The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-08-22

he who refused to do my bidding should
die.
So at last spoke and said it was my
bidding that I should be suffered to rest
awhile. till feast was prepared for me in
the apartments of Guatemoc the prince,
for there hoped to meet Otomie.
NY tutors and the nobles who attended
me answered that Montezuma, my servant,
had trusted that would feast with him
that night. Still my command should be
DONE Then they left me, saying that they
would come again in an hour to lead me
to the banquet. Now threw off the en-
blems Of my godhead and cast myself down
on cushions to rest and think, and a GER
tain exultation took possession of me, for
was not a god, and had I not power al
most absolute? Still, being of q cautious
mind, / wondered why was god and
how long my power would last.
Before the hour had gone by, pages and
mobiles entered, bearing new robes, which
were put upon my body, and fresh flowers
tncroWnmyh head, and Ewas led away to
Ahesapartnaents OF GuatemccsS fair wdanen
going before inc who played upon irstru-
ments of music.
Here Guatemoc the priaceswaited tore
ceiye me, which he did as though !, his
captive and companion, was the first OF
kings. And yet thought that saw mer-
riment in his eye, mingled with sorrow.
Bending iIrward, spoke to him in
whisper:
.'What does all this mean, prince?"
said. Am befooled, or am indeed
god?''
'.Hush!'' he answered, bowing lew and
Speaking beneath his breath Itmeans
both good and i'll for you, my friend Teule
Another time will tell You. :. Then be
added aloud: Does itplease you, 0 Tez-
cat, god of gods, that we should sit at
meat with you, or will you eat alone?''
.''The gods like good company, prince, y
said.
Now, during this talk had discovered
that among those gathered in the hall was
the Princess Otomie. So when we passed
to the low table around which we were to
sit on cushions hung back, watching
where she would place herself, and then
at once seated myself beside her. This
caused some little confusion among the
company for the place of , onor had been
prepared Cor me at the head Of the table,
1.
and that Of his wife, the royal Teculchpo,
to my left.
Your seat is yonder, o Tezcat, - she
said, blushing beneath her olive skin as
she spoke.
'sSurely god may sitwhere he chooses,
royal Otomie, - answered Besides,
added in low voice, what better place
can he find than by the side Of the most
lovely goddess on the earth?''
Again she blushed and answered; Alas,
am no goddess, but only mortal maid!
Listen. If you desire that Il should be your
companion at our feasts, you must issue
it as command None will dare to DISC
hey you, not even Montezuma, my father.
So rose and said in very halting Aztec
to the mobiles who waited on me, ut is
my will that my place shall always De set
by the side of the Princess Otomie. -
At these words Otomie blushed even
more, and q murmur went round among
the guests, while Guatemoc first looked
angry and then laughed But the mobiles,
my attendants bowed, and their spokes-
man answered:
'.The words Of Tezcat shall be obeyed
Let the seat of Otonie, the royal princess,
OF the god"
Afterward this was always done, except
when I ate with Montezuma himself.
Moreover, the Princess Otomie became
known throughout the city as the blessed
princess, the favored of Tczcat," for so
strong hold had custom and superstition
upon this people that they thought it the
greatest Of honors to her, who was among
the first ladies in the land that he who for
| little space was supposed to hold the
spirit Of the soul Of the world sho lid deign
to desire. her companionship when he ate.
Now the feast went on, and presently
| made shift to ask Otomie what all this
might mean.
'fAlas!' she whispered, ''you do not
know, nor dare tell you now. But Twill
! say this, though you who are god may
sit where you will today an hour shall
| come when you must lie where 5ou would
not. Listen. When we have finished eat
| ing, say that it is your wish to walk in the
gardens of the palace, and that should
accompany you. Then may find chance
! to speak.
| Accordingly, when the feast was over, l
said that desired to walk in the gardens
| with the Princess Otomie, and we went
out and wandered under the solemn trees
that are draped in a winding sheet OF gray
moss, which, hanging from every bough
as though the forest had been decked with
the white boards of an army OF aged men,
waved and rustled sadly in the keen night
air. But, alas. we might not be alone, for
after lis at a distance Of &c PAGES followed
all my crowd Of attendant mobiles, together
with fair dancing girls and minstrcls arm
ed with their accurSed flutes, on which they
blew in season and out of it, dancing as
they blew In vain did command them
to be silent, telling them that it was writ
ten of old that there is time to play and
dance and a time to cease from dancing,
xx.c,11ld not ol,,u