The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1883-07-19
Tho Valley OF hIoxIco.

the object Of their toll and suffering
stretching from the slope Of the forest clad
ranges at their feet as far as the eye could
reach, and presenting cne picturesque iu-
termingling of green prairies, golden fields,
and blooming gardens, clustering round a
series of lakes. Towns lay thickly sprinklcd,
revealed by towering edlfices and gleam-
ing walls, and conspicuous above all, the
queen city herself, placi1iy repoang uI,on
the mIrrorcd surface of the larger water.
Above her rose the cyprcss.crown hill of
Chapultepec, with Its stately palace copsc-
Grated to the glories of Aztec domination.
The first transport over, there came a
rcvulsion of feeling. The evidently dcpse
population of tho valley and tho many
fortified towns confirmed the mysterious
warnings Of the allies against a powerful
and warlike people, and again the longing
Tor the snug and secure plantations OF Cuba
found expression amoug the faint hearted.
as they shvcrcd in the icy blast and
wrapped themselves the closer in the aU
scnce Of. food and shelter. In this frame
of mind the glstening farm-houscs seemed
only 30 many troops OF savage warriors,
lurking amidst the copses aud arbors for
victims to grace the stone Of sacrifice and
the festive board; and the stately towns
appeared lmpregnable fortrcsscs, which
promised only to become their prisous and
graves SO loud grew tic murmurs as TO
Indicate mullny; but Corlcs with his usual
firm words, quoted the soldiers, supported
as he was by the spirited majority.
After descending for a short distance
shey came to the travellers station OF
Z nuhtechcali. whose commodious edfices
afforded room for the whole army. The
Mexlcans had prepared for the arrival by
furnishing an abundance OF provisl ons,
with fires in all the rooms, and the tired
soldiers eagerly gave themselves up TO re-
pose. No less exhausted than they, Cortcs
nevertheless could not think Of rest I'LL he
had seen to the security Of the camp. Ills
prudence on tins occasion came near cost
ing him dearly, Tor in the darkness sen
tlnel taking him for a spy drew his cross.
bow. Fortunately he lad heard the click
and announced himself. This prOmplnrss
on the part OF the guard was by no means
unnecessary; during the night d, zen or
more prowling natives met the fate which
The General 80 narrowly escaped They
were supposed to have been the spies Nf
an army hidden IN the forest, which, on
observing the watchlulncss of the Span
lards, abandoned the prcmcdtatcd attack.
Montezuma's fears appeared to grow
with the approach Of Cortcs. and so did
his anxiety about tue import of the message
which must be delivered to him alone
Could there be a design upon his pcrsonl
This must be ascertained before the inva
dcrs came too near. Among his courticrs
was q noble named Tzihuacpopoca, who
greatly rcsem6led MIN III person ana VoiUu.
II IA he commanded to proceed to the
Spanish camp. attended by large rctinue,
and by representing himself as the Emper-
or to ascertain from the white chlet what
his intentions were, and to induce him
with liberal offers to turn back. The idea
was based on an Incident which had oc-
cured not many years before, wherein
one Of the tripArtite monarchs saved ms
life by appearing III proxy at Il trcacncrous
Court. Montezuma hoped to derive from
similar trick more than one advantage.
Tzlhuacpopoca arrived at the mountain
camp the morning after the Spaniurds had
entered it, and created no little excitement
by the announcement that the Emperor
was present IN person. Preparations were
made to give him a brilliant reception.
Unfortunately for the envoy. lis secret
had too many keepers III tho large suite
attending him: there were also many
among the allies who had been at Monte
zuma's court, and who looked on this siI,.-
den arrival as suspicious. They made
inquiries and soon asccrtaiDcd the truth.
Cortes received the great man with cour
tesy, hcralded as he was with a present of
200 pesos de orc, but he resolved to take
advantage of the discovery to impress him
with his penetration. After few moments
convers alton he told the noble with severe
tone he was not the monarch he represent
ed himeel to be- lie also referred TO the
attempts made during the night to surprise
the camp, as Indicated by the dead spies.
and assured him that his men were always
prepared against plots and deception, and
any attempts against them would lead only
10 the discontinue and grief of The enemy.
Awcd by the superior intelligence and
power of the General, the envoy thought
no longer of anything else than to keep
such Il man from entering Mexico. lie
presented among other reasons that the city
could be reached only IN canoes, and that
provisions were difficult to obtain there.
Tie repeated the offer already made OF an
annual tribute payable in treasures on the
coast, and promised as Il brlhc for Corlcs
himself four loads of gold, and for each of
his officers and men one load Dazzing as
the offer was, Cortcs regarded it as but
faint reflection OF still richer treasures, the
attainment II which must procure for him
greater glory than he had yet dreamed of.
In his srepiy he accordingly pointed out how
stron9e 1t must appear to turn back now
that he was within view Of the goal. Such
conduct would disgrace any envoy. Mol
he dared not disobcy The orders of his
king, who had sent him up ~ mission of
great benefit TO Montez,ln,a lie would
leave as.soon as this Was accomplished, If
desired.
Nothing abashcd by this rebuff. Monte.
yuma again had recourse to the black art,
and sent number OF solccrcrs, the native
records say, to cast spells on The Spaniards
They soon returned with the report that on
nearing TIalmanalco, Tczcatlipoca had ap-
pcared to them in the guise OF drunken
peasant, frightening them greatly, and
saying: "Foo.s, rclu'nI Your mission IS
In vanl bl0nlezlIma will lose his empire
in punishment for tyranny, und l, | leave
Mexico TO her tate and cast you otfI" The
sorccrers recognized the god, and prostrat.
ed themselves to adore him, but he spurncd
their devotion, rebuking them, and finally
pointed to Mexico. saying: --"Bchold her
doom!" Looking round they saw her en-
velopcd in flames, and the inhabitants in
conflict with white men. On turning again
To beseech the god he was gone.
MontcZuma was IN consultation with his