The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-08-15

ing when at length I saw the great tenn
pie, with its stone gateways opening to
the north and the south, the east and the
west. its walls carven everywhere with
serpents, its polished pavements, its teoc-
allis decked with human skulls, thousands
upon thousands of them, and its vast sur.
rounding tianquez, or market place.
caught But a glimpse of it then, for the
darkness was falling, and afterward we
were borne on through the darkness, did
not know whittier.
Awhile went by, and saw that we had
left the city and were passing up steep
hill beneath the shadow Of mighty cedar
trees. Presently we halted in a courtyard,
and here was hidden to alight. Then
the Prince Guatemoc led me into Won
drous house, Of which all the rooms were
rooted with cedar wood and its walls hung
with. richly colored cloths, and in that
house gold seemed as plentiful as bricks
domestics who bore cedar wands in their
hands, we went through many passages
and rooms till at length we came to q
chamber where other domestics were
awaiting Us, who washed US with scented
waters and clothed US in gorgeous ap-
parel Thence they conducted us to door,
where We were hidden to remove our shoes,
and coarse colored robe was given to
each of us to hide our splendid dress. The
robes having been put on, we were suffered
to pass the door and found ourselves in a
vast chamber in which were many noble
men and some women, all standing and
clad in coarse robes At the far end OF
this chamber was gilded screen, and
from behind it foated sounds Of sweet
music.
Now, as we stood in the great chamber,
that was lighted with sweet smelling
torches, many men advanced and greeted
Guatemoc, the prince, and noticed that
all of them looked upon me curiously.
Presently woman came, and saw that
her beauty was great. She was tall and
stately, and beneath her rough outer robe
splendidly attired in worked and jeweled
garments. Weary and bewildered as I
was, her loveliness seized me, as it were, in
vise-never before had seen such love-
illness, for her eye was proud and full
like the eye of buck, her curling hair fell
upon her shoulders, and her features were
very noble, yet tender almost to sadness,
though at times she could seem fierce
enough. This lady was yet in her first
youth; perchance she may have seen some
Is years, but her shape was that of a full
grown woman and most royal.
Greeting, Ggstemcc, my cousin" " she
said IN sweet voice. So you are conc
at last. My royal father has awaited you
for long ard will ask questions as to your
delay. Ny sister, your wife, has wondered
also why you tarried. " '''A'- w.
Now, as She spoke, felt rather than saw
that this lady was searching me with her
eyes.
Greeting, Otomie, my cousin, answer
ed the prince. Il have been delayed by
the accidents of travel. Tabasco is far
away; also my charge and companion,
Teule,' and he nodded toward me, met
with an accident on the road. -
What was the accident" she asked.
Only this-that he saved me from the
jaws of q puma at the risk Of his life when
all the others fled from me and was some
what hurt in the decd. He saved me thus, "
and i'm a few words he told the story.
She listened, and saw that her eyes
sparkled at the tale. When it was done,
she spoke again, and this time to me.
Welcome, Tcule," she said, smiling.
"You are not Of our people, yet my heart
goes out to such a man" And, still smil-
/ ing, she left US.
Who is that great lady,? I asked OF
Guatemoc.
That is my cousin Otomie, the prin-
cess Of the Otomie, my uncle Montezu-
mas favoriee daughter, he answered.
She likes you, Teule, and that is we'll fol-
you for many reasons. Hush!'
AS he spoke the screen at the far end OF
the chamber was drawn aside. Beyond it
a man sat upon broidered cushion, who
was inhaling the fumes of the tobacco
weed from gilded pipe of wood, after the
other than the monarch Montezuma, was
Of tall build and melancholy counte.
nance, having a very pale face for one OF
his nation, and thin, black hair. He was
dressed in white robe Of the purest cot
ton and wore golden belt and sandals
set with pearls, and on his head plume
Of feathers of the royal green. Behind him
were band of beautiful girls somewhat
slightly clothed some Of whom played or
lutes and other instruments of music, and
Oh either side stood four ancient counsel
ors, all of them barefootcd and clad il
the coarsest garments.
So soon as the screen was drawn all the
company in the chamber Frustrated them
selves upon their knees, an example that
I fastened to follow, and thus they remain
ed till the emperor made a sign with tht
gilded bowl Of his pipe, when they rose tt
their feet again and stood with foldet
hands and eyes fixed abjectly upon th'
floor. Presently Mentezuma made anoth
er signal, and three aged men, whom
understood to be ambassadors, advance
and asked some prayer Of him. He an
swercd them with nod Of the head, ant
they rctreated from his presence, making
obeisance and stepping backward till the.
mingled with the crowd. Then the empcr
or spoke word to one Of the counselors
who bowed and came slowly down tn
hall, looking to the right and to the left
Presently his eye fell upon Guatemoc, an'
indeed no was easy to see, for he stood