The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-10-24

sword. suited myself with another many
years ago, and you have used this one gal
lantly. Never have Iseen Indians make
q better fight. And 80 that is Otomle,
Montezuma's daughter and your wife?
Still handsome and royal, see. Lord,
Lord, it is many years ago, and yet it
seems but yesterday that saw her father
die, Christian hearted man, though no
Christian, and one whom we dealt i'll with
May God forgive us all: Well, medam,
none can say that you have a Christian
heart If certain tale that have heard
Of what passed yonder some three nights
since is true But we Will speak no more
of it, for the savage blood viii show, and
you are pard0ned for your husbands sake,
who saved my comrades from the sacri-
fce.''
To all this Otomie listened, standing
still like statue, but she never answered
word. Indeed she had spoken very rarely
able shame.
ssAnd now, friend Wingdeld, y Went on
the Captain Diaz, what is your purpose
You are free to gowhere you Will With
er, then, will you go?''
.,I do not know" answered. Years
ago. when the Aztec emperor gave me my
life and this princess, my wife, in mar
riage, swore to be faithful to him and
his cause and to fight for them till Popo
ceased to yomit smoke, till there was no
king in Tenoctitlan and the people OF
Anahuac were no more people.
Then you are quit Of your oath, friend,
for all these things have come about, and
there has been no smoke ON Popo for these
two years. Now, If you VIII be advised by
me you will turn Christian again and en-
ter the service OF Spain. But come, let Us
to supper. We can talk Of these matters
afterward .
So we sat down to eat by the light Of
torches in the banqueting hall with Ber-
nal Diaz and some other of the Spaniards.
Otomie would havele us, and though the
captain bade her stay she ate nothing and
presently slipped away from the chamber.
report TO the v1ceToy. Then the Captain
Diaz bade him begone to he'll if he wished
and report to the devil, saying that he had
always believed that he had escaped thence
by mistake, and they parted in nwrath who,
since the day of noche triste, never loved
each other much, the end of it being that
Sarceda rides for Mexico within an hour
to make what mischief he can at the vice
roy's court, and think that you are well
rid Of him"
Father" said my son to me, who is
that Spaniard who looks so cruelty upon
us?''
...sThat is he Of whom have told you,
son. De Garcia, who has been the curse OF
our race for two generations, who betrayed
your grandfather to the holy Office and
murdered your grandmother, who put me
to torture, and whose III deeds are not
done with yet. Beware Of him, son, now
and ever, beseech you. -
Now we were come to tie palace, almost
the only house that was left standing IN
the City Of Pines. Here an apartment was
given to US at the end Of the long building,
and presently g command was brought to
us that and my wife should wait upon
the Spanish Captain Diaz.
So we went, though Otomie desired me
to stay behind, leaving our son alone IN
the chamber where food had been brought
to him. remember that kissed him be-
fore left, though do not know what
moved me to do so, unless it was because
T thought that he might be asleep when
returned The Captain Diaz had his quar-
ters at the other end Of the palace, some
zoe PAGES away. Presently we stood before
him He was a rough looking, thickset
man well in years, with bright eyes and
an honest fac, like the face Of peasant
who has toi1ed lifetime in all weathers,
only the fields that Diaz titled were fields
of war, and his harvest had been the lives
of men. Just then he was joking with
some common soldiers in q strain scarcely
suited to nice ears, but so soon as he saw
us he ceased and came forward saluted
him, after the Indian fashion, by touching
the earth with my hand, for what was
but an Indian captivee
Your sword, - he said briefly as he
scanned me with his quick eyes.
I unbuckled it from my side and handed
it to him, saying in Spanish:
.tTake it, captain, for you have con-
ouered; also it does but come back to its
owner" For this was the same sword
that had captured from one Bernal Diaz
in the fray Of the noche triste.
He looked at it; then swore great oath
and said.
IT thought that it could be no other
man. And so we meet again thus after SO
many years Well, you gave me my LIE
once, and I am glad that I have lived to
nay the debt. Had not been sure 1t was
you, you had not won such easy terms,
friend. How are you namede Nay, /.
know what the Indians call you. -
II am named Wingfeld.
Friend Wingfeld, then, for I tell you
that would have sat beneath yonder,
devils house, - and he nodded toward the,
teocalli, It'll you starved upon its top.
Nay, friend Wingdeld, take back the
ITO BE CONTINUED