missiles were no longer dangerous, and their arms could scarce lift their weapons.
It was a dreadful carnage. The confederates, panting with hatred49 of the race that had subdued50 and so long humiliated52 them, showed no pity; and even when Cortez ordered that quarter should be shown to all who asked it, the allies refused to be checked, and the work of slaughter44 went on until the Spanish trumpets53 sounded a retreat.
During that day, alone, it was calculated that forty thousand persons had fallen. That night a mournful stillness reigned54 over the city. In silent despair, and yet with no thought of surrender, the Aztecs awaited their fate.
The next morning, August 15th, 1521, the troops were formed up again; but before ordering the advance Cortez obtained an interview with some of the principal chiefs, and persuaded them to see the emperor, and try to induce him to surrender; but the answer came that Guatimozin was ready to die where he was, and would hold no parley55 with the Spanish commander. Cortez still postponed56 the assault for several hours.
Then, finding delay unavailing, he reluctantly gave the order for the attack to recommence. As upon the previous day it was a mere57 slaughter. Many of the Aztecs sought to fly in canoes, but these were cut off by the fleet.
Presently, however, while the butchery was still going on, the welcome news was brought that Guatimozin himself had been captured by one of the vessels59. With him was his wife, the beautiful Princess Tecuichpo, a daughter of Montezuma; and twenty nobles of high rank. The news of his capture spread rapidly through the fleet and city, and the feeble resistance the Aztecs still offered ceased at once.
Guatimozin was brought before Cortez, and behaved with a dignity and calmness that excited the admiration and respect of the general and his followers60. The next morning, at the emperor's request, Cortez gave permission for all the survivors62 of the siege to leave the town; and issued strict orders, both to the Spaniards and their savage63 allies, that no insult or injury should be offered to them. For three days sad processions of men, women, and children--worn out with fatigue64, wasted with fever and hunger, and in many cases scarred with wounds--made their way along the causeways. The number of men, alone, was variously estimated at from thirty to seventy thousand.
The losses during the siege were also placed at varying figures by contemporary writers. The lowest estimate was one hundred and twenty thousand, while some writers place it at double that amount. The higher figures probably approximate most nearly to the truth, for the population of the city, in itself very large, was enormously swelled65 by the vast number of persons from all the surrounding cities, who took refuge there at the approach of the Spaniards.
The Spanish loss was comparatively small, the larger portion of it being incurred66 upon the day of the destruction of Alderete's column. The loss of the allies, however, was very large; as they were not provided, as were the Spaniards, with armor which defied the missiles of the enemy. Of the Tezcucans, alone, it is said that thirty thousand perished.
The amount of booty taken in the city was comparatively small, and the army was bitterly disappointed at the poor reward which it reaped for its labors67 and sacrifices. There can be no doubt that the Aztec treasures were removed and buried, before the approach of the Spaniards to the city. Indeed, during the siege the Aztecs constantly taunted68 them with shouts that, even if they ever took the city, they would find no gold there to reward their efforts.
The defense69 of the city of Mexico has been frequently likened to that of Jerusalem against Titus. In each case a vast population, ignorant of the arts of war, resisted with heroic constancy the efforts of a civilized70 enemy, and succumbed71 to hunger and disease rather than to the foe.
The fate of the Aztecs befell them because, while a conquering people, they had enslaved and tyrannized over the nations they subdued; extending to them no rights or privileges, but using them simply as means of supplying the pomp and luxury of the capital, and of providing men for its wars. Even the cities of the valley, the near neighbors of Mexico, were kept in a galling72 state of dependence73; and the result was that the whole of the Aztec Empire broke up at once, and fell upon its oppressors as soon as the coming of the Spaniards afforded them the opportunity for retaliation74 and revenge. Had it not been for this, it would have needed a force many times as numerous as that of Cortez to conquer an empire so extensive and populous75, and composed of peoples so brave and fearless of death.
