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

grown friendly.
For week the Prince Guatemoc and
his company rested in the town of Tabas-
co, and all the time we three talked much
together. Soon T saw that Marina looked
with eyes of longing on the great lord,
partly because of his beauty, rank and
might, and partly because she wearied OF
her captivity in the house Of the caziquc
and would share Guatemoc's power, for
Marina was ambitious. She tried to win
his heart in many ways, but he seemed not
to notice her, so that at last she spoke
more plainly and in my hearing.
"You 60 hence tomorrow, prince" she
said softly, land have favor to ask of
you, if you will listen to your handmade. !"
"Speak on, maiden" he answered
IT would ask this, that if it pleases you
you will buy me of the cazique, my mas
ter, or command him to give me up to you,
and take me with you to Tenoctitlan. "
Guatemoc laughed aloud. You put
things plainly, maiden" he said, but
know that in the city of Tenoctitlan my
royal wife and cousin, Tecuichpo, awaits
me, with her three other ladies, who, as 1t
chances, are somewhat jealous"
Now Marina flushed beneath her brown
skin, and for the first and last time saw
her gentle eyes grow hard with anger as
she answered:
II asked you to take me with you,
prince. I did not ask to be your wife or
love-"
"But perchance you meant it, he said
dryly. :.
Whatever I may have meant, prince, 1t
is now forgotten. wished to see the great
city and the great king, because weary
OF my life here and would myself grow
great. You have refused me, but perhaps
a time will como when I shall grow great
in spite Of you, and then may remember
the shame that has been put upon mo
against you, prince, and all your royal
house"
Again Guatemoc laughed and Of sud-
den grew stern.
'You arc ovcrbold, girl" he said, 'for
less words than these many one might
find herself stretched upon the stono of
sacrifice. But will forget them, for your
womans pride is stung, and you know
not what you say. Do you forget them
also, Teule, if you have understood. "
Then Marina turned and went, her
bosom heaving with anger :nd outraged
love OF pride, and as she passed me heard
her mutter, Yes, prince, you may forget
but shall not.
Often since that day have wondered If
some vision of tho future entered into the
girls breast in that hour, or If In her
wrath sho spoke at random have Won
dered also whether this scene between her
and Guatcmoc had anything to do with
the history Of her after life, or did Marina,
as she avowed to me in the days to come,
bring shame and ruin on her country for
the love of Cortes alone? 1t is hard to
say, and perhaps these things had nothing
to do with what followed, for when great
events have happened we are apt to search
out causes for them in the past chat were
no cause. This may have been but pass
ing mood Of hers and one soon put out OF
mind, for it is certain that few build up
the temples of their lives upon some firm
foundation of hope or hate, of desire or
despair, though it has happened to me to
do so, but rather take Chance for their arch
itect and indeed whether they take him
or no no is still the master builder. Still
that Marina did not forget this talk I
know, for in after time heard her remind
this very prince of the words that had
passed between thcln-aye, and heard his
noble answer to her.
For q whole month we Travelled, for the
way was far and the road rough, and some
times we must cut our path through forests
and sometimes we must wait upon the
banks of rivers. Many were the strange
sights saw upon that journey, and many
the cities in which we sojourned in much
state and honor, but cannot stop to tell
Of all these.
One thing Twill relate however, though
briefly, because it changed the regard that
the prince Guatemoc and I felt one to the
other into friendship which lasted till
his death and indeed cEdures in my heart
to this hour.
One day We were delayed by the banks
Of swollen river, and in pastime went
out to hunt for deer. When we had hunt
ed awhile and killed three deer, it chanced
that Guatemoc perceived buck standing
on hillock, and we set about to stalk 1t,
five of us In all But the buck was in the
open, and the trees and bush ceased full
100 yards away from where he stood, so
that there was no way by which we might
draw near to him. Then Guatemoc began
to mock me, saying: Now, Teule, they
tell tales Of your archery, and this deer Is
thrice as far as we Aztccs can make sure
Of killing. Let US see your skill.
II will try" I answered, though the
shot Is long"
So we drew beneath the cover Of a ceiba
tree, Of which the lowest branches droop-
cd to within 15 feet Of the ground, and
having set an arrow on the string of the
great bow that had fashioned after the
shape of those we use in England aimed
and drew it. Straight sped tie arrow and
struck the buck fair, passing through its
heart, and q low murmur Of wonderment
went up from those who saw the feat.
Then, just as we prepared to go to the
fallen deer, male puma, which is moth
ing but cat, though SO times rs big, that
had been watching the buck from above,
dropped down from the boughs of the cell
ba tree full on to the shoulders Of the
Prince Guatemoc, telling him to the
ground, where he lay face downward, while
tho fierce brute bit and clawcd at his back.
Indeed had it not been for his golden cui-
rass and helm Guutcmoc would never
have lived to be emperor of Anahuac, and
perhaps it might have been better SO.
Now, when they saw the puma snarl-
ing and tearing at the person of their
prince, though brave mcn enough, the
three mobiles who were with us were seized
with sudden panic and ran thinking him
dead. But I did not run, though 1 should
! have been glad enough to do so. At my
! side hung one of the Indian weapons that
serve them instead Of swords, club of
wood set on both sides with spikes of OBJ
sidian, like the teeth in the bill of q sword
fish. Snatching it from its loop, gave
the puma battle, striking blow upon his
| head that rolled him over and caused the
blood to pour. In moment he was up
and at me roaring with rage. Whirling
tho wooden sword with both hands,
smotc him in midair, NC blow passing be.
tween his opened paws and catching him
| full on the snout and head So hard We
this stroke that my weapon was shattered.
Still it did not stop the puma. III Il SIC.
ond was cast to the earth with II F-rc,;l
shock, and the brute was on nic, tcaring
| L.