Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1840-07-17


1t made him more thoughtful than angry,
and he asked many questions about HIM, then
shook his head, walked the room and mutter-
ed. l could only hear by piccc-mcal. "Of
polcy-no heir to mysclf-thc security of
the empirc--a noble bearing-better for my
successor than noblc--I will think of it
she loves him too--his influence among the
copc-consolidate the empire" l could
hear nothing consecutively.'
Mark me, my noble mistress--you will
yet be happy!
Il cannot tell you, Ophcl. He kissed
me-
who =
MY father, minion-when left him-but
tremblcd when looked in his face and saw
how dark his eyes were. lie dare not slay
him, for he knows he will Stay his daughter
with the same blow
'What do you think will be done with him
that is, provided the emperor does not give
him to you for husbandl'
Silence, Ophicl, child lie shall not de-
and if they keep him in prison, womans
wits can get him out
'As | left him, my father babe me meet
IlilH III SOuuSl curly VII
Il augur something from this.
May it be of good was the toreboding
reply.
Thus speaking, the unhappy princess, ac-
companied by her attendants, retired to her
apartment for the night.
III.
The ensuing day, in the imperial hall of
justice, safe the emperor, sole judge and
arbier of every case brought before this fear
full tribunal. His word was the law-with
him lay the power oflife and death. lie was
enthroned in grandeur, commensurate with
his high station, surrounded by his stately
mobiles and Offering court. A jewel of great
size, Of mingled hucs, and dazzling as the
sun, blazed OH his crown. Before him, on
marble slab, elevated above the floor, stood
his executioner, holding in his hand and res
ting upon it, gigantic sword, cleaning in
every beam. On the right of the emperor
and step below him, on throne of pearl
inlaid with gold, sat the princess EyNa, pale
and dropping, yet observant of all that pas
sed. She was attended by brilliant galaxy
of the ladies OF her court. The emperor was
stern and silent, and though from time to
time his daughter cast a glance furivcly up
wards to read his face, it exprcssion foied in
depreciation. 1t afforded neither hope MOI
despair. The emperor now waved his hanc
"a trumpet soundcd-and loaded to the cartl
with chains, the youthful prisoner wa:
brought in the presence of his Judge. With
out trial-without even naming the Offence
with which he was charged-thc emperor
after gazing on him moment, gave parch
ment to one who stood at the foot of TIT
throne, and babe him read aloud. Instant,
the trumpots sounded thricc-thrice heral'
cried "Long live the emperor, the brother o
the sun and governor Of the universe ''-an'
thrice again the trumrets resounded.
lit is known to all the world that the pre-
sent dazzling stone which adorns the impc
rial crown, was found more than one thou
sand years ago in the throat of a condor
which fell dead in the court of the palace
From the variety of its HUGS and its brillianc
there remains no doubt that it was brough
from the glittcring peak of the Mountain O
=, the Burning Stone. Every diamond havin
its mate, 1t has been the ambition OF mum
erous empcrors to obtain the mate to this; an
it is estimated that more than million Q
states prisoners have persisted in the cours
of ages, in endcavoring to purchase the
forfeited lives, byreaching the summit. A
! vet no human foot has trod it, and the da
mond is yet unclaimed.
Now, inasmuch as Montezuma, son {
= Mclcf the nct-makcr, has been adudged
r traitor, he is hereby condemned to be cor
, veyed from hence, closely guarded and
;, chains, to the foot of the Mountain of tn
= Burning Stone, and there released. If h
!, ascend the mountain and return with the mat
! to this stone or stone of its like, he sha
not only be pardoncd for his treason, BIT
shall receive in marriage the princess Eyll
y and succeed the emperor in the empire.
q he refuse to go up or fail in the attempt, /
e shall die an ignominous death, by the axe
the cxccutioner. Long live the cmpero
!, ust and WISE
i Thrice the trumpcts sounded, and am
the acclamations, murmurs of surprise an
q adulating shouts of the enslavcd people, hiG
y above which ose the wild shrek Of the pril
= cess, the emperor dissolved the assembl,
:, court and retired within the inner chambe
of the palace.
&c Nighthad scarcely begun to veil the stree
g fthe capital in gloom, ere the private poster
that gave access to the quarters of the pala'
occup pied by the princess Eylla, was ca
tious Y opened, and female figure can
forth with her mantllla closely drawn abo
her form and covering all her face, save OF
f. lively eye. But with all her care, each pa
scr-by knew her to be Ophiel, the favori
slave of the princess. After surveying t
Sc ground about her, to see that she was uno
served, she hastily darted across the sire
into the shadow Of a temple, and swiftly PIT
D. sued her way through many windings a
lie across many squares. until she came to a
ut duplicated building, which had formerly be
&c the abode of minister of state, who, wi
Id his whole family, had been beheaded with
m its chambers for treason. 1t was now t
abode of sorcercss, who, to many otl
n marvellous sciences, added the knowlcd
a. of the secret virtues of all herbs, so that
her art and skill she could both convey dei
e; through the eye and restore life by brca
th At the sunkcn DOrtal of this dread abO(