Terrible as the destruction of life was, in the capture of Mexico, the Spaniards were not open to blame for it; except in the massacre of the nobles, for which conduct Cortez was in no way responsible. The war was not conducted with the cruelty that too often distinguished76 the warfare77 of the Spaniards. Cortez had certainly no desire to destroy the beautiful capital of the country he had conquered for Spain. The prisoners taken during the siege, and the people who came out and surrendered, were always treated with kindness, even when the Spaniards were maddened by the sight of the daily sacrifices of their countrymen by the Aztecs. Again and again, during the siege, Cortez endeavored to induce the enemy to come to terms; and after the fighting was over, the whole of the survivors were permitted to depart unharmed.
A fortnight after the fall of Mexico, Amenche and Roger were both convalescent. Amenche's wound had, after the first day, caused but little anxiety. She had fainted from loss of blood, and from the effects of the long strain which she had undergone, from the time that she had heard that Roger was a captive in the hands of the Mexicans, and destined78 for sacrifice at the temple. Under the influence, then, of happiness; and of the care and attention she received; she was, in two or three days, well enough to get up and go into the adjoining room, and sit by the couch of Roger; who was prostrated80 by fever, the result of imprisonment, anxiety, and his wounds. For a time his life was in danger; but after the crisis had passed, he too recovered rapidly.
Malinche came several times to see them, and a warm affection sprang up between her and Amenche.
"What do you mean to do, Roger?" she asked him one day, when she found him alone.
"I mean to marry Amenche, at once," he said; "and to go back to Europe, if possible, without delay."
"I have managed that for you," Malinche said. "I spoke13 to Cortez yesterday. The city cannot resist many days longer, and after that we hope that there will be no more fighting. At any rate, I told him that you were so shaken from what you had gone through, it would be a long time before you would be fit to carry arms again; and that you desired greatly to go to Europe, for a time; and he has consented that you shall go down to the coast with the first convoy81 of wounded, as soon as the city falls. Of course, he has given consent for your marriage with Amenche; and said, when I asked him, that she had fairly won you. He says that, if you return hither, he will give to Amenche a wide portion of her brother's dominions82. I did not tell him that it was little likely he would ever see you out here, again."
During the next fortnight, Roger instructed Amenche in the outlines of the Christian84 faith and, the day before the convoy was to start, three weeks after the fall of Mexico, Father Olmedo received her into the Church, and the marriage ceremony took place. It was attended by Cortez and most of his leaders, and by many of the native nobles.
Among them, Roger was glad to meet Cuitcatl. He was one of the party who had been captured with the emperor; and had been at once released, by Cortez, when the latter was informed by Malinche that he had befriended and released Roger. That evening, the two friends had a long talk together.
"You will be happy," Cuitcatl said, "and will come, in time, in your home in your own country, to look back at this terrible time as a troubled dream. I do not mourn for Cacama or Maclutha. They are fortunate in escaping the troubles that yet remain, for my unhappy country; for I well foresee that the Spaniards will gradually subdue51 those who have served them so well in their campaign against us. Their allies will in time become their subjects, until the whole empire of the Aztecs will lie prostrate79 at their feet.
"But whatever happens, I shall take no further part in it. I have fought by the side of the Aztecs against my own countrymen. I have done my best to save our nation from falling under the dominion83 of the Spaniards. I shall retire now to my estates, and devote myself to them. Cortez has given me a paper, signed by him, saying that I, although fighting against him, saved the life of a Spanish prisoner, who was the only one of those captured who escaped being sacrificed; and that, therefore, he orders all Spaniards to treat me with kindness and consideration, and confirms to me and my heirs, to all time, the possession of my estates free from all takes or imposts whatever. Malinche obtained this document from him, and has induced the treasurer85 and chamberlain, also, to affix86 their seals to it; and she says that it will be undoubtedly87 respected.
