"I will not tell."

"You shall," cried the excited governor. will have this story from her own lips."

"I

With flashing eye, his whole manner expressing defiance, the brave lad replied:

"I will not tell, and you cannot make me." The governor pushed him aside, and walked across the apartment impatiently.

"It is the same story that comes from Darien," he muttered half aloud, "and, by St. Anthony! the boy shall tell, or I will put him to the rack. Where in the devil's name has he gone?" demanded the governor suddenly, on discovering that young Estevan had disappeared. Even then Christopher was hastening to his mother.

CHAPTER VIII.

DOÑA MARINA.

THE Tobascans, a tribe of Indians at whose territory Cortez touched, showed a strong disposition to resist him. He gave battle and defeated the savages. They sued for peace, and among their propitiatory gifts were twenty female slaves, one of whom proved to be of infinite more consequence than was anticipated by either the Spaniards or Tobascans. Estevan and Cortez were standing side by side when the twenty female slaves were brought to the Spaniards. Never saw the Spaniards a queen more graceful or beautiful than one of those slaves.

"Mark you, Estevan, how she bears herself," said Cortez. "Such diamond eyes, ruby lips, and

olive cheeks."

She was not attired in simple, barbaric costume, but wore a robe of rich cloth and beaded sandals on her feet, and her manner was modest and refined. Strangely moved, from the moment he set eyes on her, he felt he had met his destiny, and

declared that she was the most beautiful being he had ever seen.

The mind of the Spanish commander, however, was not long in reverting to the chief object of the conquest. Among other presents, the cacique had brought him many gold ornaments. Through his two interpreters he asked from whence the precious metal came. The cacique pointed to the west. "Mexico," he said.

Before taking his leave of the natives, Cortez caused the priests, Fathers Olmedo and Diaz, to enlighten their minds as far as possible in regard to the great truths of revelation, urging them to embrace the true faith in place of their own heathen abominations. The perceptions of the Tobascans had been materially quickened by the discipline they had undergone, and they made but faint resistance to this proposal. The next day was Palm Sunday, and their conversion was celebrated by one of those pompous ceremonies of the Church, which made a lasting impression on the minds of the Indians.

A procession of military and ecclesiastics was formed, each soldier carrying a palm-branch in his hand. The great concourse was swelled by thousands of Indians of both sexes, following in curious astonishment. The long lines moved through flowery savannas that bordered the settlement, to the

principal temple, where an altar was raised, and the image of the presiding deity deposed to make room for the Virgin and the infant Saviour. Mass was celebrated by Father Olmedo, all the soldiers capable joining in the solemn chant. In silent wonder the natives listened, their hearts penetrated with reverential awe for the God of those terrible beings.

The religious ceremonies over, Cortez bade the converts adieu, well satisfied with the impression he had made. Going aboard their vessels the little fleet spread sails to receive the breeze and skimmed over the waves to the golden shores of Mexico. They held their course so near to land that the sailors could see the inhabitants along the shores of the gulf.

"We are approaching a grand country," said Cortez to Estevan.

"It is a noble land, general. Each hour unfolds new wonders."

When the fleet arrived off San Juan de Ulua, an island so named by Grijalva, and glided along under easy sail on the bosom of the waters, crowds of natives gathered on the shore of the main land and gazed at the strange phenomenon. Cortez gave orders to anchor under the lee of the island. Scarce had the ships came to anchor, when Estevan from the forecastle called to Cortez:

"General, there comes a pirogue filled with natives from the main land."

"I see it, and they are heading directly for our vessel."

The Indians came on board with frank confidence, inspired by the accounts of the Spaniards spread by their countrymen who had traded with Grijalva. They brought presents of fruits and flowers, and little ornaments of gold, which they gladly exchanged for the usual trinkets. Cortez called Aguilar to interpret what they said, but he was unable to understand them.

"Can't you interpret their language?" Cortez asked.

"No, they speak Aztec, which I do not understand; but one of the twenty slaves whom you took from the Tobascans is an Aztec," answered Aguilar.

"Do you mean the beautiful maiden?"

"Yes."

"Send her to me. ""

When she came on deck, Cortez again surveyed her with a critic's eye. Her lofty bearing, gorgeous eyes, shapely bust, rising and falling beneath deep respirations, her olive-tinted cheek, clear enough to show the rich blood beneath the skin, and her ruby lips, were productive of a spell from which Cortez never recovered.