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


for my bearers wcro weary, and came to
the gates Of the beautiful town just as the
rcd rays Of sunset struck upon the snowy
pinnacle of Xaca that towers behind 1t.
turning her cap Of smoke to q sullen red,
lillo that of molten iron.
Tho news of our coming had spread
about, and hero and there knots of people
werc gathered to watch us pass. For the
most part they stood silent, but now and
again some woman whose husband or son
had perished in the siege would hiss curse
at us.
Alas, how diffcrunt was our state this
day to what it had been when not O year
before We entered tho City of Pines for the
first timcl Then we were escorted by On
army 0,00O strong; then musicians had
sung before us, and our path was strewn
with flowers. And now! Now we came
two fugitives from tho vengeance Of the
Teulcs-I borne in n litter by four tired
soldiers, while Otomic, tho princess Of this
people, still clad in her wanton's robe at
which tho women Knocked, for sho had
been able to come by no other, tramped at
nv side, since there was mono to carry her,
and the inhabitants of the place cursed us
as tho authors Of their woes. Nor did we
know If they would stop at words.
At length we crossed tho square beneath
the shadow of the tcocalH and reached the
ancient and sculpturcd palace as the light
failed and the smoke on Xaca, the holy
hill, began to glow with the fire In its
heart. Hero small preparation had been
made to receive us, and that night we sup
ped by the light of a torch upon tortillas,
or meal cakes, and water, like the humblest
in tho land. Then wo crept to our rest,
and as I lay awake because Of the pain Of
my hurts I heard Otomic, who thought
that slept break into low sobbing at my
side. Her proud spirit was humbled at
last, and shc whom 1 had never known
to weep except once, when our frstborn
died in tho siege, wept bitterly.
why do you sorrow thus, Otomief" /
asked at length.
II did not know that you were awake,
husband" sho sobbcd In answer, "or 1
would have checked my grief. Husband,
I sorrow over all that has befallen us and
our people; also, though these are but lit
tie things, because you are brought low
and treated as man Of no estate, and OF
the cold comfort that we find here"
"You have cause, wife," I answered
s'Say, what will those Otomies do with us
kill us or give US up to the Teules"
II do not know; tomorrow we shall
learn. But for my part I will not be SUP,
rendered living.
Nor I, wife, Death is better than the
tender mercics of Cortes and his minister,
Dc Garcia Is there any hope3"
'sYcs, there is hope, beloved. Now the
Otomics are cast down, and they remeIn-
bcr that we led tho flower Of their land to
death. But they arc brave and generous
Mt heart and If I can touch them there all
may yet be we'll. WEAKNESS, pain and
memory mako us weak, who should be
full of courage, having escaped so many
Ills. Sleep, my husband, and leave me to
think. All shall yet go well, for even
misfortune has an end I"
So I slept and woke In the morning
somewhat 'frcshed and with q happier
mind, for who is there that is not bolder
when the light shines on him and he is
removed by rest?
When I opened my eyes, the sun was al
ready high, but Otomie had risen with tho
dawn, and she had not been idle during
those three hours. For ono thing she had
contrivcd to obtain food and raimcnt moro
bcfltting to our rank than the rags In
which we were clothed; also she had
brought together certain men of condition
who were friendly and loyal to herin mis-
fortune, and these sho sent about tho city,
letting it be known that she would address
the people at midday from the steps of the
palace, for, as Otomic well knew, the heart
strings of n crowd arc touched moro easily
than those of cold and ancient counsclors.
'.Will they como to listcnf" asked.
"Havc no fcar,' she answered. Tho
desire to look upon us who have survived
the siege and to know the truth of what
has happened will bring them. Moreover,
some will be there seeking vengeance on
U.s. "
Otomie was right, for as tho morning
drew on toward midday I saw the dwellers
in the City of Pines gathering In thousands
till the space between the steps Of tho
palace and the face of the pyramid was
black with them Now Otomio combed
her curling hair and placed flowers in 1t
and set q cleaning feather cloak about
her shoulders, so that it hung down over
her white robes, and on her breast that
splendid necklace of emeralds, which Qua
tomoc had given to me in tho treasure
chamber and which she had preserved safe
" through all our evil fortune, and gold
on rirdlc about her waist In her hand
also sho took little sccpter of ebony tip
ped with gold that was in the palace, with
other ornaments and cmblems OF rank, and
~ eh tr,ifh
travelling and suffering and grief had dim
med her beauty for awhile, she seemed tho
auccnliest woman that my eyes have seen.
Next she caused mo to be laid upon my
rude litter, and when the hour Of noon
was como she commanded those soldiers
who had borne mo across the mountains
to carry me by her side Thus we issued
from tho wido doorway Of the palace and
took our stand upon the platform at the
head Of tho steps. AS we came great cry
rose from the thousands Of the people, q
fierce cry, like that Of wild beasts howlihg
for their prey Higher and higher 1t rose,
sound to strike terror Into the bravest
heart, and by degrees caught It's purport
kill thomI'' said the CRY. "Give the
liar to the Tcules!''
Otomio stepped forward to the edge OF the
platform, and lifting the ebony soepter she
stood silent, tho sunlight beating on her
lovely face and form. But the multitude
screamed thousand taunts and threats at
us, and still the tumult grew. Once they
rushed toward her, ss though to tear her to
pieces, but fell back at tho last stair, aa q
wavo falls from rock, and once a spear
was thrown that passed between her neck
and shoulder
Now the soldiers who had carried me,
making certain that our death was at
hand, and having no wish to share 1t, SGT
my litter down upon tho stones and slip
ped back into the palace, but all this while
Otomic never so much rs movod-no, not
even when tho spear Kissed past her. She
stood before them stately and scornful, q
very queen among women, and little by
little the majesty of her presence and the
greatness of her courage hushed them to
silence. When there was quiet ut length,
she spoke in Il clear voice that carried far.
Am 1 among my own people Of the
Otomic," she asked bitterly, ''or have we
lost our path and wandered perchance
among some savage Tlascalan tribeS Lis
ten, people Of the Otomic have but one