Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1894-08-15

the deStruculon or til, g who r:Hrshiped
them, as was dccreed by one more power
full than they.
Now, while we were talking the sun had
sunk swiftly, so that all the world was
dark But the light still fingered on the
snowy crests of the volcanoes Popo and
Ixtac staining them an awful red. Never
before to my sight had the shape OF the
dead woman whose everlasting bier Is
I1tac's bulk seemed so clear and wonder
full as on that night, for either 1t was so
or my fancy gave 1t the very shape and
color Of q wolnan's corse stepped In blood
and laid out for burial. Nor was 1t my
phantasy alone, for when Montezuma had
finished upbraiding me he chanced to look
up and his eyes falling on the mountain
remained fixed there.
"Look now, Tcule!' he said presently,
with solemn laugh; "yonder lies the
corse Of the nations of Anahuac washed
In a water Of blood and made ready for
burial Is she not terrible in death'"
As he spoke the words and turned to go,
sound of doleful wailing came from the
direction of the mountain, very wild
and unearthly sound that caused the blood
In my veins to stand still. Now Monte
yuma caught my arm In bis fear, and we
gazed together on Ixtao, and 1t seemed to
US that this wonder happened, for IN
that red and fearful light the red figure Of
the sleeping woman arose, or appeared to
rise, from its bier Of stone. 1t arose slow
ly like one who awakes from sleep, and
presently it stood upright upon the noun
tain's brow, towering high in the air.
There it stood, q giant and awakened
corpse, Its white trappings stained with
blood, and we trembled to see 1t.
For awhile the wrath remained thus
gazing toward the city of Tenoctitlsn; then
suddenly it threw Its vast arms upward as
though in grief, and at that moment the
night rushed in upon 1t and covered It,
while the sound Of wailing died slowly
away.
"Say, Teule," gasped the emperor, "do
I not we'll to be afraid when such portents
as these meet my eyes day by dayt Heark-
en- to The lamentations In the city; we
have not seen this sight alone. Listen how
the people cry aloud with fear and the
priests beat their drums to avert the Umen.
Weep on, ye people, and ye priests pray
and do sacrificed 1t Is very fitting, for the
day Of your doom is upon you. o Tenoc-
titan, queen Of cities, see you ruined
and desolate, your palaces blaekened with
fire, your temples desecrated, your pleas
ant gardens wilderness. see your high
born women the wantons Of stranger lords
and your princes their servants; the canals
run red with tho blood OF your children;
your gateways are blocked with their bones.
Death Is sbout you everywhere: dishonor
is your daily bread; desolation Is Jour por-
tion. Farewell to you, queen Of the cities,
cradle Of my forefathers In which was
nursedl"
When Montezuma had made an end Of
crying his prophecies, I asked him hum
bly, II should summon to him the lords
who were in attendance upon him, but
who stood at some distance
MAY" he answered, " would not have
them sec mo thus with grief and terror
upon my face. Whoever fears, at least
must seem brave. Walk with me- awhile
Teule, and II it Is In your mind to murder
mo shall not 0riavn I"
TO BE CONTINUED.