The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-08-22
SUMTER. c. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 90, 1894.

the issue be. If you win my kingdoms, all
is well; if win the cocks, then goodby to
the glory of Anahuac, for its people will
cease to be people, and strangers shall
possess the land"
''Let us play and see" !" said Montezuma.
And they went down to the place that is
called tlachco where the games are set.
Here they began the match with dice, and
at first all went well for Montzeuma, SO
that he called aloud that already he was
lord of Tezcuco.
MAY it be so, !" answered the aged NeZa,
and from that moment the chance changed,
for, strive as he would, MonteZuna could
not win another point, and presently the
set was finished, and Neza had won the
cocks. Now the music played, and court
iers came forward to give the king hom
age on his success. But he rose, signing,
and said:
II would far sooner lose my kingdoms
than have won these fowls, for if had
lost my kingdoms they would still have
passed into the hands Of one Of my own
race Now, alas! my possessions and his
who shall cast down our gods and bring
our names to nothing"
And having spoken thus he rose, and
taking farewell of the emperor he departed
for his own land, where, as it chanced, he
died very shortly without living to see the
fulfillment of his fears.
On the morrow of his departure came
further accounts of the doings Of the
Spaniards that plunged Montezuma into
still greater alarm. In his terror he sent
for an astronomer noted throughout the
land for the truth of his divinations. The
astronomer came and was received by the
emperor privately. What he told him do
not know, but at least it was nothing
pleasant, for that very night men were
commanded to pull down the house OF this
sage, who was buried in its ruins.
Two days after the death Of the astron-
omer Montezuma bethought him that, as
he believed also was Teu1e and could
give him information. So at the hour OF
sunset he sent for me, bidding me walk
with him in the gardens. went thither,
followed by my musicians and attendants,
who would never leave me in peace, but
he commanded that all should stand aside,
as he wished to speak with me alone.
Then he began to walk beneath the mighty
cedar trees, and with him, but keeping
one pace behind.
'4Teule, !" he said at length, tell me OF
your countrymen and why they have come
to these shores. See that you speak truth. -
''They are no countrymen Of mine, 0
Montezuma," answered, though my
mother was one of them"
Ibid I not bid you speak the truth,
Teule3 If your mother was one Of them,
must you not also be Of them, for are you
not Of your mothers bone and blood?''
''As the king pleases, - I 1ansWered, bow
ing. Then I began and told him Of the
Spaniards- their country, their great
ness, their cruelty and their greed Of gold,
and he listened eagerly, though I think
that he believed little Of what I said, for
his fear had made him very suspicious.
When had done, he spoke and said:
'.Why do they come here to Anahuacs"
II fear, o king, that they come to take
the land, or at the least to rob it of all its
treasure and to destroy it's faiths y
"What, then, is your counsel, Teule?
How can I defend myself against these
| mighty men, who are clothed in metal
and ride upon fierce wild beasts, who have
| instruments and make noise like thun-
der, at the sound of which their adversa-
| ries fall dead by hundreds, and who bear
| weapons of shining silver in their hands?
| Alas, there is no defense possible, for they
! are the children of Quetzal come back to
take the land! From my childhood have
known that this evil overshadowed me,
and now it is at my door. -
fI1ro
to speak to the lord of the earth, an
swered, IT say that the reply is easy. Meet
force BY force. The Teules are few, and
you can muster 1000 soldiers for every
one of theirs. Fall on them at once; do
| not hesitate till their prowess finds them
friends, but crush them"
..Such is the counsel of one whose moth
er was a Teule, " the emperor answered,
with sarcasm and bitter meaning. Tell
| me now, counselor, how am I to know
that in fighting against them shall not
be fighting against the gods; how even am
I to learn the true wishes and purposes OF
men or gods who cannot speak my tongue
! and whose tongue I cannot speak,"
lit is easy, o Montezuma," answered.
II can speak their tongue. Send NE to
discover for you. y
Now, as spoke thus, my heart bounded
with hope for if once could come among
the Spaniards perhaps might escape the
altar of sacrifice; also they seemed link
between me and home. They had sailed
hither in ships, and ships can retrace their
path, for though at present my lot was
rot all sorrow it will be guessed that
should have been glad indeed to find my
self once more among Christian men.
Montezuma looked at me awhile and
answered:
"You must think me very foolish,
Teule What, shall send you to tell my
fears and weakness to your country1ncn
| and to show them the joints in my har-
"a e.
>fLNL~ * y