"Is not the prisoner," he cried, "the prey of the victor? The Spaniard burns the captive in the shoulder, and makes him a slave. Which is cruel? The prisoner and the felon we give to the gods--it is good. Did the Eagle ever behold a Mexican chain men to a stake, and burn them with fire? Yet he saw Malintzin burn the Chief of Nauhtlan and the fifteen warriors, in the palace-yard, in a great fire made with Mexican bows and arrows! Which, then, is cruel?" "This act I will not defend," said Juan, "and it was my presumption in censuring it, that made Cortes my enemy. But, prince, let us speak of these things no more, for our arguments shake not each other's minds. Let me speak of myself, for it is just thou shouldst know my resolve. I am thy friend, but I will not lift my hand against my countrymen." The countenance of the king darkened: "Is not the Great Eagle brave? He fears his enemies!" "I fear _nothing_," said Juan, with conscious dignity, "else would I speak no words to lose thy favour. I will be thy prisoner, thy sacrifice, if thou wilt.--I lament the fate that is coming upon thee, but I cannot fight in thy cause." Guatimozin eyed him earnestly, as if to read his soul; and then said, a little softly, "The Great Eagle knows all things: he shall rest in the palace all day, and at night, speak wise things to the king." "Neither in this can I aid thee," replied Juan, resolutely. "What I know of religion and moral duties,--nay, all that I know of civilized arts, that are not military,--this much I am free to communicate; but nothing more. I can no more help thee to fight with my knowledge, than with my arm." This was a declaration of principles somewhat above the powers of the infidel to appreciate, and it filled him, as Juan saw, with serious displeasure. He took him by the arm, and spoke sternly and even menacingly: "The faith of a Christian is not that of a Mexican. The Indian kills his foes and the foes of his friend: the Christian forgets his friend, when his friend is in trouble." Juan was stung by the reproach, and replied with emphasis: "The king took me from the prison-house of Tezcuco: the block was in waiting for me. Who talked to me of prisons and of blocks, before Olin came to the garden?" Guatimozin grasped his hand, and spoke with impetuosity,--