The keeper of prisoners retired, and, after a few minutes' absence, returned, accompanied by Cacami. The young warrior was looking pale, but resolute. He walked with a firm step to his place in the court; and being a man of superb physique, admirably proportioned, with a bright eye and handsome face, his appearance elicited a murmur of voices, which was evidently an expression of admiration. Directly followed Itlza, in company with Euetzin. She was beautifully but plainly dressed, and never looked more attractive. The audience was perfectly quiet for a moment, while she was being seated, when its tongue again became active and a subdued buzz arose from it. Itlza was given a seat near her husband, while the tzin occupied one only a short distance off. When she sat down, her hand quickly found its way into Cacami's, the clasp of which seemed to give her courage. The officer, whose duty it was to observe order, commanded silence, and the chief justice proceeded to say: "The keeper of records will read the charge under which the prisoner at the bar is held accused." Again the nasalated twang of the recorder's voice was heard to wring out quite distinctly, as he read: "It is charged that Cacami, a warrior and subject of the realm, contrary to, and in defiance of, a most sacred law of the same, did hurt and injure the feelings, and spoil the affections of Hualcoyotl, the king, by engaging and marrying with Itlza, a daughter of Euzelmozin, who was the chosen of Hualcoyotl to be his queen; to which charge Cacami shall give satisfactory answer, or stand convicted, and shall, if it be so decided, suffer the penalty therefor, which is death." "What has the prisoner, Cacami, to say in answer to the charge under which he stands committed?" asked the judge of the accused. Cacami rose in his place, and calmly replied: "I will abide the decision of the court. Let the trial proceed." * * * * * We are informed by traditional history that the profession and practice of law was not extant among the Anahuacans. No counsel was, therefore, at hand to be employed in the defense of a prisoner or litigant. The parties involved in the trial stated their own case, and won or lost, according to the weight of the evidence furnished through their witnesses. In criminal cases the procedure was necessarily different, charges being preferred and published in open court, which the accused was compelled to refute or stand convicted. The laws regulating testimony were most liberal. The accused was entitled to give evidence, and, if he so desired, address the court in his own behalf, and the force of what he said was not impaired by the fact that he was on trial. * * * * * After a few preliminary matters were attended to, the judge again addressed the accused: "Cacami, the prisoner, will rise and answer." Cacami stood up, and the judge continued: