The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1895-01-09


they loved me. Indeed, except for the
strain of their mothers blood, they were
English and not Indian, for I christened
them all and taught them our English
tongue and faith, and their mien and eyes
were more English than Indian, though
their skins were dark. But had no luck
with these dear children of mine any
more than 1 have had with that which
Lily bore me- Two of them died-one
from a fever that all my skill would
not avail to cure, and another by fall
from lofty cedar tree, which he climbed
searching for kites nest Thus OF the
three of them-since I do not speak now
of that infant, my firstbOrn, who persisted
in the siege-there remained to me only
the eldest and best beloved, of whom l
must tell hereafter.
For the rest, jointly with Otomie I was
named cazique of the City Of Pines at
great council that was held after [ had de-
stroyed the Spaniards and their allies, and
as such we had wide though not absolute
power. BY the exercise of this power in
the end I succeeded in abolishing the hOr
rible rites of human sacrifice, though, be-
cause of this, a large number of the Outly-
ing tribes fell away from our rule, and the
enmity of the priests was excited against
me. The last sacrifice, except one only, the
most terrible of them all, of which will
tell afterward, that was ever celebrated on
the teocalli in front of the palace took
place after the defeat of the Spaniards in
the pass.
When I had dwelt three years in the
City of Pines and two sons had been born
to me there, secret messengers arrived
that were to be sent by the friends of Qua
temoc, who had survived the torture and
was still prisoner in the hands of Cortes.
From these messengers we learned that
Cortes was about to start upon an expedi-
ton to the gulf of Honduras across the
country that is now known as Yucatan
taking Guatemoc and other Aztec mobiles
with him, for he feared to leave them be-
hind. We heard also that there was much
murmuring among the conquered tribes of
Anahuac because of the cruelties and ex-
tortions of the Spaniards, and many
thought that the hour had come when
rising against them might be carried to
successful ISSUE
This was the prayer of those who sent
the envoys-that I should raise force of
Otomies and travel with it across the coun-
try to Yucatan, and there with others who
would be gathered wait a favorable op-
portunity to throw myself upon the Span
iards when they were entangled in the
forests and swamps, putting them to the
sword and releasing Guatemoc. Such was
the first purpose of the plot, though it had
many others of which it is useless to speak,
seeing that they came to nothing.
When the message had been delivered,
shook my head sadly for / could see no
hope in such scheme, but the chief of the
messengers rose and led me aside, saying
that he had a word for my ear
''Guatemoc sends these words,' he said
IS I hear that you, my brother, arc ,ttc and
safe with my cousin Otomie in the noun
tains of the Otomie. I, alas linger in the
prisons of the Teules like a crippled eagle
in a cage. My brother, if it is in your
power to help me, do So conjure you, by
the memory of our ancient friendship and
of all that we have suffered together
Then time may still come when I shall
rule again in Anahuac, and you shall sit
at my side. "
I heard, and my heart was stirred for
then, as to this hour, I loved Guatemoc
as brother.
go back" said, land find means to
tell Guatemoc that if can save him [ will
though L have small hopes that way. Still
let him look for me in the forests of Yucca
TAM
Now, when Otomie heard Of this prom
Use of mine she was vexed for she said
that it was foolish and would only end in
my losing my life. Still, having given it,
she held with me that it must be carried
out, and the end of it was that raised 500
men, and with them set out upon nv long