Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1894-09-05

of them, like Guatcmoc, 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
Us to how they might expel the Spaniards
before the city was destroyed.
When entered, q man in mail, who sat
in the center Of the half circle, and In
whom I knew Cuitlahua, who would be
the emperor should Montezums die looked
up quickly and said:
."Who is this Guatemoo, that you bring
with your All, remember-the Teule
that was the god Tezcat, and who escaped
the sacrifice today Listen, mobiles. What
is to be done with this manS Say, Is 1t
lawful that he be led back to sacrifice"
Then the priest answered: II g1Ievs to
say that it is not lawful, most noble
prince. This man has lain On the altar
Of the god-he has even be.n 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"
"What, then, shall be done with himr
said the prince again.
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 1t 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, I'VE have no
time to waste over this man when the
lives of thousands are hourly at stake.
The question Is, Shall the Teule De slainW
Then Gustemoc rose and spoke, saying:
"Your pardon, noble kinsmen, but I 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 Teule, but half
of another race that hates them as he hates
them; also he has knowledge of their
customs and mode Of warfare, which we
lack, and think that he may be able to
give us good counsel in our strait"
"The 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 II We
trust himp"
"I will answer with my Life, F." answered
Guatemoo.
"Your life is of too great worth to be cot
on suoh stake, nephew. Men Of this
white breed are Liars, and his own word Ii
Of no value even II he gives It. think
that it will be best to kill him and havc
done with doubts"
"This man is wed to Otomie, princess
Of the Otomie, Montezuma's daughter,
your niece" said Guatemoc again, "and
she loves him so we'll that she offered her
self upon the stone Of sacrihce with him.
Unless mistake she will answer for him
also. Shall she be summoned before your"
"If you wish, nephew, but woman in
love is q blind woman. and doubtless he
has deceived her also. Moreover, she was
his wife according to the rule Of religion
only. Is it your desire that the princess
should be summoned before you, COM
radcs?"
Now some said nay, but the most, those
whose interest Otomie had gained, said
yea, and the end Of it was that one Of their
number was sent to summon her.
Presently she came, looking very weary,
but proud in micn and royalty attired, and
bowed before the council.
"This Is the question, princess, said
Cuitlahua, whether this Teule shall be
slain forthwith, or whether he shall be
sworn az one Of us, should he be willing to
take the oathP The Prince Guatemoc here
vouchcs for him, ana he says, moreover,
that you will youch for him also A WON.
an can do this in one way only, by taking
him she vouches as her husband. You are
already wed to this foreigner by the rule
Of religion. Are you willing to marry him
according to the custom of our land and
to answer for his faith with your own
lifer'
II am willing" Otomie answered quiet
ly, 'if he is willing"
"In truth, it is o great honor that you
would do this white dog" said Cuitlahua
"Bethink you, you are princess Of the Oto-
mile and one Of our masters daughters. It
Is to you that We look to bring back the
mountain clans of the Otomie, Of whom
you are chieftainess, from their unholy al
lance with the accursed Tlascalans, the
slaves Of the Teules. Is not your life too
precious to be set on such stake as this
foreigners faith, for learn, Otomie, If he
proves false your rank shall not help your"
II know it ALL" she replied quietly.
Foreigner or not 1 love this man, and
will answer for him with my blood More
over, look to him to assist me to win
back the people of the Otomie to their al
legiance. But let him speak for himself,
my lord 1t may happen that he has no
desire to take me In marriage"
Cuitlahua smiled grimly and said,
"When the choice lies between the breast
Of death and those fair arms Of yours,
nieco, 1t is easy to guess his answer. Still,
speak, Teule, and swiftly"
II have little to say, lord II the Prin.
cess Otomie Is willing to wed me, am
willing to wed her." answered, and thus
In the moment Of my danger all my doubts
and scruples vanished AS Cuitlahua had
said, it was easy to guess the choice Of one
set between death ind Otomie.
She heard and looked at me warningly,
saying in low voice: Remember our
words, Teule In such q Inarringe you re-
nounce your past and give me your fu.
ture."
II remember" 7 answered, and while I
spoke there came before my eyes vision
OF Lily's face as 1t had been when bado
her farewell This, then, was the end Of
the VOWS that I had sworn. Cuitlahua
looked at mo with glance which seemed
to search my heart and said:
IT hear your words, Teu!e. You. q
white wanderer, arc graciously willing 10
take this princess to wife and by her to DO
lifted high among the great lords of this
Land. But, say how can We trust youi II
you fail US, your wife dies indeed, but that
may be naught to you. "
II am ready to swear allegiance, ON
swered. II hate tho Spaniards, and among
them is my bitterest enemy whom fol-
lowed across the sea to kill-tho man who
strove to murder mo this very day. can
say no more If you doubt my words, it
were best to make an end Of me. Already
I have suffered much at the hands Of your
people. 1t matters little If die or live"
Boldly spoken, Tcule. Now, lords I