The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-09-19
SUMTER. S. c.. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 1884,

and lifted the club.
Then the doomed man fell upon his
knees crying for mercy, and his wailing
sounded so awful in that deep and lonely
place that in my horror 1went near to let
ting the torch fall.
ITO foe can give mercy-to traitor
none, - answered Guatemoc, and whirling
the club aloft he rushed upon the noble
and killed him with blow. Then seizing
the body in his strong embrace he cast it
into the chamber with the treasure, and
there it lay still and dreadful among the
gems and gold, the arms, as it chanced,
being wound about two Of the great jars
as though the dead man would clasp them
to his heart.
Now I looked at Guatemoc, who had
slain him, wondering if my hour was at
hand also, for I knew well that when
princes bury their wealth they hold that
few should share the secret.
'sFear not, my BROTHER" said Guate-
moe. Listen. This man was thief, a
bastard and a traitor. AS we know now,
he strove twice to ray us to the Teules.
More, it was his plaA to show this nest Of
wealth to them should they return again
and to share the spoil All this we learned
from woman whom he thought his love,
but who was in truth spy set to worm
herself into the secrets Of his wicked heart.
Now let him take his I'LL Of gold. Look
how he grips it even in death; awhile man
could not hug the stuff more closely to his
breast All, Teule, would that the soil OF
Anahuac bore naught but corn for bread
and flint and copper for the points OF
spears and arrows; then had her sons been
free forever. Curses on yonder dross, for
it is the bait that sets these sea sharks
tearing at our threats Curses on it, Isay!
May it never glitter more in the sunshine;
may it be lost forever!" And he fell fierce
ly to the work of building up the wall
Soon it was almost done, but before we
set the last bricks, which were shaped in
squares like the clay lump that we use for
the building Of farmeries and kinds houses
in Norfolk, thrust torch through the
opening and looked for the last time at the
treasure chamber that was also dead
house. There lay the glittering gems,
there, stood upon a jar, cleaned the gold
en- head of Montezuma, Of which the en-
erald eyes seemed to glare at me, and
there, his back resting against this same
jar and his arms encircling two others to
the right and left, was the dead man. But
he was no longer dead, or so it seemed to
meat the least his eyes that were shut
had opened, and they stared at me like
the emerald eyes Of the golden statue above
him, only more fearfuly.
Very hastily withdrew the torch, and
we finished in silence. When it was done,
we withdrew to the end Of the passage
and looked up the shaft, and for one
was glad to see the stars shining in heaven
above me. Then we made double loop
in the rope, and at a signal were hauled
up till we hung over the ledge where the
black mass of marble rested, the tomb
stone of Nontezuma's treasure and Of him
who sleeps among it.
This stone, that was nicely balanced,
we pushed with our hands and feet till
presently it fell forward with a heavy
sound, and catching on the ridge Of brick
which had been prepared to receive it shut
the treasure shaft in such a fashion that
those who would enter it again must take
powder with them.
Then we were dragged up and came to
the surface of the earth in safety.
Now one asked of the Aztec noble who
had gone down with US and returned no
more.
.sHe has chosen to stay and watch the
treasure, like a good and loyal man, till
such time as his king needs it, % answered
Guatemoc grinly, and the listeners nod
ded, understanding ALL
Then they fell to and filled up the mar
row shaft with the earth that lay ready,
working without cease, and the dawn
broke before the task was finished. When
at length the hole was full, one Of our COM