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

bow in hand, attired in my simple hunt
er's dress, smiled frankly and said:
''Surely, Teule, if know anything Of
the looks of men, we are too equal in our
birth, as in our age, for you to salute me
as slave greets his master" And he
held his hand to me.
And took it, answering with the help
of Marina, who was watching this great
lord with eager eyes:
''It may be so, prince, but though in my
own country am man Of repute and
wealth here am nothing but slave
snatcked from the sacrifice.
IT know it, he said, frowning. lit is
well for all here that you were so snatched
before the breath of life had left you, else
Montezuma's wrath had fallen on this
CITY," And he looked at the cazique, who
trembled, such in those days was the ter
Tor of Montezuma's name.
Then he asked me if was Teu1e, or
Spaniard told him that was no Span
lard, but one of another white race who
had Spanish blood in his veins. This say
ing seemed to puzzle him, for he had never
SO much as heard Of any other white race,
SO told him something of my story, at
least so much Of it as had to do with my
being cast away.
When Ihad finished, he said: ''1f have
understood Alright, Teule, you say you are
no Spaniard, yet that you have Spanish
blood in you and came tither In Spanish
ship, and find this story strange. Well,
it is for Montezuma to judge Of these mat
ters, so let US talk Of them no more Come
and show me how you handle that great
bow Of yours. Did you bring it with you,
or did you fashion it here? They tell me,
Teule, that there is no such archer In the
land. -
So came up and showed him the bow,
which was of my own make and would
shoot an arrow some 80 PAGES farther than
any that I saw in Anahuac, and we fell
into talk on matters of sport and war, Ma
rina helping out my want of language,
and before that day was done we had
grown friendly.
For week the Prince Guatemoc and
his company rested in the town Of Tabas-
co, and all the time we three talked much
together. Soon saw that Marina looked
with eyes Of longing on the great lord,
partly because Of his beauty, rank and
might, and partly because she wearied Of
her captivity in the house Of the cazique
and would share Guatemoc's power, for
Marina was ambitious. She tried to win
his heart in many ways, but he seemed not
to notice her, so that at last she spoke
more plainly and in my hearing.
tsYou 90 hence tomorrow, prince" she
said softly, land I have favor to ask of
you, if you will listen to your handmade. Z"
'Speak on, maiden" he answered
41.4 4
you will buy me Of the cazique, my mas
ter, or command him to give me up to you,
and take me with you to Tenoctitlan.'
Guatemoc laughed aloud ''You put
things plainly, maiden" he said, "but
know that in the city Of Tenoctitlan my
royal wife and cousin, Tecuichpo awaits
me, with her three other ladies, who, as it
chances, are somewhat jealous. /"
Now Marina flushed Ecneath her brown
skin, and for the first and last time saw
her gentle eyes grow hard with anger as
she answered:
IT asked you to take me with you-
prince. did not ask to be your wife Or
love-"
ssBut perchance you meant it, % he said
dyly:
whatever may have meant, prince, it
is now forgotten. wished to see the great
city and the great king, because weary
of my life here and would myself grow
great. You have refused me, but perhaps
| q time will come when shall grow great
| in spite of you, and then may remember
the shame that has been put upon me
against you, prince, and ali your royal
house"
Again Guatemoc laughed and Of sud
den grew stern
| 'sYou are overbold, girl, /" he said, for
less words than these many 4 one might
find herself stretched upon the stone OF
sacrifice. But will forget them, for your
woman's pride is stung, and you know
! not what you say. Do you forget them
also, Teulc if you hare understood"
Then Marina turned and went, her
bosom hcaving with anger and outraged
love or PRIDE and as she passed NE heard
her mutter, Yes, prince, you may forget,
but shall not -
Often since that day have wondered If
some vision of the future entered into the
girls breast in that hour, or II IN her
wrath she spoke at random. have won
dered also whether this scene between her
and Guatemoc had anything to 90 with
the history of her after life or did Marina
as she avowcd to me Il! the days to come,
bring shame and ruin on her country for
the love of Cortcs alone? 1t is hard to
say, and perhaps these things had nothing
! to do with what followed for when great
events have happened >:c are apt to search
out causes for them IL the past that were
no cause. This may have been but pass
ing mood of hers and one soon put out OF
mind, for it is certain that few build Up
the temples of their lives upon some firm
foundation of hope or hate of desire or
despair though it has happened to me to
do so, but rather take Chance for their arch
| itect, and indeed whether they take him
or no he is still the master builder. Still
that Marina did not forget this talk
! know for in after time heard her remind
this very prince of the words that had
passed between thenl-ayc. and heard his
noble answer to her.
For whole month we travelled, for the
way was far and the road rough, and some
times we must cut our path through forests
and sometimes we must wait upon the
banks of rivers. Many were the strange
sights saw upon that journey, and many
] the cities in which We sojourned in much