"Why should I lie?" replied Guatimozin. "If you go to Tacuba, you will see the banks of the island--the city of the water is not there. If you look from Iztapalapan, the surges go rushing up towards the great temple--the houses are under the lake--If you look from the door of my dwelling, you will see the quarter of Tepejacac falling also into the lake. When Malintzin calls aloud in the morning, the lord of the red hair answers him, and Malintzin hears. Thus it is with Mexico; yet my brother sleeps, while I die, saying to his soul, 'It is all very just, for I sleep and see not.'" "If I see not and help not, yet is my heart torn by your distresses," replied Juan, earnestly. "But why should I help? It would be a great sin upon my soul, and could do you no good. Listen to my counsel, Guatimozin: It is not yet too late. Cease to protract an unavailing resistance; send to Cortes with offers of submission, and be assured of reigning still, a king, though a vassal." "Does Guatimozin fight to be a king?" said the infidel, with dignity. "He struck the Spaniard before he thought of a crown. He thinks not of palaces and fine garments, but says, 'Why should the people of Mexico be made slaves?' The king fights for Mexico." "He will fight best for Mexico with peace. The kings of Tezcuco and Iztapalapan pay tribute to Mexico--are their people slaves? Thus shall it be with Mexico: the king shall give gold, as the tributary of Spain, and Mexicans shall remain in freedom." "Will my brother prattle like Malintzin?" demanded the monarch, sternly. "Where is the freedom of Zempoala, of Tlascala, of Cholula? The people talk of it, while a Spaniard strikes them with a lash. Where is the freedom of Tezcuco? The young king, who is a boy, sits on the throne; but the Spaniard, whom my brother struck in the face with a sword, when he chased Olin-pilli, is there with him, and he robs and abuses the people, so that they have sent their tears to Malintzin. What was the fate of Montezuma? He sat in the Spaniards' house in chains, and the soldiers murdered his nobles, who danced in peace in the courtyard. What was the fate of Montezuma? The Spaniard, who is lord of the king of Tezcuco, would have done violence to the captive maiden--Does my brother remember?" "Ay!" replied Juan, with the gleam of passion that visited his eyes, only when he spoke of Guzman: "I remember, and I hope yet to avenge--Sinner that I am, I cannot think it a crime, to covet the blood of this man!--But, prince, let me know--My captivity is very hard--Why should I not be allowed to speak with the princess? Why should my sister be hidden from me?" The countenance of Guatimozin darkened. "When my brother will fight for them, he shall be at liberty. My brother thinks again of the canoe at the bottom of the garden?" Juan coloured, and said, "You keep me a prisoner--I strove to escape. The king mocks me, to call me his brother."