The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1892-08-19

| Inc young mdn stOOu iFfesOtutc iOt u
moment only, then turned toward the
/ :ity, u;.iiv sue priest entered the for
st.
The Judgment hall OF the royal city
was of such splendor and msgnihcence
hat it would indeed seem strange In our
lay, when the temples Of justice scattered
,ver our land are usually plain and uu-
iubcIlished by ornament Of any descrip-
ion. On the walls hung tapestry, made
OF the bair Of different wild animals, OF
rich and varied hue, festooneI by gold
rings, aud embroidered with figures OF
birds and flowers. At one end Of tho
hall was throne OF pure gold, inlaid
with precious stones, above which was
canopy OF varie2ated plumaqe, cleaning
with gold and jewels. On stool in
| front was placed human skull crowned
with an immense emerald Of IA pyramidal
form, and surnountcd by AN aiyrette
OF brilliant plumes and precious stones.
On the day following tho young
Princes interview with Huitzil the
! priest, just rs the sun reached the mcrid-
ian, the sound OF the tomtom was heard
calling the lords to the hall of judg-
mcnt.
Soon they entered the outer or lesser
hall, where they arranged themselves in
the order OF their rank. They were o
noble looking band OF men, fourteen i'm
number, all wearing tho gold and silver
cuirass, tho cloak OF rich featherwork
aud the silver helmet which proclaimed
them TO bc tic great lords Of tho realm,
the highest in rank in the court of tho
Tczcucan monarch.
When all had asse semblod the King,
NczEualcootzin, was announced by
messenger, and presently the monarch
entered clothed in his robes of state and
preceded by band Of thirteen priests.
Leading the way into the Judgment hall,
the King took his scat on the tn rome,
placed golden crown, cncrustcd with
precious stones, upon his head, and took
in his right hand as sccptrc golden
arrow.
From the grave faces Of tho lords it
was evident that the case on which sen
tcncc was to he given was ono of import
ancc. Silence was over tho assembly
until Huitzil stepped forward from
among the priests. Placing his right
hand over his heart, he made a low bow
to the King and then spalse:
"Most noble aud illustrious Nezahual-
coiotzu, thou who rulcst over all Anahu-
nc, know that under the forces of thy
arm and tho terror OF thy might there is
no Nation left to withstand thee.
The Captives arc few, and the terrible
Hui,zilopochtli is a.hungcrcd. Already
is his face cloudcd when he looks upon
Tczcuco. His fcasts arc no longer rcd
with the blood of many captivcs, and
his anger has arisen. But, o King, tho
terrible anil mighty war god spakc to
rny servant Iluitzil face to face, and for
one little sacrifice will his anger hc ban.
ishcL. The god Of gods, IIuitzilopoch-
til, great and terrible, commands that
the most favored maiden of Tezcuco be
offered ON the altar of sacrifice on the
tenth day hence, and the lot has fallen
upon Tula. Thus shall his wrath pass
over the head of the King aud he kin.
died against his enemies. Tho prophet
Of the gods has spoken"
The priest retired, and from tho ranks
Of the mobiles came tho youngest OF all,
tho Prince Nczahualcoyotl. With
profound bow he advanced to where the
priest had stood, and waiting in silence
until the monarch commanded.
Speak"
Then, amid the most respectful ST.
lcncc, the prince began:
"Most noble sire, thou who art in
very truth my father, many days ago thy
son, the prince, hunted in the forest.
There found | the maiden Tula in the
hands of thine enemies, tho robbers Of
Tcpancco, who would have borne her
away to their haunts. | rescued her and
carried her back To her home in the roy
al city. And loved the maiden, and
we plightcd our troth when the moon
was high over the tigc mountain. Aud
new, o my father, would the priest OF
the terrible god take the maiden rula ~
sacrifice. Other maidcns there arc.
fair to see, and highly favored; their
breath as the zcphcr Of the south, their
skin white as the lily Of the lake, their
countenance Of Quetzllcoatl. . my
father, is there none who may DC
offered out Tula?"
With faltcring steps the young man
retired, overcome with emotion. On the
faces of the mobiles was written pity and
sympathy, but the priests looked naughty
and triumphant, feeling confident that
the monarch would hot oppose the will
Of the gods.
In silence they awaited the decision of
the KING. The law Of Tczcucans nj.
lowed plea and counterplca only within
the hall of judgment, all other evidence
or argument having been heard pre-.
viously in another place.
The moments passed, and the KIN.
spoke not. he silence remained un
broNen. The face OF the monaicn wcsl
study; the conflict that raycd IN his
breast between love for hs son and fear
"f the gods WAS long and severe, but Mt
length the latter galncl the victory.
Suddenly he arose and lvanccl to.
ward the stool where rested the skull.
with the Golden arrow !n HI, right hani
ne dfSw a line across the cmblcm-and
the deed was done. The maiden Tula
was doomcl.
Silently they lett the hall rs they mad
entered, the King leading, followed by
the priests and the mobiles.
The royal city wnS oll bustIo on1 lfo