The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-10-24
SUMTER. S. G.. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER g. 1894 New Sci

LA L. w. S4OoG1O Gos
captain of the Otom1e, was at my side
and with him several men whom he could
trust. STOPPING down, with few swift
blows Of knife I cut the ropes which
bound the Spaniards. Then we gathered
ourselves into knot ~ Of us or more
and in the center Of the knot we set the
five Spaniards. This done, I drew my
sword and cried:
1.-The Teules storm the temple!'' which
was true, for already their long line was
rushing up the winding path. The
Teules storm the temple! I go to stop
them,'' and straightway we sped across
the open space.
None saw us, OF, if they saw us, none
hindered US, for all the company were in
tent upon the, ,consummation Of a fresh
sacrifice Moreover, the tumult was such,
as I afterward discovered, that we were
scarcely noticed. Two minutes passed,
and our feet were set upon the winding
way, and now breathcd again, for we
were beyond the sight Of the women. On
we rushed swiftly as the cra-1ped limbs OF
the Spaniards would carry them till pres
emily we reached that angle in the path
where the breach began. The attacking
Spaniards had already come to the farther
side of the gap, for though we could not
see them we could hear their cries Of rage
and despair as they halted helplessly and
understood that their comrades were be-
yond their aid.
''Now we are sped, )" said the Spaniard
with whom had spoken. 1.-THE road is
...:.o ,~,d - ,,,,,c+ J>o oo,-tofp 6oath tn FRY
the side of the pyramid. !"
''Not so" I answered. Some 30 feet
below the path still runs, and one by one
we will lower you to it with this rope. y
Then we set to work. Making the cord
fast beneath the arms of soldier, we let
him down gently till he came to the path
and was received there by his comrades as
man returning from the dead. The last
to be lowered was that Spaniard with
whom I had spoken.
Farewell he said, land may the
blessing Of God be on you for this ac5 OF
mercy, renegade though you are. Say,
now, will you not come with me? set
my life and honor in pledge for your safe
ty. You tell me that you are still Chris
tian man. Is that place for Christians"
and he pointed upward
''No, indeed" answered, ''but still I
cannot come, for my wife and son are
| there, and must return to die with them
If need be- If you bear me any gratitude
strive in return to save their lives, since
for my own care but little.
sThat WILL" he said, and I let him
down among his friends, whom he reached
in safety.
Now we returned to the temple, giving
it out that the Spaniards were In retreat,
having failed to Cross the breach In the
roadway. Here before the temple the orgie
Sill went on. But two Indians remained
alive, and the priests Of sacrifice grew
weary.
..Where are the Teules?" cried a voice.
''Swift, strip them for the altar"
But the Teules were gone, nor, search
where they would, could they find them.
"Their God has taken them beneath his
wing,'' said, speaking from the shadow
and in feigned voice. "Huitzel cannot
prevail before the God Of the Teules. -
Then slipped aside, so that none knew
that it was I who had spoken, but the cry
was caught up and echoed far and wide.
1.-The God Of the Christians has hidden
them beneath his wing. Let US make
merry with those whom he rejects" said
the cry, and the last Of the captives were
dragged away.
Now I thought that all was finished,
but this was not so. have spoken Of the
secret purpose which had read in the
sullen eyes Of the Indian women as they
labored at the barricades, and was about
! to see it's execution. Madness still burned
in the hearts of these women. They had
accomplished their sacrifice, but their fes-
ttyal was still to come. They drew them
selves away to the farther side Of the pyra-
mid, and needless Of the shots which now
and again pierced the breast OF one OF
them-for here they were exposed to the
Spanish re-remained. awhile in prepara-
tion. With them went the priests OF sac
rifce, but now, as before, the rest Of the
men stood in sul1en groups watching
what bete1l, but lifting DO hand or voice
TO hinder its hellishness-
One woman did not go with them, and
that woman was Otomte, my wife.
She stood by the stone of sacrifice, q
piteous sight to see, for her frenzy, or rath-
er ber madness, had outworn itself, and
she was as she had ever been. There stood
OGOnfe, gazing W1b0 W1Oe huO Oo11o3
stricken eyes now at the tokens OF this un-
holy rite and now at her own hands, as
though she thought to see them red and
shuddered at the thought. I drew near TO
her and touched her ON the shoulder. She
turned swiftly, gasping:
Husband, husbandP'
"1t Is IL" answered, "but call me hus-
band no more.
'tOh, what have Idone?" she walled and
| fell senseless in my arms.
CHAPTER XXXIu
| THE SURRENDER.
Taking Otomie In my arms, bore her
to one of the storehouses attached to the
temple Here many children had been
placed for safety, among them my own
son.
What ails our mother, father" said
the boy. .'And why did she shut me in
here with these children when 1t seems
that there is fighting Without
"Your mother has tainted" answer
ed, land doubtless she placed you here to
keep you safe Now, do tend to her till I