The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-10-03
SUMTER. S. c., WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1894.

IER. =. C.. w EON Ei
ten TO tales to1d against him BY wander
ing apostate. It is, however, unlucky for
you,'' and here a gleam Of light shot
across the face of Cortes, that there
should be any old feud between you, see
ing that it is to his charge that am about
to confide you. Now, for the last time, l
say choose Will you reveal the hiding
place Of the treasure and 60 free, or will
you be handed over to the care Of Don Sar-
ceda till such time as he shall find means
to make you speaks''
Now great faintness seized me, for 1
knew that was condemned to be tor
tured, and that De Garcia was to be the
torturer. What mercy had I to expect
from this cruel heart when I, his deadliest
foe, lay in his power to wreak his venge-
ance on? But still my will and my honor
prevailed against my terrors, and an
| swered:
81 have told you, general, that know
nothing of this treasure. Do your worst,
and may God forgive you for your cruelty" "
Dare not speak that holy name, apos-
tate and worshiper Of idols, eater of hu-
man flesh. Let Sarceda be summoned.
A messenger went out, and for awhile
there was silence. caught Marina's
glance and saw pity in her gentle eyes.
But she could not help me here, for Cortes
was mad because no gold had been found,
and the clamor of the soldiers for reward
had worn him out and brought him to this
shameful remedy, he who was not cruel BY
! nature Still she strove to plead for me
! with him. whispering earnestly In his ear.
For awhile Cortes listened; then he pushed
her from him roughly.
.tPeace, Marina" he said. What!
Shall spare this English dog some pangs
when my command and perchance my
very life hangs upon the finding of the
gold? Nay, he knows well where it lies
hid. You said it yourself when I would
have hung him for traitor, and certainly
he was one of those whom the spy saw go
out with it upon the Lake Our friend was
with them also, but he came back no more.
Doubtless they murdered him. What is
this man to you that you should plead for
| him? Cease to trouble me, Marina. Am I
not troubled enough already" and Cortes
put his hands to his face and remained lost
In thought. AS for Marina, she looked at
me sadly and sighed as though to say, II
have done my best,'' and I thanked her
with my eyes.
Presently there was sound Of footsteps,
and looked up to see De Garcia standing
before me. Time and hardship had touched
him lightly, and the lines of silver in his
curling hair and peaked beard did but add
dignity to his noble presence Indeed,
when looked at him in his dark Spanish
beauty, his rich garments decked with
chains of gold, as he bowed before Cortes,
hat in hand, I was fain to confess that
had never seen a more gallant cavalier, or
one whose aspect gave the lie so wholly to
| the black heart within. But knowing him
for what he was my very blood quivered
with hate at the sight Of him, and when I
thought of my own impotence and OF the
errand on which he had come 1 ground
my teeth and cursed the day that I was
born. AS for De Garcia, he greeted me
with little cruel smile, then spoke to
Cortes.
Your pleasure, general?''
Greeting to you, comrade, - answered
Cortes. ''You know this renegade"
'But too we'll, general. Three times he
has striven to murder me- -
well, you have escaped, and it is your
hour now, Sarceda. He says that he has
quarrel with you. What is ft?''
De Garcia hesitated, stroking his peaked
beard, then answered: s'I am loath to tell
it because it is tale of error for which
have often sorrowed and done penance.
Yet will speak for fear you should think
worse Of me than deserve. This man has
some cause to mislike me since, to be frank,
when was younger than am today and
given to the follies of youth It chanced
that in England met his mother, beau
welded to an Englishman, this mans Ia
ther and clown Of clowns, who maltreat-
ed her. will be short. The lady learned
to love me, and worsted her husband In
duel; hence this traitors hate Of me. y
heard and thought that my heart must
burst with fury. To all his wickedness
and offenses against me De Garcia now
had added slander of my dead mothers
honor
.'You lie, you murderer!' gasped tear
ing at the ropes that bound me.
II must ask you to protect me from
such insult, general, % De Garcia answered
coldly. "Were the prisoner worthy Of my
sword would ask further that his bonds
should be loosed for little space, but my
honor would be tarnished forever were I
to fight with such as he.
"Dare to speak thus once more to gen.
tleman of SPAIN" said Cortes coldly,
land, you heather dog, your tongue shah
be dragged from you with redhot pinchers-
For you, Sarceda, I thank you for your
confidence. If you have no worse crime
than love affair upon your soua, I think
that our good chaplain, Olmedo, will
frank you through the purgatorial fires.
But we waste words and time This man
has the secret Of the treasure of Guatemoc
and of Montezuma II Guatemoc and his
mobiles will not tell Il, be at least may be
forced to speak, for the torments that an
Indian can endure without groan will
soon bring truth bubbling from the lips Of
the white heather. Take him, Sarceda,
and, hearken, let him be your especial care.
u