Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1894-10-17

Then the TIascalans were free; how they
are race of serfs Say, will you share
their serfdomi My people, my people,
think not that I plead for myself or even
for the husband who Is more dear to me
than aught save honor. Do you indeed
dream that we will suffer you to hand us
living to these dogs Of Tlascalans, whom
Malinohe insults you by sending as his
messengers"
Look" and she walked to where the
spear that had been hurled at her lay upon
the pavement and lifted 1t, "here Is means
Of death that some friend has sent us, and
if you will not listen to my pleading you
shall see it used before your eyes. Then,
If you will, you may send our bodies TO
Malinche as peace Offering. But for your
own sakes I plead with you. DEFY Ma
linche, and If you must die at Last die as
freemen and, not as slaves OF the Teule.
Behold now his tender mercies and see the
lot that shall be yours If you take another
counsel, the counsel of Maxtla," and COM
ing to the litter on which lay she rent my
robes from me, leaving me almost naked
to the waist, and unwound the bendages
from my wounded limb, then lifted me
up SO that rested upon my sound foot
"Lookl" she cried In q piercing voice,
and pointing 10 the scars and unhealed
wounds upon my face and leg. LOOK on
the work Of Teule and the Tlascalan; see
how the foe Is dealt with who surrenders
to them. Yield II you will, desert US II you
will, but say that then your own bodies
shall be marked In Like fashion TILL not
an ounce Of gold Is left that can minister
to the greed Of the Teule, or man or
maiden who can labor to satisfy his indo-
lenoe."
Then she ceased, and letting me sink
rently to the ground, for could not stand
alone, she stood over me, the spear In her
Rand, as though waiting to plunge tt to
nv heart should tho people still demand
our surrender to the messengers Of Cortes.
For one instant there was silence; then
of a sudden the cla1nor and the tumut
broke out again ten times more furiously
than at first But 1t was no longer aimed
at us. Otomie had conquered Her noble
words, her beauty, the tale Of our sorrows
and the sight of my torments had done
their work, and the heart Of the people
was filed with fury against the Teules
who had destroyed their army and the
Tlascalans that had aided them. Never
did the wit and eloquenoe Of woman
cause swifter change. They screamed
and tore their robes and shook their weap-
ons In the air. Maxtla strove to speak, but
they pulled hdn down, and presently no
was flying for mis- life. lien they turned
upon the Tiesc-l'1 onvoys and beat them
with sticks, crying:
"This is our answer to Malinche- Run,
you dogs, and take It'll" till they were dri7-
en- from the town.
Now at length the turmoil ceased, and
some Of the great chiefs came forward, and
kissing the hand Of Otomie said:
Princes, we, your children, will guard
you to the death, for you have put another
heart into us. You are right 1t Is better
to die free than to live as slaves.
''See, my husband, +" said Otomie, u
was not mistaken when I told you that my
people were loyal and true. But now we
must make ready for war, for they have
gone too far to turn back, and when this
tlding comes to the ears of Malinche he
will be like puma robbed Of her young.
Now let US rest I am very weary"
"Otomie, answered. "there has lived
no greater woman than you upon this
earth"
''Icannot tell, husband" she said, smil-
ing. IF have won your praise and safe
tv it ia enough for me-.