"As you know, Roger, I should long ago have married my cousin, who was one of Maclutha's ladies in waiting; but we deferred88 it until these troubles should be over. I have been to Tezcuco today, and we shall be married at the end of the week; so that I have every hope of leading a quiet and happy life, and think that, in the end, these troubles will tend to the happiness of the people of the country. As a Tezcucan, I can acknowledge that the Aztec tyranny was a heavy one, that the people were sorely oppressed. The wholesale89 sacrifices at the temples, now abolished forever, were the cause of constant wars; and I think that when the Spaniards once overcome all resistance, and establish a firm and stable government, the people will be happier than they ever could have been under the Aztec rule.
"What has become of Bathalda?"
"He accompanied us here, and then went off to your estates; saying that he should collect a few of his friends and occupy your house, to see that none took advantage of the troubles to plunder90 it. I recommend him to your care, Cuitcatl."
"There is no occasion to do that, Roger. He has been a faithful servant and friend, and shall in future be my right hand."
The next morning Malinche came to say farewell to them.
"How much has taken place, in the last four years, Roger!" she said. "Then, I was a slave girl. You were a captive in a strange country. What scenes we have passed through since then!
"I am sorry, indeed, that you are going, Roger," and the tears came into her eyes; "you were my first friend, and I have loved you ever since, as a brother. I shall miss you sorely, indeed. However, I know that you and Amenche will be happy together.
"Princess, I have something of yours," and she held up a heavy girdle.
Amenche gave a cry of joy.
"I missed it," she said, "but I thought that it must have fallen off in the boat, or as Roger carried me thence to the castle.
"See, Roger," she said, holding it out to them, "this is my dowry. I told you I should not come to you a penniless bride, but I have thought lately that I was mistaken. Maclutha, when she died, gave me all the jewels we carried away from the treasure room at Tezcuco. I selected all the most valuable ones, and sewed them into this broad girdle, which I put on under my things on the night when you escaped. Its loss has grieved me, though you have said that the two little bags you have, already, would suffice to make you rich. Still, they were Maclutha's, and I wanted to give you mine; but I could not think what had become of the belt."
"I found it on you, Amenche, when we loosened your robe to examine your wound; and put it by to give to you or Roger, whichever might recover; and now I am glad to hand it over, as your joint91 property. I have already returned Roger his own two little bags, that he had given me to take care of.
"And now, farewell to you both. You will think of me, sometimes, in your distant home in England?"
And Malinche, bursting into tears, hurried away.
The journey to the coast was an easy one, as the sick were all transported on litters, carried by native porters. The bracing92 air of the high land did much to restore the strength of the sick men, who had been suffering much from the terrible heat of the valley. The officer in command of the convoy halted them for a week on the Tlascalan plateau, in order that they might get the full benefit of the cool air; and by the time they reached the coast, and were carried on board ship, Roger felt his strength fast returning.
A comfortable cabin was assigned to him and Amenche, as Cortez had, at Malinche's request, written a letter specially93 commending them to the care of the officer in command of the ship. The voyage to Spain was a long one and, before the vessel58 arrived at Cadiz, Roger and Amenche were completely restored to health and strength.
Roger's success, indeed, had been beyond his wildest hopes. The two bags of jewels, and those which Amenche had brought away with her, would suffice to make him a very rich man. He had, too, an assortment94 of the finest Mexican stuffs, which Malinche had given him as a special present for his friends at home; and he had a bar of gold, of the value of a thousand pounds, which was his share (as one of Cortez's bodyguard) of the gold found at the capture of the capital.
He had learned, from a vessel which was spoken as they neared Spain, that England and Spain were in alliance against France; and he had no doubt, therefore, that he should find English ships at Cadiz. His heart was gladdened, as the vessel entered the port, by seeing the English flag flying on several vessels in harbor.
