Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1894-08-29
CHAPTER XVIII.
TIE KISS OF LOVE.

bearing with them apparel more gorgeous
than any that had worn hitherto. First,
these pages having stripped me of my
robes, the artists painted all my body In
hideous designs of red and white and blue
till I resembled flag, not even sparing
my face and lips, which they colored with
carmine hues. Over my heart also they
drew scarlet ring with much care and
measurement Then they did up my hair,
that now hung upon my shoulders, after
tho fashion in which it 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 a plume Of
cocks feathers above it. Next, having e-
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
collar of priceless emeralds. On my
breast also they hung great gem that
cleaned like moonlit water, and beneath
my chin false beard made from pink Geo
shells. Then, having twined me round
with wreaths of flowers till thought CT
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, ono 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 festal attire, and here also on
dais to which was led stood my four
IL i,,f f1,a .;,I, ~ ha-
goddesscs Xochi, Xilo, Alta and Clixto
after whom they were named for the days
of their wifehood, Alta being the Princess
Otomie. When had taken my place upon
the dais, my wives came forward one by
one, and kissing mo on the brow offered
mo swectmeats and meal cakes in golden
platters and cocoa and mescal In golden
cups. Of the mcscal drank, for 1t Is q
spirit and / needed inward comfort, but
the other daintics could not touch.
These ceremonies being finished, there
was silence for awhile, till presently q
band of filthy priests entered at the far
end of the chamber, clad in their scarlet
sacrificial robes. Blood was on them eV-
erywhere; their long locks were matted
with IT, their hands were red with 1t; even
their fierce eyes seemed full Of 1t. They
advanced up tho 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 oil those gathered there Frustrated
themselves, shouting:
I'VE adore the god!''
Thrice the priest cried aloud, and thrice
tI,,,c N ~
themselves at every answer. Then they rose
again, and the priest addressed me, say
ing:
Forgive us, o Tczcat, that we cannot
honor you as it is meet for our sovereign
should have been hero to worship you
with us But you know, o Tezcat, how
sore Is the strait of your servants, who
must wage war in their own city against
those who blasphemc you and your broth
or gods You know that our beloved en-
pcror 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 O shadow which fees
away, in memory of our love for you In
terccde for us. we beseech you, that we
may smite these wicked ones and honor
you and them by the rite Of their own
sacrifice. G Tezcat, you have dwelt with
us but little while, and now you will
not suffer that we hold you longer from
your glory, for your eyes have flonged to
see this happy day, and 1t is come at last.
We have loved you, Tezcat, and minister
nj 10 Gront In, 1.ot,rrr, fh at m nv
SEQ 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 ut times could scarcely be heard
because Of the sobbing Of the people and
of my wives who wept loudly, except
Otomic alone, this villainous priest made
q sign, and once moro the music sounded.
Then he and his band placed themselves
about me, my wives, the goddesses, going
before and after, and led mo down the hall
and on to the gateways Of the palace,
which were thrown wide for us to pass.
Looking round me with q stony wonder,
for in this my last hour nothing seemed to
escape my notice, saw that strange play
was being played about us. Some hun
dreds Of PAGES away the attack on the pal
ace of Axa, 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 fro
of the Spaniards and the pixies aud 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, javclins 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 Montezums's palace
on the hithcr side Of the square, was
different sccno. Here were gathered a
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 1t almost drowned the thun-
der Of the guns and the angry roar Of bat
tic. Now and again ON Ill aimed cannon
bull would plow through them, killing
somo and wounding others, but the rest
took no heed, only crying the more: "Wel-
come, Tezcat, and farewell Blessings on
you, our dcliverer; welcome and FAREWELL"
We went slowly through tho press, tread
Ing on u path Of flowers, till we came
across tho courtyard to the base Of the
pyramid. Hero ut the outer gate there
was & halt because Of the multitude of peo-
pie, and while wc waited warrior thrust
his way through the crowd and bowed be-
fore me- Glancing up, saw that 1t was
Guatcmoc.
''Teulc," he whispered to me- II leave
my charge yonder, and he nodded to-
ward the force who strove to break n way
into the palace of Axa ito bid you fare
we'll. Doubtless we shall meet again ero
long. Believe Inc, Tculc, would have
helped you If could, but it cannot be. I
wish that 1 might change places with
you. My friend, farewell. Twice you
have saved my life, but yours 1 cannot
save"
Farewell, Guatemoc," ] answered.
Heaven prosper you, for you arc true
man.