Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1894-08-08

SQOOG an arrow SOluc W pdCCS 1arGucC elldl1
any that saw in Anahuac, and we fell
into talk on matters of sport and war, Ma
rina helping out my want Of language,
and before that day was done we had
grown friendly.
For q week the Prince Guatemoc and
his company rested in the town of Tabas-
co, and all the time we three talked much
together. Soon saw that Marina looked
with eyes of longing on tho great lord,
partly because of his beauty, rank and
might, and partly because she wearied Of
her captivity in the house of the caziquc
and would share Guatemoc's power, for
Marina was ambitious. She tried to win
his heart in many ways, but he seemed not
to notice her, so that at last she spoke
more plainly and in my hearing.
"You go hence tomorrow, prince" sho
said softly, land have favor to ask of
you, if you will listen to your handmade. "
"Speak on, maiden" he answered
IT would ask this, that if 1t pleases you
you will buy me Of the cazique, my mas
ter, or command him to give me up to you,
and take me with you to Tenoctitlan. :"
Guatemoc laughed aloud You put
things plainly, maiden" he said, but
know that in the city of Tenoctitlan my
royal wife and cousin, Tecuichpo, awaits
me, with her three other ladies, who, as 1t
chances, are somewhat Jealous.
Now Marina flushed beneath her brown
skin, and for the first and last time saw
her gentle eyes grow hard with anger as
sho answered:
II asked you to take me with you,
4 oc1- {, 1,o fa fr-
love-
"But perchance you meant it, !" he said
dryly.
Whatever I may have meant, prince, 1t
is now forgotten. wished to see the great
city and the great king, because weary
OF my life here and would myself grow
great. You have refused Inc, but perhaps
time will come when shall grow great
in spite of you, and then I may remember
the shame that has been put upon mo
against you, prince and all your royal
house."
Again Guatemoc laughed and Of sud-
den grew stern.
''You arc overbold, girl" he said, "for
less words than these many one might
find herself stretched upon tho stone Of
sacrifice But will forget them, for your
woman's pride is stung, and you know
not what you say. Do you forget them
also, Teule, if you have understood.
Then Marina turned and went, her
bosom heaving with anger and outraged
love or pride, and as she passed me heard
her mutter, Yes, prince, you may forget,
but shall not"
Often since that day have wondered II
some vision of tho future entered into the
girls breast in that hour or If in her
wrath she spoke at random. have Won
dcred also whether this scene between her
and Guatemoc had anything to do with
the history Of her after life, or did Marina,
as she avowed to me in the days to come,
bring shame and ruin on her country for
the love of Cortes alone? 1t is hard to
say, and perhaps these things had nothing
to do with what followed, for when great
events have happened we are apt to search
out causes for them in the past that were
no cause. This may have been but pass
ing mood Of hers and one soon put out Of
mind, for it is certain that few build up
the temples Of their lives upon some firm
foundation Of hope or hate, of desire or
do so, but rather take Chance for their arch
itect, and indeed whether they take him
or no no Is still the master builder. Still
that Marina did not forget this talk /
know, for in after time heard her remind
this very prince of the words that had
passed between theln-aye, and heard his
noble answer to her.
For whole month VIC travelled, for the
way was far and the road rough, and some-
times we must cut our path through forests
and sometimes we must wait upon the
banks of rivers. Many were the strange
sights saw upon that journey, and many
the cities in which we sojourned in much
state and honor, but cannot stop to tell
Of all these.
One thing will relate, however, though
briefly, because it changed the regard that
the prince Guatemoc and felt one to the
other into friendship which lasted till
his death and indeed cndures in my heart
to this hour.
One day We were delayed by the banks
Of swollen river, and in paStime went
out to hunt for deer When we had hunt
ed awhile and killed three deer, it CHANGED
that Guatemoc perceived a buck standing
on hillock, and we set about to stalk It,
five Of us in all But tho buck was in the
open, and the trees and bush ceased full
100 yards away from where be STOOD SO
that there was no way by which we might
draw near to him. Then Guatemoc began
to mock me, saying: Now, Teule, they
tell tales of your archery, and this deer Is
thrice as far as we Aztccs can make sure
Of killing Let US SEQ your skill. "
II will try" I answered, Though the
shot is long"
So we drew beneath the cover of ceiba
tree, Of which the lowest branches droop-
cd to within 16 feet of the ground, and
having set an arrow on the string Of the
great bow that had fashioned after the
shape Of those we use in England aimed
and drew it, Straight sped the arrow and
struck the buck fair, passing through Its
heart, and low murmur Of wonderment
went up from those who saw the feat.
Then, just as we prepared to go to the
fallen deer, male puma, which is moth
ing but cat, though so times rs big, that
had been watching the buck from above,
dropped down from the boughs of the Gel
ba tree full on to the shoulders of the
Prince Guatemoc, telling him to the
ground, where he lay face downward, while
the fierce brute bit and clawed at his back
Indeed had it not been for his golden cui-
rass and helm Guatcmoc would never
have lived to be emperor of Anahuac, and
perhaps it might have been better SO.
Now, when they saw the puma snarl-
ing and tearing at the person of their
prince, though brave men enough, the
three mobiles who were with us were seized
with sudden panic and ran, thinking him
dead. But did not run, though should
have been glad enough to do So At my
side hung one of the Indian weapons that
serve them instead Of swords, club Of
wood set on both sides with spikes of OBJ
sidian, like the teeth in the bill of asword-
fish. Snatching it from its loop, 1 gave
the puma battle, striking blow upon his
head that rolled him over and caused the
blood to pour. In moment he was up
and at me roaring with rage. Whirling
tho wooden sword with both hands, ]
smotc him in midair, the blow passing be-
tween his opened paws and catching him