As soon as Roger and his companions landed, they were surrounded by an eager crowd, all anxious to learn more of the capture of Mexico; of which a swift vessel, sent off as soon as the city fell, had brought news six weeks earlier; and Roger had to tell the story of the siege a dozen times over.
As soon as he could get free from the crowd, he went to a money changer's, and obtained Spanish gold in exchange for his bar. Then he purchased, at a clothier's, a suit of garments of Spanish fashion and, putting these on, was able to move about without attracting observation.
Amenche did not disembark until after nightfall, but Roger's first care after landing was to purchase a chestful of garments, fit for a Spanish lady of rank, and to send them out to the vessel. Having sent these off, he made his way down to the port and, inquiring among the sailors, found that an English ship would sail on the following day.
Hiring a boat, he went on board. He determined95 to maintain his character as a Spaniard to the last, as he would thereby96 avoid all questions; and it was, accordingly, in that language that he arranged for a passage for himself and his wife, the captain taking him for a Spanish gentleman having business with the Court in London.
Having settled this, Roger returned on board and, late in the evening, was rowed with Amenche to the English ship, which was to sail early the next morning. The wind was favorable, and the ship made a quick passage. The captain and sailors amused Roger by their comments on his appearance. Never, they agreed, had they seen a Spaniard of such size and strength before.
"He stands six feet three, if he is an inch," an old sailor said, "and he is as broad as any man I ever saw. He is never a bit like a Spaniard in appearance, with his blue eyes and light brown hair. If you were to put him in good English broadcloth, and teach him to talk like a Christian, no one would dream he was other than an Englishman. The Spaniards generally have solemn faces, but this chap looks as if he could laugh and joke with the best of us. One could almost swear that he understood what I am saying, now."
As soon as they landed, near London Bridge, they went to an inn; and when the sailors who had carried his trunk for him had left, he addressed the landlord in English.
"Can you direct me to a clothier, where I can obtain suitable clothes?" he said. "I have been staying in Spain and, having been wrecked99 and lost all my outfit100, had to rig myself in Spanish fashion. I also wish to purchase clothing of English fashion for my wife."
"I thought you were an Englishman, by your looks," the landlord said; "though the fashion of your clothes was altogether foreign, and you speak, too, with a strange accent."
For indeed, Roger found the English words come with difficulty; after having, for nearly six years, spoken nothing but Mexican and Spanish.
"I have been some time away," he said; "and have been talking with the Spaniards until I have well-nigh forgotten my own tongue."
Two hours later, he was attired101 in the fashion of a well-to-do merchant; and Amenche made, as he told her, the prettiest wife merchant ever had. They stayed for a week in London, Amenche being greatly amused and interested in all she saw. At the end of that time, having purchased a stout102 horse, and a sword to defend himself against any robbers he might meet with on the way, Roger started to ride down to Plymouth, with Amenche behind him on a pillion.
Six days after leaving London they entered the town, and Roger, having seen Amenche comfortably bestowed103 at the principal inn, took his way to the house of Master Diggory Beggs. The latter was in his shop, and came forward, bowing, as Roger entered it.
"What can I do for you today, good sir?" he said. "I have goods of all sorts and kinds: Italian work and Spanish; silks, and satins, and velvets."
"I would have a talk with you alone, Master Beggs. I am the bearer of a message from an old friend of yours. If you will grant me a few minutes' talk, we may do business together."
"By all means," the merchant said, thinking that such an introduction offered some important transactions. "Will you be good enough to follow me?" and he led the way upstairs.
Dame104 Mercy was sitting at work with her youngest daughter when they entered the room, Diggory saying:
"Please to leave, Dame. This gentleman and I have business of importance to discuss together."
"There is no occasion for you to leave us," Roger said. "My business is not so private but that you and Mistress Agnes may hear us."
"You know my daughter's name!" Dame Beggs exclaimed, in surprise.
"The gentleman comes with a message from an old friend of ours," Diggory said; "and has doubtless heard him mention our daughter's name."
