Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1894-10-10


''Up, friend, up" said Otomio, with O
harsh laugh. "If you must sleep, wait TILL
you find some friendly bush, and she
dragged at me to lift mo. Tho Tlascalan,
still laughing, came forward to help her,
and between them I gained my feet again,
but as rose my cap, which fitted me but
i'll, fell off. He picked 1t up and gave 1t
to me, and our eyes met, my face being
somewhat In tho shadow. Next instant l
was hobbling on, but looking back I saw
the Tlascalan staring after us with puz-
zled air, like that Of man who is not
sure Of the witness of his senses.
"He knows me, said to Oto1uie, "and
presently, when he has found his wits, he
will follow us. :"
"On, onl' answered Otomie. "Round
wonder corner are aloe bushes where we
may hide"
s'I am spent. can do no more, " and
again began to fall.
Then Otomie caught me as fell, and
Of sudden she put out her strength, and
lifting me from the ground as mother
lifts her child staggered forward, holding
me to her breast. For 30 PAGES or more
she carried me thus, love and despair CIV
ing her strength, till at last we reached
the edge Of the aloe plants, and there we
sank together to tho earth. I cast my eyes
back over the path which we had Travelled.
Round the corner came the Tlascalan, q
spiked club in his hand, seeking us to
solve his doubts.
s'It Is finished, I gasped. "The man
comes"
For answer Otomie drew my sword from
its scabbard and hid it in the grass Now
feign Sleep" she said. 1T Is our last
chance"
cast my arm over my face and pretend
ed TO be asleep. Presently I heard the
sound of man passing through the bushes,
and the Tlascalan stood over me.
'tWhat would your" asked Otomie
"Can you not see that he sleeps? Let him
sleep" :,
II must look on his face first, woman, "
he answered, dragging aside my arm. by
the gods, thought so! This is that Teule
whom we dealt with yesterday and who
escapes"
"You arc mad" she said, laughing.
"He has escaped from nowhere, save from
a brawl and drinking bout.
"You lie, woman, or If you do not lie
you know nothing. This man has the Sc
cret of Montezuma' treasure and Is worth
q kings ransom" And he lifted his club.
"And yet you wish to slay himI Well, 1
know nothing of him. Take him back
whence he came. He Is but a drunken
sot, and shall be well rid Of him."
''Well said. 1t would be foolish to kill
him, but by bearing him alive to the Lord
Sarceda I shall win honor and reward.
Come help me-"
"Help yourself" !" she answered sullenly.
"But first search his pouch. There may
be some trife there which We can divide. "
"Well said again." he answered, and
kneeling down he bent over mo and began
to tumble at the fastenings of the pouch.
Otomie was behind him. saw her face
change, and terrible light came into her
eyes-such light as shines in the eyes of
the priest at sacrifice. Quick as thought
she drew tho sword from tho grass and
smote with all her strength upon the
mans bent neck. Down he fell, making
no sound, and she also fell beside him. In
a moment she was on her feet again, star
ing at him wildly, the naked sword In her
hand.
up" she said, "before others como to
seek him! Nay, you must"
Now again wo were struggling forward
through the bushes, my mind filed with
great wonder that grew slowly to q
whirling nothingness. For awhile it seem
ed to me as though were lost in all evil
dream and walking on redhot irons in my
dream. Then camo vision Of armed men
with lifted spears and of Otomie running
toward them with outstretchcd arms
knew no moro.