The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-08-26

But how1 ] bad II. Tho plan was
clear enough, bat difficult and very dan
rerous Of execution. Others must inno-
Gently suffer, bat what weight has life
70 the case of o mailman? would bring
him into the presence Of death--his death
and I would be alone with him. And
then that look would surely appear. de
would be aware that he was to die by
what the Spaniards in Anahuac most
feared--thc sacrifcisl stone. Yes, then
tho look must appear.
The sacrifcial stone - In the bare
words even there was fascination for
me: around this legalized and sanctifed
agent of slaughter my plot centered.
The plan, briefly. was this: The spanish
forces. In ,hree divisions, were besieging
tho CITY OF Mexico. We made simulta-
neous attacks, each time approaching
nearer our goal, tho chief temple IN the
contar Of the city, and after each as
sault we withdrew to our respective
camps. Progress was slow; moats sur
rounded the city tho streets were narrow,
and each house was forhhcation. Inc
bosiearcrs could advance no step until
the preceding ono was secured Tor re-
treat; each house must be razed, each
moat filed. These were orders ana
were obeyed, because capture, we knew'
meant tho sacrifcial stone. our hearts q
ev1nbohc food for pagan gods and our
bodies materiai ono for the religious
feast Of cannibalism.
For tomorrow another attack was or
dsred-4he last one, we hoped. Inc Same
iniunctions for security being repeated,
we advanced. He, as usual, was at my
side. Tbs first resistance OF tho natives
was easily overcome, and we entered the
city. House after house was demolished.
The nass Of Aztecs before Us gave way
as Of one accord and broke into retreat.
To me there was something uncanny
about their actions. II retreat at all. 1t
was premeditated. But 30 our followers
il meant only the victory so long striven
and suffered for-
Ny time had come. The eagerness Of
our followers, which l openly encour
AGED. isolated us from tho main army.
Worse yet, had the hugle sounded and
ordered a charge. An-all but he--forgot
the caution of Cortes and answered the
signal with an onset that hts prudence
could not check. The force behind
pushed us both forward. He placed his
hand strongly upon my shoulder to
question my conduct and toreInonstrate.
| turned to answer, when there, upon
his face, was that picture Of the grave.
The ruse Of the heather succeeded.
Seeing our position apart from the
others, they turned and came exultingly
toward us. The deafening reverberation
of the gong in the temple, sound of
woe to the Spaniards, sounded our death
knell. Thon it was l saw that look. !
lost myself and leaning back in my sad
die yelled TO him IN fiendish merriment,
"The sacri6cial stone!' He understood,
AS my atrocity dawDed upon him the
look vanished for oneof hatred and fury.
He raised his sword, Kissed something
like "Traitor!" and came at me.
The Spaniard Is quick in anger, but
his stroke never fell A score OF barred
arms of the4snakish color Of copper en-
circled his bodys another score bereft
him of tho rnurderous weapon over
my head; myriad more dragged him
from his horse. The same fate befell the
rest Of oar band who survived, myself
included. That night we found our
selves in tho dungeon where Montezu-
ma had languished. The next day we
all knew we should await our turn at
sacrifice before the dread stone. Ho
knew, it and rejoiced. Even a mad
man can feed the Joy of triumph, can he
noti
But he should not die with the others.
That was not my plan. groped in the
dark to where he crorched and whis-
pered, .Escaper" he jumped to his feet.
"Where2 How2' finish; not 80 loud.
Follow ms" lie hesitated. But the
others?" he asked "It Is not possible for
moro THAI two" answered. he said
no more, but followed In silence. In
this evidence of his selfishness felt
sort Of satisfaction Though content
myself. cannot help but feel grateful
to anything that may aid in justifying
his death to normal minds.
During the unwelcome stay of the
Spaniards In tho city before their OK
pulson they were given for residence
the place In which we were then con-
fined. Being with Cortes at that time,
therefore knew our prison house well.
For mo escape was easy. Through
many rooms. corridors, passages and
stairs, some known not even TO the ma
tiyes, we fed on tiptoe. His confidence
was regained, and he followed me closely.
Finally, without hindrance, we reached
tho fat roof. Here behind the walls,
extending few feet above the roof, we
could hide in safety, and here indeed we
waited throughout the next day.
told him my idea of final escape. 1t
was intoxication to renew his hope,
vain hope, for / should blast it. That
night we were to gain the summit Of
the temple and there light beacon.
The besiegers outside would understand
or think they understood. The Next
cans never expect night attacks, due to
a superstition regarding the white man,
80 that they could be easily overcome.
Assurance of life brought smile to the
face of my companion, though at the
time In looking toward the pyramidal
shaped temple or teocelli, he saw our