"And Dorothy," Roger asked; "she is well, I hope."
Roger gave an exclamation106 of satisfaction.
"And so none of you know me?" he asked. "And yet, you are but little changed; except that Mistress Agnes has grown into a young woman, whereas she was but a child when I parted from her."
Diggory Beggs and his wife gazed at Roger in astonishment107. Agnes stood up, with her hands tightly clasped together.
"It is Roger," she cried. "Oh, mother! It is Roger, come back to us."
"I am Roger, sure enough, aunt," he said, stooping and kissing her; and then shaking hands with his uncle, and kissing Agnes.
"And your father," Diggory asked, "and the Swan?"
"It is a sad story," Roger said. "A very sad story, uncle. Six years ago, the Swan was wrecked on the coast of Tabasco; and every soul, save myself, lost."
It was a blow for Diggory Beggs. He had, indeed, long since given up all hope of ever seeing his cousin Reuben, or of obtaining any return for the capital he had embarked108 on the Swan; but the sight of Roger had, for a moment, raised his hopes that the venture had, after all, been productive. However, he speedily recovered himself.
"I am grieved to hear it, Roger, though in no ways surprised. For two years we looked for your return; but we have all, long since, given up hope, and written off our shares in the Swan as lost money. I am sorry for Reuben, very sorry, for I loved him like a brother.
"Well, well, do not let us talk about it, now. You are restored to us, safe and sound; and though the loss was a heavy one, and crippled me for a time, I have got over it.
"Now, tell us what have you been doing, ever since. And by what miracle have you returned, safe and sound?"
"It is a long story, uncle. A very long story. But before I begin it, I may tell you that, though the ship and its venture were lost, I myself have returned by no means penniless; and can, indeed, repay to the full all the money expended109 upon the Swan and her outfit.
"Now I want you all to come round with me to the inn, for there I have left a lady whom I would fain introduce to you."
"Your wife?" Mistress Mercy cried. "You don't say you have brought home a wife, Roger?"
"That do I, aunt. She is a princess, in her own country; but what is much better, she is the dearest of women, and all but gave her life to save mine."
Mistress Mercy looked grave, and was about to speak, when Roger interrupted her.
"I know what you are about to say, aunt. The thought of having a foreign woman for your niece is shocking to you. Never mind, leave it unsaid, until you have seen her.
"But as we go, let us call in and see Dorothy, and take her on with us. I should wish her to be one of the first to welcome my wife."
Dorothy was as astonished as the others had been, when they arrived at her house with Roger; and cast a meaning glance at him, when she heard that he had brought home a wife.
"I know what you are thinking of, Dorothy--our parting on the hoe."
Dorothy laughed.
"I meant it when I said it, Dorothy, and meant it for a good time afterwards. It was only when it seemed that I should never come back again that I fell in love with some one else; and when you have heard my story, and know what she did for me, and how much I owe her, and come to love her for herself, you won't blame me."
"I don't blame you one bit, Roger," she said, frankly110. "When you went away, we thought we cared for each other; but of course we were only boy and girl then, and when I grew up and you did not come home, and it seemed that you never would come home, as you say, I fell in love with someone else.
"Her name is Amenche," Roger said; "and Amenche I mean to call her. When she was christened--for of course she had to be christened before we were married--Father Olmedo said she must have a Christian name, and christened her Caterina; but for all that her name is Amenche, and we mean to stick to it.
"But come along; she has been an hour alone in this strange place, already, and must begin to think that I have run away from her."
Dorothy and Agnes were at once won by the soft beauty of the dark-skinned princess; and when, that evening, Roger told the story of all that had taken place in Mexico, Dame Mercy's last prejudice vanished, and she took Amenche in her arms and kissed her tenderly.
"My dear," she said, "Roger has always been as a son to me, and henceforth you will be as one of my daughters."
