He was a majestic-looking personage, much taller than the average Indian. Indeed, he was as huge as Tim himself, but not so bulky. He wore a long white robe, falling to his feet, over this a mantle of gaudy leather-work. On his head was set a fresh chaplet of flowers, on his breast burned the red glimmer of a small opal. Advancing into the middle of the room, he swung a small incense-burner before Jack, throwing therein some odoriferous gum, which made a thick, perfumed smoke. After this, he cast some flowers on the couch, and muttered a few words with uplifted hands, finally ending the ceremony by falling on his knees. "What does this mean?" asked Jack of Cocom, who stood reverently on one side, observing all this mummery. "Hush, Señor! He adores you as a god." "Devil take him and his worship," muttered Jack, crossly, in English. Then the priest spoke in the Indian tongue, and Cocom translated his speech to Jack. "Is my lord better in health?" asked the priest. "Tell him I am; but I don't care about being preserved for sacrifice." "Speak not so, Don Juan," said Cocom, in Spanish, with a look of alarm; "you are not supposed to know anything of that. I told you on the peril of my life." "Then tell him whatever lies you please!" said Duval, viciously, and, rolling over, turned his back on the priest. "A bad sign!" murmured the priest, looking anxiously at Cocom. "Is my lord angered?" "Nay," replied Cocom, in the Indian tongue; "my lord is much improved in health, oh, Ixtlilxochitl; but as with all who are ill at ease, he is fretful and wanting in courtesy." "It is true," replied Ixtlilxochitl, reverently. "The sick are ever foolish. See that thou make him strong, Cocom, for the gods accept naught but blooming health." "Oh, my sacred lord; he will be cured in two days from now. Cocom knows of magic herbs whereby the favourite of Huitzilopochtli can be made whole. Let Ixtlilxochitl be content, my lord will be pure and strong for the sacrifice." "It is well," said the priest, rising from his knees. "I will leave my lord to his sleep; but will he not vouchsafe one glance at his servant?" Instructed by Cocom, Jack was forced to turn round and smile at the priest, who knelt down to receive this mark of favour. Then he adored Jack with more incense and flowers, after which he withdrew with reverent genuflections. "The old fiend!" muttered Jack, when the drapery had again veiled the door. "I should like to have sent a boot at his head." "Hush, my lord Juan." "Carrai! why should I? That devil-monkey does not understand Spanish." "No, Señor. Still, it is wiser to risk nothing." "You are quite right, Cocom. I place myself entirely in your hands. Save me, and I promise you I shall not forget you." "Cocom will save you, for the sake of Don Miguel," said the old man, proudly; "and for the sake of the lady Dolores." "Dolores!" repeated Jack, eagerly. "Do you know where she is?"