The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-08-22
CHAPTER XIV.
THE ARISING OF PAPASTZIN.

THE ARISING OF PAPAETZIS.
On the morrow Papantzin died and was
buried with great pomp that same evening
in the burial ground at Chapoltepec, by
the side of the emperor's royal ancestors.
But, as will be seen, she was not content
with their company. On that day also l
learned that to be a god is not all pleasure,
since it was expected Of me that must
master various arts, and chiefly the horrid
art of music, to which never had any de-
sire. Still my own wishes were not allow
ed to weigh in the matter, for there came
to me tutors aged men who might have
found better employment to instruct me
In the use of the lutte, and on this instru-
ment must learn to strum. Others there
were also who taught me letters, poetry
and art, as they were understood among
the Aztecs, and all this knowledge was
glad of.
AS to this matter of my sacrifice was
at first desperate. But reflection told me
that I had already passed many dangers
and come out unscathed, and therefore it
was possible that might escape this one
also. At least death was still q long way
off, and for the present was god. Sol
determined that, whether died or lived,
while lived would live like god and
take such pleasures as came to my hand,
and acted on this resolve.
During the days that followed the death
of Papantzin the palace and the city also
were plunged in ferment. The minds Of
men were shaken strangely because of the
rumors that filled the air. Every night
the fiery portent blazed in the cast, every
day new wonder or omen was reported,
and with it some wild tale of the doings
of the Spaniards, who by most were held
to be white gods, the children of Quetzal,
come back to take the land which their
forcfathers ruled
But of all that were troubled none were
in such bad case Us the emperor himself,
who during these weeks scarcely ate, drank
or slept, so heavy were his fears upon him.
In this trait he sent messengers to his an
cient rival, that wise and severe man, Ne
"a, the king of the allied state of Tezcuco,
begging that he would visit him. This
king came, an old man with fierce and
cleaning eye, and was witness to the in
terview that followed, for in my quality
of god had full liberty of the palace and
cSEQ w NC p1CSCAU bU GA1O NO0AASAAo VI o4AN
emperor and his mobiles. When the two
monarchs had feasted together, Montezu-
ma spoke to Neza of the matter of the
omens and Of the coming Of the Teules,
asking him to tighten the darkness by his
wisdom. Then Neza pulled his long gray
beard and answered that heavy as the
heart of Montezuma might be it must
grow still heavier before the end.
'sSee, lord, he said, II am so sure that
the days of our empire are numbered that
will play you at dice for my Kingdoms
which you and your forefathers have ever
desired to win"
For what wager?" asked Montezuma
II will play you thus answered Neza.
"You shall stake three fighting cocks of
which, should win, ask the spurs only.
set them against all the wide empire of
Tezcuco."
"a small stake" said Montezuma
Cocks are many, and kingdoms are few"
''Still it shall serve our turn" answer
ed the aged king, for know that we play