As to Diggory, his delight and satisfaction were almost too great for words. He was overjoyed that Roger had returned, vastly gratified that the money he expended on the Swan was to be repaid, and greatly captivated by Amenche.
The princess could speak but a few words of English, for Roger had been afraid to commence her tuition in that language until they were safely in England: but she was greatly pleased with the welcome she received; and began, for the first time, to feel that someday she might come to regard this strange country as home.
There was a long talk, between Roger and his uncle, as to the steps that should be taken. It was agreed that, now Spain and England were so closely allied112, it would be imprudent in the extreme to allow it to become known that the Swan had sailed for the Western Indies, or that Roger had obtained wealth there; for if it came to the ears of the Court--and such strange news would travel fast--it might well be that a ruinous fine might be imposed upon all concerned in the matter. Therefore, it was arranged that nothing whatever should be said about it; but that it should be given out that the Swan had been wrecked in foreign parts; and that Roger, who had been sole survivor61 of the wreck98, had settled abroad and made money there, and had married a foreign lady.
More than that, it would be unnecessary to tell. The gems113 could be sent over, a few at a time, to Amsterdam; and there sold to merchants who would care nothing whence they came; and the partners of Diggory Beggs, in the venture of the Swan, would be only too glad to receive their money back again, and to ask no questions as to how it had been obtained. And so matters were carried out.
For some months, Roger remained in nominal114 partnership115 with his uncle; and then bought a large estate, a few miles out of the town, where he set up as a country gentleman. He was, for a time, somewhat shyly looked upon by the magistrates116 of the county, who deemed it an unheard-of thing for a Plymouth merchant thus to settle among them; but in time he was accepted, especially after it became known that, when he went up to town, he held his place among the highest there, and kept a state and expenditure117 equal to that of many of the nobles.
His wife was remarkable118, not only for her beauty, but for the richness of her jewels, many of which were fashioned in a way such as had never before been seen at the English Court. As time went on, and the relations between England and Spain grew cold, there was no longer any occasion for secrecy119; and little by little it became known that the Swan had sailed to the Spanish main, that Roger had formed one of the conquering band of Cortez, and that Amenche was not a Spaniard but an Aztec Princess. This caused a great talk at the time, and added much to the consideration in which Roger was held. He took a leading position in the country and, many years after, fitted out two ships at his own cost to fight against the Spanish Armada.
Happily, Amenche's health never suffered from the change to the comparatively cold climate of Devonshire. She bore Roger several children, and to this day many of the first families in Devonshire are proud that there runs in their veins120 the blood of the Aztec princess.
The End
The End
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1
passionate
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，激昂的，易动情的，易怒的，性情暴躁的 | |
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leech
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| n.水蛭，吸血鬼，榨取他人利益的人；vt.以水蛭吸血；vi.依附于别人 | |
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3
vestige
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| n.痕迹，遗迹，残余 | |
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tremor
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| n.震动，颤动，战栗，兴奋，地震 | |
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5
eyelids
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| n.眼睑( eyelid的名词复数 )；眼睛也不眨一下；不露声色；面不改色 | |
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drooped
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| 弯曲或下垂，发蔫( droop的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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dozes
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| n.打盹儿，打瞌睡( doze的名词复数 )v.打盹儿，打瞌睡( doze的第三人称单数 ) | |
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vigor
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| n.活力，精力，元气 | |
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din
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| n.喧闹声，嘈杂声 | |
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10
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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11
consultation
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| n.咨询；商量；商议；会议 | |
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12
turmoil
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| n.骚乱，混乱，动乱 | |
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13
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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14
kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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luxurious
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| adj.精美而昂贵的；豪华的 | |
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16
foe
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| n.敌人，仇敌 | |
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17
irresistible
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| adj.非常诱人的，无法拒绝的，无法抗拒的 | |
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18
breach
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| n.违反，不履行；破裂；vt.冲破，攻破 | |
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19
demolished
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| v.摧毁( demolish的过去式和过去分词 )；推翻；拆毁（尤指大建筑物）；吃光 | |
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20
reluctance
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| n.厌恶，讨厌，勉强，不情愿 | |
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21
trophy
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| n.优胜旗，奖品，奖杯，战胜品，纪念品 | |
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22
fortress
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| n.堡垒，防御工事 | |
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23
dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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24
rebellious
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| adj.造反的，反抗的，难控制的 | |
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25
implements
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| n.工具( implement的名词复数 )；家具；手段；[法律]履行（契约等）v.实现( implement的第三人称单数 )；执行；贯彻；使生效 | |
