The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-09-12
SUMTER S. c., WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER H. 1894

mie alone, though It WOnd De Umcult 20
do this and keep my honor. One thing 1
understood-if / married Otomie it must
be at her own price, for then must be-
come an Indian and give over all hope OF
returning to England and to my betrothed
Of this indeed there was little chance.
Still. while life remained to me, it might
come about if was free. But once my
hands were tied by this marriage 1t could
never be during Otomie's lifetime, and SO
far as Lily Board was concerned should
be dead. How could be thus faithless to
her memory and my troth, and, on the
other hand how could discard the wom-
an who had risked all for me, and who, to
speak truth, had grown so dear to me-
though there was one yet dearer?
While sat musing on the couch the
curtain was drawn, and man entered
bearing a torch. It was Guatemoc as he
had come from the fray, which, except for
its harvest of burning houses, was finished
for that night. The plumes were shorn
from his head, his golden armor was
hacked by the Spanish swords, and he
bled from a shot wound in the neck.
'sGreeting, Teule,'' he said Certainly
I never thought to see you alive tonight,
or myself either, for that matter. But it
is strange world, and now, if never be-
fore in Tenoctitlan, those things happen
for which we look the least. But have
no time for words. came to summon
you before the council"
'.What is to be my fate?'' asked
'To be dragged back to the stone of sacrl-
fce?''
aNay, have no fear of that. But for
the rest cannot say. In an hour you
may be dead or great among us, If any OF
US can be called great in these days OF
shame. Otomie has worked well for you
among the princes and the counselors, so
she says, and if you have heart you
should be grateful to her, for it seems to
me that few women have loved man so
much. AS for me, have been employed
elsewhere - and he glanced at his rent
armor, '.but / will lift up my voice for
YOU. Now come, friend, for the torch
burns low. By this time you must be
well seasoned in dangers. One more or
less will matter as little to you as to me. }"
Then rose and followed him into the
great cedar paneled hall where that very
| morning I had received alteration as a
god. Now was god no longer, but
| prisoner on trial for his life. Upon the
dais where had stood in the hour Of my
eodhead were gathered those Of the princes
and counselors who were left alive. Some
of them, like Guatemoc, were clad In rent
| and bloody mail, others in their customary
dress, and one In priests robe. They had
only two things in common among them
the sternness of their faces and the
greatness Of their rank-and they sat there
this night not to decide my fate, which
was but little thing, but to take counsel
as to how they might expel the Spanlards
before the city was destroyed.
When entered, man in mail, who sat
in the center of the half circle, and in
whom knew Cuitlahua, who would be
the emperor should Montezuma die, looked
up quickly and said:
ssWho is this, Guatemoc, that you bring
with you? All, remember-the Teule
that was the god Tezcat, and who escaped
| the sacrifice today! Listen, MOBILES What
| is to be done with this man? Say, is 1t
lawful that he be led back to sacrifice?'
Then the priest answered: II grieve to
say that it is not lawful, most noble
prince This man has lain on the altar
of the god-he has even been wounded by
the holy knife But the god rejected him
in fateful hour, and he must lie there no
more Slay him if you will, but not upon
the stone Of sacrifice"
ssWhat, then, shall be done with him!'
said the prince again.
s.He is of the blood Of the Teules, and
therefore an enemy. One thing is certain
he must not be suffered to join the
white devils and give them tidings Of our
| distress. Is it not best that he be put
away forthwith"
Now several Of the council nodded their
heads, but others sat silent, making no
sign.
'Come, - said Cuitlahua, 1--WE have no
time to waste over this man when the
lives Of thousands are hourly at stake
| The question is, Shall the Teule be slain?'
Then Guatemoc rose and spoke, saying:
'sYour pardon, noble kinsmen, but l hold
that we may put this prisoner to better
use than to kill him. know him we'll
He is brave and loyal, as have proved
Moreover, he is not all a Teule, but half
of another race that hates them as he hates
them; also he has knowledge Of their
/ "~AAS~~
lack, and think that he may be able to
1 give us good counsel In our strait. !"
'sThe counsel of the wolf to the deer
perhaps" said Cuitlahua coldly, "coun-
sci that shall lead US to the fangs OF the
Teules. Who shall answer for this foreign
devil, that he will not betray us If we
trust him?"
81 win answer with my life, " answered
Guatemoc.
"Your life is of too great worth to be set
on such stake, nephew. Men OF this
white breed are liars, and his own word is
of no value even if he gives it. think
that it will be best to kill him and have
done with doubts.
sThis man is wed to Otomie, princess
Of the Otomie, Montezuma's daughter:
your NIECE said Guatemoc again, ''and
she loves him so well that she offered her
self upon the stone of sacrifice with him.
Unless mistake she will answer for him
also. Shall she be summoned before you?''
eff you wish, nephew, but woman in
love is q blind woman, and doubtless he
hoe deceived her alec Moreover she was