The tzin was not a small man, nor was he large, but, nevertheless, a heavy load for such a person as Hualla to carry for any considerable distance. The feat was undertaken with some degree of success; and as the tzin was borne along on the back of the youth a tinge of shame might have been seen to redden his tawny brow, brought there by a thought of his unmanly position, and the boy's wonderful and almost superhuman efforts to get him into the woods. Hualla succeeded in covering more than half the distance they had to go, but it was a fearful draught upon his strength, and he finally had to succumb from complete exhaustion. He said not a word, but dropped upon the ground and fairly gasped for breath. Euetzin was deeply moved by the evident distress of the brave lad, who lay panting at his side, and for whom he could do nothing. He silently waited for him to recover, wondering the while if there was not some other incentive than that of devotion to his master back of the prodigious efforts he was making in his behalf. Hualla lay perfectly still for some time, when he suddenly got up and said: "Another effort like that, tzin, will bring us safely within the woods. If you are ready, I will try again." "You will not try again, Hualla," replied the tzin, firmly. "If we can not gain the woods in some other way I will remain where I am. You shall not again exhaust yourself thus for my sake." "I will do anything, tzin Euet, to secure your safety," was the lad's earnest rejoinder. "I believe you would, Hualla. Still, I do not intend that you shall hurt yourself in doing it. I can not understand why you--a stranger--should exert yourself to the extent you are doing to secure my safety. The thought of it amazes me." "Do not think of it, then, tzin. So long as I am pleased to help you, it should not be so very wonderful. I have my own reasons for doing it; let that satisfy you--until you are safe, at least." "It is wonderful, nevertheless, my lad. However, if it pleases you to serve me in this way, and the service is accepted--which it is, with unbounded gratitude--its acceptance should be without question. So, Hualla, I'll trouble you no more about it. If you will permit me to lean on you for support, we will make another effort--such as we made in starting out. I will try my best to endure the attendant suffering," said the tzin. Hualla assisted him to his feet, and caught him about the waist, holding him for a moment, until he was assured of his ability to proceed. The pain, which the effort cost him, was great, but, shutting hard his teeth, and leaning heavily on the lad, who put forth his best efforts, the tzin slowly, but surely, reduced the distance to the woods, until, finally, after several successful efforts, he entered its sheltering confines, where the two--one bruised and sore, the other almost exhausted--laid themselves down to await the coming morn, which was not very far away. CHAPTER XXXII.