Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1894-10-10
told our tale, biddino; Sd some Of them: 90 for.

for my bearers were weary, and came 10
the gates of the beautiful town just as the
red rays Of sunset struck upon the snowy
pinnacle of Xaca that towers behind 1t.
turning her cap of smoke to a sullen red,
like that Of molten iron.
The news Of our coming had spread
about, and here and there knots Of people
were 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 different was our state this
day to what it had been when not year
before we entered the City of Pines for the
first timel Then we wero escorted by an
army 10000 strong; then musicians had
sung before us, and our path was strewn
with flowers. And now! Now we came
two fugitives from the vengeance Of the
Teules-I borne in litter by four tired
soldiers, while Otomie, tho princess Of this
people, still clad in her wanton's robe, at
which the women Knocked, for she had
been able to come by no other, tramped at
my side, since there was none to carry her,
and the inhabitants of the place cursed us
as the authors of their woes. Nor did we
know If they would stop at words.
At length we crossed the square beneath
the shadow Of the teocalli and reached the
ancient and sculptured palace as the light
failed and the smoke on Xaca, the holy
hill began to glow with the fire in it's
heart. Here small preparation had been,
made to receive us, and that night we sup
ped by the light of torch upon tortillas,
or meal cakes, and water, like the humblest
in the land Then we crept to our REQ,
and as lay awake because of the pain Of
my hurts I heard Otomie, who thought
that slept, break into low sobt;ng at my
side. Her proud spirit was humbled at
last, and she, whom I had never known
to weep except once when our frstborn
died in the siege, wept bitterly.
"Why do you sorrow thus, Otomief" ]
asked at length
''I did not know that you were awake,
husband" she sobbed in answer, "or !
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," answered
"Say, what will these Otomies do with us
kill us or give us up to the Teulesi
"I do not know; tomorrow we shall
learn. But for my part will not be sur
rendered living"
"Nor I, wife Death Is better than the
tender mercics Of Cortes and his minister,
De Garcia. Is there any hope'"
"Yes, there is hope, beloved. Now the
Otomies are cast down, and they remem-
Der that we led tho flower Of their land to
death. But they are brave and generous
ut heart, and If can touch them there all
may yet be well. WEAKNESS, pain and
memory make 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"
So I slept and woke in the morning
somewhat 'freshed and with happier
mind, for who is there that is not bolder
when the light shines on him and he Is
renewed by rest?
When I opened my eyes, the sun was al
ready high, but Otomie had risen with the
dawn, and she had not been idle during
those three hours. For one thing she had
contrived to obtain food and raiment more
beftting to our rank than the rags In
which we wero clothed; also she had
brought together certain men of condition
who werc friendly and loyal to herin mis-
fortune, and these she sent about the city,
letting it be known that she would address
the people ut midday from the steps of the
palace, for, as Otomie well knew, the heart
strings of O crowd are touched more easily
than those Of cold and ancient counselors.
Twill thcy come to listen'" asked.
"Have no fear," she answered. 1.-The
desire to look upon us who have survived
the siege and to know tho truth Of what
has happened will bring them. Moreover,
some will be there seeking vengeance ON
u.s."
Otomie was right, for as the morning
drew on toward midday I saw the dwelers
in the City Of Pines gathering in thousands
| till the space between the steps Of the
palace and the face Of the pyramid was
black with them Now Otomie combed
her curling hair and placed flowers in 1t
and set cleaning feather cloak about
her shoulders, so that it hung down over
her white robes, and on her breast that
splendid necklace Of enleralds, which Qua
tomoc had given to me In the treasure
chamber and which she had preserved safe
| " through all our evil fortune, and gold
on girdle about her waist. In her hand
also sho took little scepter of ebony tip
ped with gold that was In the palace, with
other ornaments and emblems Of rank, and
thus attired, though she was worn with
travelling and suffering and grief had dim
| por ha ad
queenliest woman that my eyes have seen.
Next she caused me to be laid upon my
rude litter, and when the hour Of noon
was come she commanded those soldiers
who had borne me across the mountains
to carry mo by her side. Thus we issued
from the wide doorway Of the palace and
took our stand upon the platform ct the
head of the steps. AS we came great cry
rose from the thousands Of the people, g
fierce cry, like that of wild beasts bowling
for their prey. Higher and higher 1t rose,
o sound to strike terror Into the bravest
heart, and by degrees caught .tspurport.
"Kill themp' said the ory. "Give the
Liar to the Teules!'
Otomie stepped forward to the edge OF the
platform, and lifting the ebony soepter she
stood silent, the 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, as though to tear her to
pieces, but fell back at tho last stair, "a q
wave falls from rock, and onoe 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, set
my litter down upon the stones and slip
ped back into the palace, but all this while
Otomio never so much rs moved-no, not
even when the spear Kissed past her, She
stood before them stately and scornful, q
very queen among women, and little by
littlo the majesty of her presence and the
greatness of her courage hushed them to
silence. When there was quiet at length,
she spoke in clear voice that carried far.
"Am I among my own people Of the
Otomio," she asked bitterly, ''or have we
lost our path and wandered perchance
among some savage Tlascalan tribef Lis
ten, people of the Otomic have but one
voice, and none can reason with multi.