The latter rose to his feet and , with the aid of the native , unfastened the cords that bound his ankles together . For half an hour he paced up and down the chamber , to restore the circulation to his feet . Then the guard replaced the cords , but did it in such a way that , though they seemed as tight and secure as before , they would at a slight effort fall off , and leave him free . At eight o'clock in the evening the guard was relieved . He had told Roger that he was to listen for the cry of an owl outside , twice repeated ; and that upon hearing this , he would know that his friends were without . Roger listened anxiously for the password from his new guard ; but as it did not come , he concluded that Cuitcatl had not been able to bribe him , and that he must himself overpower the man . The Aztec placed himself at the loophole , and stood looking out ; turning , from time to time , to see by the light of the torch , which was fixed close to where Roger was lying , that he was making no attempt to release himself from his bonds .
The latter rose to his feet and , with the aid of the native , unfastened the cords that bound his ankles together . For half an hour he paced up and down the chamber , to restore the circulation to his feet . Then the guard replaced the cords , but did it in such a way that , though they seemed as tight and secure as before , they would at a slight effort fall off , and leave him free . At eight o'clock in the evening the guard was relieved . He had told Roger that he was to listen for the cry of an owl outside , twice repeated ; and that upon hearing this , he would know that his friends were without . Roger listened anxiously for the password from his new guard ; but as it did not come , he concluded that Cuitcatl had not been able to bribe him , and that he must himself overpower the man . The Aztec placed himself at the loophole , and stood looking out ; turning , from time to time , to see by the light of the torch , which was fixed close to where Roger was lying , that he was making no attempt to release himself from his bonds .