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26
steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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27
maneuvers
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| n.策略，谋略，花招( maneuver的名词复数 ) | |
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28
cavalry
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| n.骑兵；轻装甲部队 | |
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29
artillery
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| n.(军)火炮，大炮；炮兵(部队) | |
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30
exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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31
vassals
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| n.奴仆( vassal的名词复数 )；（封建时代）诸侯；从属者；下属 | |
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32
deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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33
compassion
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| n.同情，怜悯 | |
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34
crumbling
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| adj.摇摇欲坠的 | |
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35
monarch
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| n.帝王，君主，最高统治者 | |
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36
seizure
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| n.没收；占有；抵押 | |
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37
imprisonment
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| n.关押，监禁，坐牢 | |
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38
massacre
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| n.残杀，大屠杀；v.残杀，集体屠杀 | |
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39
profanation
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| n.亵渎 | |
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40
incessant
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| adj.不停的，连续的 | |
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41
lizards
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| n.蜥蜴( lizard的名词复数 ) | |
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42
overture
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| n.前奏曲、序曲，提议，提案，初步交涉 | |
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43
slaughtered
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| v.屠杀，杀戮，屠宰( slaughter的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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44
slaughter
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| n.屠杀，屠宰；vt.屠杀，宰杀 | |
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45
sanctuary
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| n.圣所，圣堂，寺庙；禁猎区，保护区 | |
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46
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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47
pestilence
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| n.瘟疫 | |
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48
defiant
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| adj.无礼的，挑战的 | |
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49
hatred
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| n.憎恶，憎恨，仇恨 | |
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50
subdued
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| adj. 屈服的，柔和的，减弱的 动词subdue的过去式和过去分词 | |
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51
subdue
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| vt.制服，使顺从，征服；抑制，克制 | |
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52
humiliated
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| 感到羞愧的 | |
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53
trumpets
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| 喇叭( trumpet的名词复数 )； 小号； 喇叭形物； （尤指）绽开的水仙花 | |
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54
reigned
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| vi.当政，统治（reign的过去式形式） | |
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55
parley
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| n.谈判 | |
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56
postponed
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| vt.& vi.延期，缓办，（使）延迟vt.把…放在次要地位；[语]把…放在后面（或句尾）vi.（疟疾等）延缓发作（或复发） | |
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57
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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58
vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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59
vessels
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| n.血管( vessel的名词复数 )；船；容器；（具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的）人 | |
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60
followers
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| 追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件 | |
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61
survivor
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| n.生存者，残存者，幸存者 | |
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62
survivors
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| 幸存者，残存者，生还者( survivor的名词复数 ) | |
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63
savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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64
fatigue
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| n.疲劳，劳累 | |
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65
swelled
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| 增强( swell的过去式和过去分词 )； 肿胀； （使）凸出； 充满（激情） | |
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66
incurred
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| [医]招致的，遭受的； incur的过去式 | |
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67
labors
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| v.努力争取(for)( labor的第三人称单数 )；苦干；详细分析；（指引擎）缓慢而困难地运转 | |
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68
taunted
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| 嘲讽( taunt的过去式和过去分词 )； 嘲弄； 辱骂； 奚落 | |
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69
defense
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| n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩 | |
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70
civilized
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| a.有教养的，文雅的 | |
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71
succumbed
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| 不再抵抗（诱惑、疾病、攻击等）( succumb的过去式和过去分词 )； 屈从； 被压垮； 死 | |
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72
galling
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| adj.难堪的,使烦恼的,使焦躁的 | |
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73
dependence
