Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1894-09-26


hesitated and spoke aloud: "Do not hang
this man noday. Let him be safely guard
ed. Tomorrow I will inquire into his
case"
CHAPTER XIV.
THOMAS is DOOMED.
At the words of Cortes two Spaniards
came forward, and seizing me one by
either arm they led me across the roof OF
the house toward the stairway. Otomie
had heard also, and though she did not
understand the words sho read the face OF
Cortes and knew well that was being
taken to imprisonment or death. as
passed her she started forward q terror
shining in her eyes Fearing that she was
about to throw herself upon my breast,
and thus reveal herself as my wife and
bring my fate upon her, l glanced ut her
warningly, then made prctcnse to STUN
bic, and as though with fear and exhaustion
fell at her feet. The soldiers who led me
laughed brutally, and one of them kicked
me with his heavy boot. But Otomie
stopped down and held her hand to me to
help me rise, and as did so wo spoke low
and swiftly.
Farewell, wife," I said. Whatever
happens, keep silent.
Farewell" she answered IF you
must die, await me in the gates of death,
for will join you there
"Nay, live on. Time shall bring COM
fort"
"You arc my life beloved. With you
time ends for me.
Now was on my feet again, and I think
that none noted our whispered words, for
all were listening to Cortes, who rated the
man that had kicked me.
IT bade you guard this traitor-not to
kick him." he said angrily IN Castilian.
"Will you put us to open shame before
these savagesf Do SO once more, and you
shall pay for it s1nartly. Learn lesson In
gentleness from that woman. She Is starv-
Ing, yet she leaves her food to help your
prisoner to his feet. Now take him away
to camp and see that he comes to no harm,
for he can tell me much"
i Then the soldiers led me away, grum-
bling as they went, and the last thing
saw was the despairing face Of Otomie,
my wife, as she gazed after me, faint with
the secret agony Of our parting. But when
came to the head Of the stairway Guate-
moe, who stood near, took my hand and
shook IL.
Farewell, my brother" no said. with
heavy smile. THE game wo played TO-
gether is finished, and now 1t Is time for
Us to rest. thank you for your valor and
your aid"
Farewell, Guatemoc, I answered.
"You are fallen. but let this comfort you
In your fall you have found immortal
fame"
"On, on!'' growled the soldiers, and I
went, little thinking how Guate,noo and l
should meet again.
They took me to canoe, and we were
padded across the lake by Tlascalans till
at length we came to the Spanish camp.
The room Of the stone house where they
prisoned me had window secured by
bars Of wood, and through these bars
could see and hear the revelings of the SOL
diers during the time Of my confinement.
All day long, when they were not on duty,
and most Of the night also, they gambled
and drank, stalking tens OF pesos on SIN
gle throw, which the loser must pay out
Of bis share OF the countless treasures Of
the Aztecs. Little did they care II they
won or lost they were 80 sure OF plunder,
but played on TIL drink overpowered them
and they rolled senseless beneath the to
bles, or TIL they sprang up and danced
wildly to and fro, catching at the sunbeams
and screaming, "Gold gold. goldP"
Listening at this window also I gath
cred some Of the tidings OF the camp.
learned that Cortes had come back, bring
Ing Guatemoo and several Of the princes
with him, together with many Of the noble
Aztec ladies. Indeed saw and heard tho
soldiers gambling for these women when
they were weary of their play for money,
description of each Of them being writ
ten on piece Of paper. One of these la-
dies answered we'll to Otomie my wife,
and she was put up to auction by the brutc
who won her in tho gamble and sold to
common soldier for hundred pesos for
these men never doubted but that the
women and the gold would be handed over
to them.
Thus things Went for several days, dur
ing which sut and slept in my prison un-
troubled by any except tho native woman
who waited on me and brought mo food
in plenty. During those days 1 ate as
have never eaten before or since, and
slept much, for my sorrows could lot rid
my body of It's appctites and commanding
need for food and rest. Indeed I verify
believe that at the end of n week had in
creased in weight by full half. Also my
weariness was conquered at length, and
was strong again.
But when / was neither sleeping nor
eating watched at my window, hoping,
though in vain, to catch some sight OF
Otomic or Guatcnoc. If might not sec
my friends, however, az least | saw my
foe for one evening Dc Garcia came aud
stared at my prison. He could not see me,
but saw him, and the dcyilish smile that
fickercd on his face Us he went away like
O wolf made me shiver with prcsage of
woes to come. For 10 minutes or moro he
stood gazing at my window hungrlly, as
q cat gazes ut Gagged bird, and felt that
be was waiting for the door to be opened
end knew that 1t would soon be opened.
This happened on the eve of the day
upon which wss put to torture.
Meanwhile, Us tine wont on, noticed
that change came over the temper Of the
camp. The soldiers ceased to gamble for
untold wealth; they oven ceased drinking
10 excess and from their riotous 10Y, but
took to hanging together In knots, discuss
Ing feroely could not learn OF what. On
tho dsy when Dc Garcia came to look ut
my prison there was great gathering In
the square opposite my prison, to which !
raw Cortes rlde upon o white horse and
richly dressed. Tho lpeetiHg was too fur