Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1894-08-15

4 messenger. painting and Sotled aotth
travel, dTStUed.
self before the majesty Of the emperor he
drew painted scroll from his robe and
handed it to an attendant noble. So de-
sirous was Montezuma to know its con-
tents that, contrary to all custom, he
snatched the roll from the hands Of the
counselor, and unrolling 1t he began to
read the picture writing by the baleful
light of the blazing sky and temple Pres
emily, as he watched and he read, Monte
yuma groaned aloud, and casting down
the writing he covered his face with his
hands. AS it chanced, 1t fell near to where
stood, and saw painted over 1t rude
pictures of ships Of the Spanish rig and OF
men in the Spanish armor. Then I un-
derstood why Montezuma groaned- The
Spaniards had. landed on his shoresl
Now some Of his counselors approached
him to console him, but he thrust them
aside, saying:
LET me mourn-the doom that was
foretold has fallen upon the children OF
Anahuac. The children Of Quetzal muster
on our shores and slay my people. Let me-
mourn, say"
At that moment another messenger came
from the palace, having grief written on
his face
Speak" said Montezuma.
10 king, forgive the tongue that must
tell such tidings, Your royal sister Pa
pantzin was seized with terror at yonder
dreadful sight, and he pointed to the
heavens. "She lies dying in the palace'
bo oo,>H fhnf 10
sister, whom he loved, was dying, he said
nothing, but covering his face with his
royal mantle he passed slowly back to the
palace.
And all the while the crimson light
cleaned and sparkled in the east like some
monstrous and unnatural dawn, while the
temple Of Quetzal burned fercely In tho
oity beneath.
Now turned to the Princess Otomie
who had stood by my side throughout,
overcome with wonder and trembling.
ibid not say that this company was
aooursed, princess Of the Otomiet"
"You said 1t, Teule," she answered,
"and 1t Is aooursed."
Then We went into the palace, and even
In this hour Of fear after me came the
minBGrol9, rs Det0rO.
CHAPTER XIV.
TIE ARmIEG OF PAPANTzIH.
On tho morrow Papantzin died and wos
buried with great pomp that same evening
in the burial ground ut Chapoltepec, by
the aide Of the emperor's royal ancestors.
But, as will be seen, she was not content
with their company. On that day also
learned that to be god is not all pleasure,
since 1t was expected of me that must
master various arts and chiefly the horrid
art Of music, to which never had any de-
sire. Still my own wishes were not allow
cd to weigh In the matter for there came
to me tutors, aged men who might have
found better employment, to instruct me
in the use of the lute and on this instru-
ment must learn to strum. Others there
were also who taught me letters, poetry
and art as they were understood among
the Aztecs, and all this knowledge I wis
glad of.
AS to this matter of my sacrifice was
at first desperate. But reflection told me
that had already passed many dangers
and como out unscathcd, and therefore 1t
was possible that I might escape this one
also. At least death was still long way
off, and for tho present was god. Sol
determined that whether / died or lived,
while lived would live like u god and
take such pleasures as calne to my hand.
and I acted on this resolve
During the days that followed the death
Of Papantzin tho palace and tho city also
were plunged in ferment The minds Of
men were shaken strangely because Of the
rumors that filled the air. Every night
the fiery portent blazad in the east, every
day new wonder or omen was reported,
and with it some wild tale Of the doings
Of the Spaniards, who by most were held
to be white gods, the children Of Quetzal,
come back to take the land which their
forefathers ruled.
But Of all that were troubled none were
in such bad case as the emperor himself,
who during these weeks scarcely ate, drank
or slept, so heavy were his fears upon him.
In this trait he sent messengers to his an
ciont rival, that wise and severe man, No
"a, the king of the allied state of Tezcuco,
begging That he would visit him. This
king came, an old man with fierce and
cleaning eye, and was witness to tho in
tervicw that followed, for In my quality
of god had full liberty Of tho palace and
even to be present at tho councils OF the
emperor and his mobiles. When the tive
monarohs had feasted together: Monteza-