The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-09-05
CHAPTER XVII.

that now hung upon my shoulders, after
the fashion in which 1t was worn by gen.
erals among the Indians, tying it on the
top Of my head with an embroidered rib
bon red In color, and placed plume OF
cocks feathers above it. Next, having ar
rayed my body in gorgeous vestments not
unlike those used by popish priests at the
celebration Of the mass, they set golden
earrings in my ears, golden bracelets on
my wrists and ankles, and round my neck
q collar of priceless emeralds. On my
breast also they hung great gem that
cleaned like moon1it water, and beneath
my chin false beard made from pink sea
shells. Then, having twined me round
with wreaths of flowers till thought OF
the Maypole on Bungay common, they
rested from their labors, filed with admi-
ration at their handiwork.
Now the music sounded again, and they
gave me two lutes, one of which / must
hold in either hand, and conducted me to
the great hall of the palace. Here num-
Der of people Of rank were gathered, all
dressed In festa1 attire, and here also on
dais TO which was led stood my four
wives clad in the rich dresses Of the four
goddesses Xochi, Xilo, Alta and Clixto,
after whom they were named for the days
Of their wifehood, Alta being the Princess
Otomie. When I had taken my place upon
the dais, my wives came forward one by
one, and kissing me on the brow offered
me sweetmeats and meal cakes In golden
platters and cocoa and mescal In golden
cups. OF the mescal drank, for it is q
spirit, and needed inward comfort, but
the other dainties could not touch
These ceremonies being finished there
was silence for awhile, till presently 8
band Of filthy priests entered at the far
end Of the chamber, clad in their scarlet
sacrificial robes. Blood was on them ey
erywhere; their long locks were matted
with it; their hands were red with it; even
their fierce eyes seemed full Of it. They
advanced up the chamber till they stood
before the dais. Then suddenly the head
priest lifted up his hands, crying aloud:
adore the immortal god, ye. people,
and all those gathered there Frustrated
themselves, shouting:
1--WE adore the god!''
Thrice the priest cried aloud, and thrice
they answered him thus, prestrating
themselves at every answer. Then they rose
again, and the priest addressed me, say
ing:
"Forgiye us, O Tezcat, that we cannot
honor you as it is meet, for our sovereign
should have, been here to worship you
with us. But you know, O Tezcat, how
sore is the strait Of your servants, who
must wage war I'm their own city against
those who blasphemo you and your broth
er gods. You know that our beloved en-
peror lies wounded, prisoner in their un-
holy hands. When we have gratifed your
longing to pass beyond the skies, O Tez-
cat, and when in your earthly person you
have taught us the lesson that human
prosperity is but shadow which fees
away, in memory OF our love for you In
tercede for us. we beseech you, that we
may smite these wicked ones and honor
you and them by the rite Of their own
sacrifice o Tezcat, you have dwelt with
US but q little while, and now you will
not suffer that we hold you longer from
your glory, for your eyes have longed to
see this happy day, and 1t is come at last.
We have loved you, Tezcat, and minister
ed to you. Grant in return that we may
see you in your splendor, we who are your
little children, and till we come watch
well over our earthly welfare and that OF
the people among whom you have design
ed to sojourn. %
Having spoken some such words as
these, that at times could scarcely be heard
because Of the sobbing Of the people and
Of my wives who wept loudly, except
Otomie alone, this villainous priest made
sign, and once more the music sounded.
Then he and his band placed themselves
about me, my wives, the goddesses, going
before and after, and led me down the hall
and on to the gateways Of the palace,
which were thrown wide for us to pass.
Looking round me with stony wonder,
for in this my last hour nothing seemed to
escape my notice, 1saw that strange play
was being played about us. Some hun
dreds Of PAGES away the attack on the pal
ace Of AKA, where the Spaniards were in
trenched, ragged with fury. Bands OF war
riors were attempting to scale the walls
and being driven back by the deadly IRE
Of the Spaniards and the pixies and clubs
of the Tlascalan allies, while from the
roofs Of such of the neighboring houses as
remained unburned, and more especially
from the platform of the great teocalli, on
which must presently give up the ghost,
arrows javelins and stones were poured
by thousands into the courtyards and outer
works Of the Spanish quarters.
Five hundred yards away or so ragged
this struggle to the death, but about me-
around the gates Of Montezuma's palace
on the hither side of the square, was q
different scene. Here were gathered q
vast crowd, among them many women and
children, waiting to see me die. They
came with flowers in their hands, with the
sound Of music and joyous cries, and when
they saw me they set up such shout OF
welcome that it almost drowned the thun-
der Of the guns and the angry roar OF bat
tie. Now and again an Ill aimed cannon
ball would plow through them, killing
some and wounding others, but the rest
took no heed, only crying tho more: wei
come, Tezcat, and farewell. Blessings on
you, our dcliverer; welcome and FAREWELL
We went slowly through the press, tread
ing on path of flowers, till we came
,crosS tho COURTYARD to the base of the