The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-08-15
other Into friendship which ,assed TIL
his death and indeedendnres Il my heart

CGnee l0tO IiIcuUSlt4p WHICH ttSteu I'LL
his death and indeedendnres ID my heart
to this hour.
One day we were delayed by the banks
Of swollen river, and in pastime went
out to hunt for deer. When we had hunt
ed awhile and killed three deer, it chanced
that Guatemoc perceived buck standing
ON q hillock, and we set about to stalk 1t,
five Of Us in all But the buck was in the
open, and the trees and bush ceased full
100 yards away from where he stood, so
that there was no way BIZ which Mc might
draw near to him Then Guatemoc began
to neck me, saying: Now, Teule, they
tell tales Of your archery, and this deer is
thrice as far as we Aztecs can make sure
Of killing. Let us see your skill.
81 viii try" answered, though the
shot is long"
So we drew beneath the cover of ceiba
tree, Of which the lowest branches droop-
ed to within Is feet Of the ground, and
having set an arrow on the string Of the
great bow that had fashioned after the
shape Of those we use in England aimed
and drew it. Straight sped the arrow and
struck the buck fair, passing through its
heart, and low murmur Of wonderment
went up from those who saw the feat.
Then, just as we prepared to 80 to the
fallen deer, male puma, which is moth
ing but cat, though so times as big, that
had been watching the buck from above,
dropped down from the boughs of the eel
ba tree full on to the shoulders OF the
Prince Guatemoc, telling him to the
ground, where ne lay face downward, while
~. !, I>;% 1nro Of
Indeed had it not been for his golden c1-
rass and helm Gcatemoc would never
have lived to be emperor of Anahuac, and
perhaps it might have been better so
Now, when they saw the puma snari-
ing and tearing at the person OF their
prince, though brave men enough, the
three mobiles who were with US were seized
with sudden panic and ran, thinking him
dead. But did not run, though should
have been glad enough to do so. At my
side hung one Of the Ipdian weapons that
serve them instead of swords, club Of
wood set On both sides with spikes Of OBJ
sidian, like the teeth in the bill Of asword-
fish. Snatching it from its loop, gave
the puma battle, striking q blow upon his
head that rolled him over and caused the
blood to pour. In a moment he was up
and at me roaring with rage. Whirl1ng
the wooden sword with both hands, /
smote him in midair, the blow passing be-
tween his opened paws and catching him
fuu on the snout and head. So hard was
this stroke that my weapon was shattered
Stin It did not stop the puma In sec
ond was cast to the earth with a grea.
shock, and the brute was On me, tearing
and biting at my chest and neck. 1t was
well for me at that moment that Wore 8
garment Of quilted cotton; otherwise I
must have Men ripped open, and even
with this covering was sadly torn, and
to this day bear the marks Of the beasts
claws upon my body. But now when I
seemed to belost the great blow that 1 had
struck took effect on him, for one Of the
points Of glass had pierced to his brain.
He lifted his head; his claws contracted
themselves in my flesh; then he howled
like dog in pain and fell dead upon my
body. So lay upon the ground unable to
stir, for was much hurt, until my COM
panions, having taken heart, came back
and pulled the puma off me. By this time
Guatemoc, who saw it all, but till now
was unable to move from lack Of breath.
had found his feet again.
ssTeule, y he gasped, ''you are brave
man indeed, and if you live I swear that I
viii always stand your friend to the death,
as you have stood minc.
Thus he spoke to me, but to the others
he said nothing, casting no reprcaches at
them
Then tainted away.