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| n.依靠，依赖；信任，信赖；隶属 | |
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74
retaliation
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| n.报复，反击 | |
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75
populous
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| adj.人口稠密的，人口众多的 | |
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76
distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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77
warfare
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| n.战争(状态)；斗争；冲突 | |
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78
destined
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| adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的 | |
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79
prostrate
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| v.拜倒，平卧，衰竭；adj.拜倒的，平卧的，衰竭的 | |
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80
prostrated
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| v.使俯伏，使拜倒( prostrate的过去式和过去分词 )；（指疾病、天气等）使某人无能为力 | |
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81
convoy
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| vt.护送，护卫，护航；n.护送；护送队 | |
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82
dominions
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| 统治权( dominion的名词复数 )； 领土； 疆土； 版图 | |
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83
dominion
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| n.统治，管辖，支配权；领土，版图 | |
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84
Christian
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| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
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85
treasurer
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| n.司库，财务主管 | |
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86
affix
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| n.附件，附录 vt.附贴，盖(章)，签署 | |
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87
undoubtedly
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| adv.确实地，无疑地 | |
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88
deferred
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| adj.延期的，缓召的v.拖延，延缓，推迟( defer的过去式和过去分词 )；服从某人的意愿，遵从 | |
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89
wholesale
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| n.批发；adv.以批发方式；vt.批发，成批出售 | |
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90
plunder
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| vt.劫掠财物，掠夺；n.劫掠物，赃物；劫掠 | |
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91
joint
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| adj.联合的，共同的；n.关节，接合处；v.连接，贴合 | |
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92
bracing
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| adj.令人振奋的 | |
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93
specially
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| adv.特定地；特殊地；明确地 | |
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94
assortment
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| n.分类，各色俱备之物，聚集 | |
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95
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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96
thereby
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| adv.因此，从而 | |
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97
tempted
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| v.怂恿（某人）干不正当的事；冒…的险（tempt的过去分词） | |
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98
wreck
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| n.失事，遇难；沉船；vt.(船等)失事，遇难 | |
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99
wrecked
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| adj.失事的，遇难的 | |
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100
outfit
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| n.（为特殊用途的）全套装备，全套服装 | |
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101
attired
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| adj.穿着整齐的v.使穿上衣服，使穿上盛装( attire的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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103
bestowed
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| 赠给，授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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104
dame
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| n.女士 | |
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105
eldest
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| adj.最年长的，最年老的 | |
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106
exclamation
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| n.感叹号，惊呼，惊叹词 | |
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107
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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108
embarked
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| 乘船( embark的过去式和过去分词 )； 装载； 从事 | |
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109
expended
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| v.花费( expend的过去式和过去分词 )；使用（钱等）做某事；用光；耗尽 | |
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110
frankly
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| adv.坦白地，直率地；坦率地说 | |
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111
hood
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| n.头巾，兜帽，覆盖；v.罩上，以头巾覆盖 | |
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112
allied
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| adj.协约国的；同盟国的 | |
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113
gems
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| growth； economy； management； and customer satisfaction 增长 | |
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114
nominal
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| adj.名义上的；(金额、租金)微不足道的 | |
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115
partnership
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| n.合作关系，伙伴关系 | |
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116
magistrates
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| 地方法官，治安官( magistrate的名词复数 ) | |
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117
expenditure
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| n.(时间、劳力、金钱等)支出；使用，消耗 | |
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118
remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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119
secrecy
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| n.秘密，保密，隐蔽 | |
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120
veins
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| n.纹理；矿脉( vein的名词复数 )；静脉；叶脉；纹理 | |
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