Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1894-09-05
CHAPTER Xxx.

Otomie turned and went. watched the
eoldan curtains close behind her. Then I
sank back upon the couch and instantly
was lost In sleep, for was faint and weak
and 80 dazed with weariness that at the
time scarcely knew what had happened
or the purpose Of our talk. Afterward,
however, 1t came back to me- I must have
slept for many hours, for when I awoke 1t
was far into the night. 1t was night, but
not dark, for through the barred window
places came the sound Of tumult and fight
Ing and red rays Of light cast by the flames
Of burning houses. One Of these windows
was above my couch, and standing on the
bed seized the sill with my hands. With
much pain, because Of the flesh wound in
my side, drew myself up till I could look
through the bars Then I saw that the
Spamards, not content with the capture Of
the teocalu, had made night attack and
set fro to hundreds of houses In the city.
The glare of the flames was that Of lurid
day, and by 1t could see the white men
retreating to their quarters, pursued by
thousands Of Aztecs, who hung upon their
fanks, shooting at them with stones and
errows.
Now dropped down from the window
place and began to think as to what I
should do, for again my mind was wayer-
Ing. Should desert Otomie and escape
to the Spaniards, If 1t were possible, tax
Ing my chance OF death at the hands Of De
GarcisP Or should I stay among the
Aztecs, II they would give me shelter, and
wed Otomier There was n third choice
indeed-to stay with them and leave Oto-
mile alone, though it would be difficult to
do this and keep my honor. One thing l
understood-f I married Otomie 1t must
be at her own price, for then I must be-
come an Indian and give over all hone OF
returning to England and to my botrothed.
OF this Indeed there was little chance.
Still, while life remained to me, 1t might
como about If was free But once my
hands were tied by this marriage 1t could
never be during Otomie's lifetime, and so
fur as Lily Board was concerned should
be dead. How could be thus faithless to
her memory and my troth, and, on the
other hand, how could discard the wom-
an who had risked all for me, and who, to
speak truth, had grown so dear to me,
though there was one yet dearerS
While sat musing on tho couch tho
curtain was drawn, and man entered
bearing torch. 1t was Guatcmoc as he
had come from the fray, which, except for
Its harvest Of burning houses was finished
for that night. The plumcs were shorn
from his head, his golden armor was
hacked by tho Spanish swords, and he
bled from shot wound in the neck.
"Greeting, Teule," he said Certainly
never thought to sec you alive tonight,
or myself either, for that matter. But 1t
is strange world, and now, If never bo-
fore in Tenoctitlan, those things happen
for which we look the least. But have
no time for words I came to summon
you before tho council"
''What Is to be my fateP" / asked
-To be dragged back to tho stono Of sacri-
ases"
"Esy, have no fear Of that. But for
6hs rest cannot say. In an hour you
may be dead or great among us, II any OF
n1 can be called great In these days OF
shame. Otomie has worked well for you
among the princes and the counselors, 30
uhe says, and II you havo heart you
should be grateful to her, for 1t seems to
me that few women have loved man 30
much. AS for mo, have boon employed
elsewhere, and he glanced at his rent
ermor, "but l will lift up my voico for
you. Now come, friend, for the torch
burns low. BY this time you must be
well seasoned In dangers. One moro or
less will matter as little TO you as 70 me. ="
Then / rose and followed him into tha
great cedar paneled hall whero that very
morning 1 had received alteration as 8
god. Now was god no longer, but a
prisoner on trial for his lifo. Upon tho
dais whero had stood in the hour of my
aodhead Bero Rnthered thosa Of the princes