All this time, he kept his eyes fixed upon Befo as if dreading an assault; and, in fact, his solicitude had somewhat overpowered his mind, so that he continued for some moments to reiterate the above phrases, without any seeming consciousness of their absurdity. At last, he fell into his vernacular language, and this happily releasing him from his trammels, he poured forth, with amazing volubility, a string of sounds, so harsh, guttural, inarticulate, and unearthly, that they seemed rather the basso chatterings of an ape than the meaning accents of a human being. "What says the knave?" cried Cortes. "He says," replied Juan, "that he is the little dumb dog of the hills, and will harm nobody; that Montezuma was a big dog, like Befo, (wherein he lies,) and that Guatimozin the prince is bigger still, and will eat him,--which is to be understood figuratively. He says, he is the Little Dog, and therefore not fit to be an ambassador; but--Ha! what sayst thou, Techeechee?"-- The young man spoke to the Ottomi in his own tongue, and receiving an answer, turned immediately to Cortes, saying, "It becomes me to inform your excellency of his words; for savage though he be, this old man I have ever found to be marvellously shrewd, as well as faithful. It is his opinion, that the prince Guatimozin would not injure _me_, if I went on the embassy; wherefore, I beg your excellency to reconsider your resolution. He says, too, he will go with me." "Your destiny, senor, is to the rebellious and bloody town Tochtepec," replied the general, quickly and decidedly. "He adds," continued Juan, "that he is Techeechee and no ambassador; but that he is cousin to Quimichin, the Ground Rat, and that he will be your spy,--for _quimichin_ is the word by which they express a spy throughout the whole land." "I am Techeechee; I will be Quimichin," said the Indian, as if to confirm the words of Juan, and twisting his withered features into a smile, that was meant to express both cunning and affection. "Dost thou think him faithful?" said Cortes. "I will find service for him. But go, amigo! I have kept thee till thou art as faint and weary as myself. Get thee to Quinones, and the armory. Make thy preparations and take thy rest. I will see thee on the morrow--perhaps to-night, and acquaint thee with thy force and instructions. God be with you--Nay, heed not the dog--Adieu, senores--He has much of your own fidelity, roam he never so much. Take him with you." When the last of the cavaliers had departed from the chamber, the Captain-General, stepped upon the platform, and throwing himself into the chair of state, sat or reclined thereon, with the air of one worn out by exertion of mind and body, and on the eve of sinking into a swoon. CHAPTER VIII.