Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1894-10-03
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I'rcScnt1ythere was q sound of footsteps,
and looked up to see Do Garcia standing
before me- Time and hardship had touched
him lightly, and the lines of silver In his
curling hair and peaked beard did but add
dignity TO his noble presence. Indeed,
when looked at him in his dark Spanish
beauty, his rich garments dccked with
chains of gold, as he bowed before Cortes,
hat III hand, I was fuin to confess that l
had never seen Il moro gallant cavalier, or
one whose aspect gave the lie so wholly to
tho black heart within. But knowing him
for what he was my very blood quivered
with hate at the sight of him, and when I
thought of my own impotence and Of tho
GRAND OH which he had como I ground
my teeth and cursed tho day that I was
born. AS for Dc Garcia, he greeted mo
with little cruel smilo, then spoke to
Cortes.
Your pleasure, general!'
'Greeting to you, comrade, answered
Cortcs. ''You know this renegadc?
but too we'll, general. Three times he
has striven to murder me-"
We'll, you have escaped, and it IS your
hour now, Sarccda. He says that he has a
quarrel with you. What is itf''
Dc Garcia hesitated, stroking his peaked
beard, then answered: II am loath to tell
1t because it is q tale Of error for which I
have often sorrowed and done penance.
Yet will speak for fear you should think
worse Of me than deserve. This man has
some cause to misllkc me since, to be frank,
when was younger than I am today and
given to the follics of youth 1t CHANGED
that in England l met his mother, a beau
tiful Spanish lady who by i'll fortune was
weddcd to an Englishman, this mans ia
thcr and clown Of clowns, who maltrcat-
cd her will be short. The lady learned
to love me, and worsted her husband in a
duel; hence this traitors hate Of me. -
heard and thought that my heart must
burst with fury. To all his wickcdness
and ofTcnses against me De Garcia now
had added SANDER Of my dead mothers 5
honor.
You lie, you murderer. gasped tear
in: ut the ropes that bound nc.
u must ask you to protect me from
such insult, general, De Garcia answered
coldlv. "Wcrc the prisoner worthy of my
sword would ask further that his bonds
should be looscd for little space, but my
honor would be tarnishcd forever were I
to fight with such is he"
dare to speak thus once moro toa gem
tleman of SPAIN" said Cortcs coldly,
'.and, you hcathcn dog, your tongue shall
be dragged from you with rcdhot pinchcrs.
For you, Sarccda, thank you for your
confidence If you have no worse crime
than love affair upon your soul, 1 think
that our good chaplain, Olmcdo, will
frank you through the purgatorial fires
But we waste words and time This man
has the secret of the treasure OF Guatcmoc
and of NonteZuma. II Guatcmoc and his
mobiles will not tell 1t, he ut least may be
forced to speak, for the tormcnts that an
Indian can endure without groan will
soon bring truth bubbling from The lips OF
tho white hcathcn. Take him, Sarceda,
and, hearken, let him bo your especial care.
First let him suffer with the Others and
afterward should he prove obdurate, alone
The method I leave to you. Should he
confess, summon me. "
Pardon me, general, but this Is no task
for hidalgo of Spain. I have been moro
wont to pierce my enemies with the sword
than TO tear them with pinchcrs," said Do
Garcia, bat rs no spoke I saw glcam of
triumph shine in his black eyes and heard
the ring OF triumph through the mock an
ger Of his voice.
II know It, comradc But this must be
done. Though hate it, it must be done.
There IS no other way. The gold Is neces-
sa-y to mc-by the Mother Of God, the
knavcs say that I have stolen it!-and
doubt these stubborn Indian dogs will
never speak, however great their agony.
This man knows and give him over to
you because you are acquainted with his
wickcdncs$, and that knowledge will steel
your heart against all pity. Spare not,
comradc. Remember that ho must be
forced to speak.
1T is your command, Cortes, and will
obey 1t, though love the task little. With
ono proviso however-that you give me
your warrant IN writing"
1T shall bo mado out at once" an
swered tho general. And now away
with him."
where tor"
''To the prison that he has left. All Is
ready, and there he will find his COM
rades. F"
Then guard was summoned, and was
dragged back to my own place, De Garcia
saying as went that he would be with
me presently.