"Yes, you may try. Until you have done so, we will not despair; our combined efforts may prove successful," said Euetzin, getting onto his feet, with the assistance of the youth. "Now lean on me," said Hualla, putting his arm around the tzin's body. "In this way I think we can get on." A heroic effort was now made by both to get away from the vicinity of Maxtla's camp. The tzin suffered intensely at every step, and his face, could it have been seen, would have shown a deathly pallor. While the effort continued he found it necessary to gradually lean more heavily upon his support, until the youth, from sheer inability to proceed farther, allowed his burden to sink to the ground. They had covered in the effort quite a little distance, and the lad, though considerably exhausted, was encouraged. But just here a new complication entered into the situation: the bandages which confined the tzin's wound had become disarranged by his exertions, and hemorrhage ensued. There was no alternative in the matter: they must stop and rearrange the disordered bandages. Stretching himself on the ground, the tzin gave directions to Hualla as to how he should proceed, and the bleeding was checked. In performing the operation, no woman's fingers ever worked more gently than did Hualla's. The tzin once more endeavored to rise to his feet, but failed in the attempt because of the extreme pain it caused him. "I can go no farther, Hualla," he said, in deep distress. The lad appeared to be greatly affected by the failure, as Euetzin could discern, even in the darkness. He walked away a few steps, as if to hide his emotion. Returning presently, he said, in an excited tone of voice: "Tzin Euet, you must escape. Macua, my master, and Hualcoyotl--yes, Ixtlilchoatl, too, would have it so. I will carry you." Euetzin was astonished at the vehemence in the youth's actions, and also at his allusion to Ix and the two princes. He quickly inquired: "Are you a servant to Macua, and here at his bidding?" "Yes, I am a servant to Macua, but he knows nothing of my being here. I heard the voice of sorrow when it was discovered that you were missing, and in that moment resolved to save you, if it could be done," replied the youth, fervidly. "You are a noble lad, Hualla, and should I escape to live, your conduct shall be richly rewarded." "You must escape," repeated the youth in a voice of great earnestness. "Get upon my back, and I will bear you to the woods." "I do not think you have the strength, Hualla, to do that; and if you had, it would be too much to expect of you." "Yes, it would be much to expect of me, if it were not a case of life and death. That makes the difference, tzin, and you must allow me to make the attempt." Euetzin was silent for a moment, and then said: "Hualla, I think we will have to give your proposition a trial, as it appears to be our only hope, though a slight one, of reaching those woods."