"Then we must employ other means to this leader of yours. But you can and will speak of other matters. You have been an honoured noble--a god even!" he sneered. "Mexico welcomed you with open arms, and made you a general. Therefore you can speak of the defences--of measures taken to hold our attacks in check. You have been brought here for that purpose. Speak, now, so that all may hear." "To do so would be to betray those who are my friends. I am on their side, and their secrets are mine, and are safe." Roger faced the general quietly, his arms folded, and his head and shoulders towering over the members of the meeting. His eye swept along the line, and he looked coldly into every face till he arrived at that of the captain who had effected his capture. "You mean that you will not speak?" Roger nodded. "I give you two minutes to tell your tale. If you fail when the time is gone, you shall be hanged. To-morrow morning at dawn you will be tossed from the branch of a tree and left to dangle." The general looked at Roger with scowling brows, while the company leaned forward expectantly. But Roger was not to be frightened, though he had expected death from the moment of being captured. "Why wait till to-morrow, general?" he asked coldly. "I have said that they are my friends. Would you act the part of traitor? Then do not ask me to do such a thing. Hang me if you wish it, but let me be true to my side." "One minute has passed," was the answer, as the general drew out a cumbersome watch. "Less than one minute remains. Afterwards----" He greeted his prisoner with another ominous look; but Roger stood his ground without flinching. He looked calmly at his enemies, and bowed when the time had passed--bowed so coolly, and showed so little concern, that there was a murmur of applause, while Fernando Cortes, though he was bound to preserve an immovable countenance, displayed some admiration. But he was a stern man, and his word was his word. "At six of the clock to-morrow morning," he said, snapping the watch to. "Captain, you will see to the execution. I shall be there. March the prisoner out." CHAPTER XIV Roger is true to his Comrades Roger and his guard of Spaniards marched out of the presence of Fernando Cortes in silence, the eyes of all following, some showing pity, some admiration of the bravery of the youth who could thus, alone amidst enemies, face his captor so boldly. As for the generalissimo, his scowl left him as the doorway and its curtain intervened between him and his captive, and he turned an inquiring eye upon his comrades. "Will he yield? And does he know aught of the disc?" he demanded curtly.