Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1894-10-17
CHAPTER xxx.
TIE END OF GUATEMoC.


Now for awhile we dwelt in quiet at the
City of Pines, and by slow degrees and
with much suffering recovered from tho
wounds that the cruel hand of De Garcia
had inflicted upon me. But we knew that
this peace could not last, and the people OF
the Otonie knew 1t also, for had they not
scourged the ENJOYS of Malinche out of the
gates of their cityt Many Of them were
now sorry that this had been done, but 1t
was done, and they must reap as they had
sown.
SO they made ready for war, and Otomie
Yves the president of their councils, N
which I shared. At length came news
that force Of 30 Spaniards, with 5000
Tlascalan allies, were advancing on the
city to destroy Us. Then I took command
of the tribesmen of the Otomie-there
were 10000 OF moro Of them, all well
armed after their own fashion-and ad-
yanced out Of the city till was two-thirds
Of the way down the gorge which leads to
1t. But did not bring all my army down
this gorge, since there was no room for
them to fight there, and had another
plan. sent some 1000 men round the
mountains, of which the secret paths were
we'll known to them, bidding them climb
to the crest Of the precipices that bordered
either side Of the gorge, and there, at Ger
tain places where the cliff is sheer and
more than 1000 feet In height, to make
great provision Of stones
The rest Of my army, excepting 900
whom kept with me, I armed with bows
and throwing spears and stationed them
in ambush in convenient places where the
sides Of the cliff were broken and In such
fashion that rocks from above could not
be rolled on them. Then sent trusty men
as spies to warn me Of the approach OF the
Spaniards and others whose mission 1t
was to offer themselves to them as guides
Now, thought my plan good, and every
thing looked well, and yet 1t missed fall
u1e but by very little, for Ma1tla, our
enemy and the friend Of the Spaniards,
was in my camp-indeed had brought
him with me that I might watch him
and he had not been idle.
For when the Spaniards were haf q
days march from the mouth Of the detile
one Of those men whom had told of to
watch their advance came to me and made
it known that Ma1t1a had bribed him to
90 to the leader of tho Spaniards and dis
close to him the plan Of the ambuscade.
This man had taken the bribe and started
Oh his errand of treachery, but his hesrS
feiled him, and returning he told me nn.
Then caused Maxtla to be seized, and b.
fore nightfall he had paid the price OF hts
wickedness.
On the morning after his death the
Spanish array entered the pass. Half way
down 1t I met them with my 500 men and
engaged them, but suffered them to drive
US back with some loss. AS they followed
they grew bolder, and we fled faster till ae
length we flew down the dcflc, followed BY
the Spanish horse Now, some three fur
longs from its mouth that leads to the City
Of Pines this pass turns and narro17s, and
here the cliffs arc so sheer and high thns
twilight reigns ut the foot OF them.
Down tho narrow way we ran In scent
ing rout, and after us came tho Spnniards
shouting on their saints and flushed with
victory. But scarcely hud wo turned the
corner when thoy sang another song, for
those who were watching 1000 feet above
us gave the signal. and down from Or high
came rain of stoncs and bowldnrs TINT
darkened the air and crashal among them.
crushing many OF them.
On they struggled, seeing wider way
In front whero tho cliffs slopcd, and per
haps half of them won through. But here
the archers were waiting, and now, In the
place of stones, arrows were hailcd upon
them till at length. utterly bewildered
end unable to strike blow In their own
defense, they turned TO fy toward tho open
country. This finished the fight, for now
we assailed their flank. and once more the
rocks thundered on them from ahoye, and
the end Of 1t WAS that those who remained
OF the Spanards and their Indian allies
were driven In utter rout back to the plain
beyond tho PASS OF Pinns.
Afte. this battle tho Sraninrds troubled
as no mere n.r many yeirs c1copt oy
threats, nirI ray purrc grew great among
the peopl ~ 0tUniie i
Ono ST.. r*a"rH from ueatn. anu
afterwu:,; Lin Ills liberty. From