The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1895-01-02

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that slept, break into low sObbing at my
side. Her proud spirit was humbled at
last, and She whom had never known
to weep except once, when our firstborn
died in the siege, wept bitterly
''Why do you sorrow thus, Otomle?" L
asked at length.
IT did not know that you were awake,
husband" she sobbed in answers ''Or ]
would have checked my grief. Husband,
/ 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, l answered.
''Say, what will these Otomies do with us
kill us or give us up to the TeulesT'
IT do not know; tomorrow we shall
learn. But for my part I will not be sur
rendered living"
'Nor T, wife Death is better than the
tender mercies of Cortes and his minister,
De Garcia. Is there any hope?"
Eyes, there is hope beloved Now the
Otolnies are cast down, and they remem-
Der that we led the flower of their land to
death. But they are brave and generous
at heart, and if can touch them there all
may yet be we'll. 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 refreshed AMI with happier
mind, for who is there that is not holder
when the light shines on him and he is
renewed by rest?
When 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
befitting 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 her in mis-
fortune, and these she sent about the city,
letting it be known that she would address
the people at midday from the steps of the
palace, for, as Otomie we'll knew, the heart
strings of a crowd are touched more easily
than those of cold and ancient counselors.
''Will they come to listen?'' asked
''Have no fear" she answered. 1.-The
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 the morning
drew on toward midday saw the jewellers
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 it
and set a 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
temoc had given to me in the treasure
chamber and which she had preserved safe
ly through all our evil fortune, and gold
en- girdle about her waist. In her hand
also she 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
med her beauty for awhile she seemed the
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 me by her side. Thus we issued
from the wide doorway of the palace and
took our stand upon the platform at the
head of the steps. AS we came a great cry
rose from the thousands of the people,
fierce cry, like that of wild beasts bowling
for their prey. Higher and higher it rose,
sound to strike terror into the braveSt
heart, and by degrees 1 caught it's purport
xiii them!' said the cry. Give the