The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-10-31
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CHAPTER XXXIv.
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CHAPTER XXXIV.
VENGEANCE
During that meal Bernal Dlaz spoke OF
our first meeting on the causeway, and OF
how I had gone near to killing him in er-
TOR, thinking that he was Sarceda, and
then he asked mo what was my quarrel
with Sarceda
In as few words as possible told him
the story Of my life, of all the evil that De
Garcia, or Saroeda, had worked upon me
and mine, and Of how it was through him
that was in this land that day. He lis
tened amazed
ssHoly Mother!'' he said at length II
always knew him for villain, but tha-, ,
If you do not lie, friend Wingfeld, he
could be such man as this did not
know. Now, by my word, had heard
this tale an hour ago Sarceda should not
have left this camp till he had answered it
or cleared himself By combat with you.
But I fear it is too late. He was to leave
for Mexico at the rising Of the moon to
stir up mischief against me because [
granted you terns-not that fear him
there, where his repute is small. y
s4I do not lie indeed, - answered.
much Of this tale can prove it need be,
and tell you that would give half TIE
life that is left to me to stand face to face
in open fight with him again. Ever he
has escaped me, and the score between Us
is long"
Now as spoke thus it seemed to me
that cold and dreadful air played upon
my hands and brow and q warning sense
Of present evn crept into my soul, over
coming me so that could not stir or
speak for awhile.
.sIet Us goand see If he has gone, said
Diaz presently, and summoning guard
he was about to leave thechamber. 1t was
at this moment that I c3lanced to look up
and see awoman standing in the doorway.
Her hand rested ON the doorpost; her head,
from which the long hair streamed, was
thrown back, and on her face was look
Of such anguish that at first, so much was
she changed, I did not know her for Oto-
mie. When knew her. I knew all One
thing only could conjre up the terror and
agony that shonei In her deep eyes
What has Glanced to our son@' lasked.
dead, dead!'' she answered In whis-
pen that seemed to pierce my marrow.
said nothing, for my heart told me-
what had happened, but Diaz asked, Dead
why, what has Killed hims''
.tDe Garcia! I saw him go,' replied
Otomie. Then she tossed her arms high,
and without another sound fell backward
to the earth
In that moment think that my heart
bcoke-at least know nothing has had
the power tomove me greatly since, though
this memory moves me day by day and
hour by hour, till die and go to seek my
son.
.4Say, Bernal Diaz,,'' cried, with q
hoarse laugh, Ibid lie to you concerning
this eomrade Of vours?'
Then, spinging over Otomies body, 1
Left the chamber, followed by Bernal Diaz
and the others.
Without the door turned to the left to-
ward the camp had not gone 100 PAGES
when, in the moonlight, I saw small
troop Of horseDen riding toward US. It
was De Garcia and his servants, and they
headed toward the mountain pass on their
road to Mexico 1 was not too late
.'Haltp' cried Bernal Diaz.
ssWho commands me to halt?' cried the
voice of De Garcia
81, your captain, roared Diaz Halt,
you devil, you murderer, OF you shall be
cut down.
saw him start and turn pale.
ssThese are strange manners, senior, he
said '.Of your grace ask''-
At this moment De Garcia caught sight
Of me for the first time, for had broken
from the hold Of Diaz, who clutched my
arm, and was moving toward him. I said
nothing, but there was something in my
face which told him that I knew all and
warned him Of his doom. He looked past
me, but the narrow road was blocked with
men. drew near, but he did not wait for
me- Once be put his hand on the hilt Of
his sword; then suddenly he wheeled his
horse and fed down the street Of Xaca-
De Garcia fed, and I followed after him,
running fast and low, like hound At
first he gained on me, but soon the road
grew rough, and he could not gallop over
it. We were clear Of the town now, or
rather of its ruins, and travelling along a
little path which the Indians used to bring
down snow from Xaca in the hot weather.
Perhaps there are some five miles OF this
path before tho snow line is reached, be-
yond which no Indian dared to set his
foot, for the ground above was holy.
Along this path he went, and I was con-
tent to see it, for knew well that the
traveller cannot leave it, since on either
side lie watercourses and cliffs. Mile after
mile De Garcia followed it, looking now
to the left, now to the right and now
ahead at the great dome Of snow crowned
with fire that lowered above him he
knew what was there-death in the shape
of man!
came on doggedly, saving my strength.
Twas sure that must catch him at last.
it did not matter when.
At length he reached the snow line
where the path ended, and for the first
time he looked back. There was some
900 PAGES behind him. ], his death, was
behind him, and in front Of him shone the