The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-09-26
New Series-V0l. XIV. No. 8.
SUMTER S. c., WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 1894

another portion OF the city. There the
people were huddled together like sheepin
pen. We strovc to defend them, but our
arms were weak with famine. They fired
into us with their pieces, moving us down
like corn before sickle. Then the Tlasca
lans were loosed upon us, like fierce
hounds upon a defenseless buck, and on
this day it is said that there died 40, 600
people, for none was spared. On the NOR
row-it was the last day Of the siege-came
fresh embassy from Cortes, asking that
Guatemoc should meet him. The answer
was the same for nothing could conquer
that noble spirit.
'.Tel him, y said Guatemoc, "that I will
die where am, but that will hold no
parley with him. We are helpless; let
Cortes work his pleasure on U.S.
By now all the city was destroyed, and
we who remained alive within its bounds
were gathered on the causeways and be-
hind the ruins of walls, men, women and
children together.
Here they attacked US again. The great
drum on the teocalli beat for the last time,
and for the last time the wild scream Of
the Aztec warriors went up to heaven. We
fought our best. killed four men that
day with my arrows, which Otomie, who
was at my side, handed me as shot. But
the most Of us had not the strength OF
child, and what could we do? They came
among us like seamen among flock of
seals and slaughtered us by hundreds
They drove us into the canals and trod Us
to death there till bridges were made OF
our bodies. How we escaped do not
know.
At length party Of us, among whom
was Guatemoc with his wife, Tecuichpo,
were driven to the shores of the lake, where
lay canoes, and into these we entered,
scarcely knowing what we did, but think
ing that we might escape, for now all the
city was taken. The brigantines saw us
and sailed after us with favoring wind
the wind always favored the foe in that
war-and, row as we would, one Of them
came up with us and began to fire into us
Then Guatemoc stood up and spoke, say
ing:
~ am Guatemoc Bring me to Malin-
che. But spare those Of my people who re-
main alive"
Now I said to Otomie at my side,
'smy hour has come, for the Spaniards
will surely hang me, and it is in my mind,
wife, that should do well to kill myself,
so that I may be saved from death Of
shame"
NAY, husband,'' she answered sadly,
las said in bygone days, while you I've
there is hope, but the dead come back no
more. Fortune may favor US yet; still, II
you think otherwise, I am ready to die.
s'That will not suffer, Otomie. -
tsThen you must hold your hand hus-
band, for now, as always, where you go
follow
'.Listen, - I whispered ''Do not let it
be known chat you are my wife. Pass
yourself as one of the ladies of Tecuichpo,
the queen, your sister. If we are separat-
ed, and if by any chance escape, l will
try to make my way to the City Of Pines.
There, among your own people, we may
find refuge
$50 be it, beloved, - she answered, smil-
ing sadly. But I do not know how the
Otomie will receive me, who have led co.
900 Of their bravest men to dreadful
death. -
Now we were on the deck of the brigan-
tine and must stop talking, and thence,
after the Spaniards had quarreled over us
for awhile, we were taken ashore and led
to the top of a house which still stood,
where Cortes had made ready hurriedly to
receive his royal prisoner. Surrounded by
his escort, the Spanish general stood, cap
in hand, and by his side was Marina,
grown more lovely than before, whom
now met for the first time since we had
parted in Tabasco.
Our eyes met, and she started, thereby
showing that she knew me again, though
It must have been hard for Marina to rec
ognize her friend Teule in the blood
stained, starving and tattered wretch who
could scarcely find strength to climb the
azotea. But at that time no words passed
between us, for all eyes were bent on the
meeting between Cortes and Guatemoc.
between the eonqueror and the conquered.
Still proud and defiant, though he
seemed but living skeleton. Guatemoc
walked straight to where the Spanlard
stood and spoke, Marina translating his
words:
II am Guatcmoc, the emperor, Malin-
che" he said What man might do to
defend his people have done Look on
the fruits of my labor, and he pointed to
the blackened ruins of Tenoctitlan that
stretched on every side as far as the eye
could reach. "Now have come to this
pass, for the gods themselves have been
against me- Deal with me as you will, but
it will be best that you kill me now, and
he touched the dagger of Cortes with his
hand, land thus rid me swiftly OF the
misery Of life. -
Fear not, Guatemoc, - answered Cor
tes. s.You have fought like u brave man,
and such honor. With me you are safe,
for we Spaniards love gallant foe. See,
here is food, " and he pointed to :: table
spread with such viands as we had not
seen for many week. Eat, you and
your companions together, for you must
need it. Afterward we will talk:
So we ate, and heartily, I, for my part,
thinking it would be well to die upon
full stomach, having faced death so long
upon an empty one, and while we de-
voured the meat the Spaniards stood on
one side scanning us, not without pity.
Presently Tecuichpo was brought before
Cortes, and with her Otomie and six other
1adioc Ha yrootod her craciOuS1C and