The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1898-12-29

if reading his thoughts, "you marvel to
see this army which we left sleeping at
the temple, arrived at the river before US
but you forget Zempoala lies only league
from the river"
Let us descend and cross to the other
side, said Amador impatiently. Il see
the very spot where sits the knave Mar
vaez on his horse: and if the valiant Cor
teZ have it in intention, as do not doubt,
10 give him battle, should sharply regret
TO watch the conflict from this hillside"
II told Narvaez himself" said the ma
gieian, with a sort of triumph, che should
not Join battle with Cortez to-day: and he
snail not, When the time comes, Don
Amador may join in the combat, ii he will.
he content, senior. we cannot stir from
TINS hill without being observed and
captured or slain. The thunder roarS, the
bolt giitters in the heaven; the storm that
| levels the tall ceibas will open US a path
presently, even through that angry army"
Almost while Botello spoke, and before
the cavalier could add words to the disin-
ciInatIon with which he regarded so I'M
timely a delay, there burst such thun-
deEboit over his head as made FOgoSo, in
| common with every other horse in the
party, cover to the earth as if stricken by
It's violence. This was Immediately fol
by a succession of separate explosions
and OF multisonouS volleys, less reSenl-
bling the furious roar of the ordnance OF
great army than OF the artillery of vol
canoes; and it became Immediately
necessary for each man to dismount, and
allay, as he could, the frantic terrors of
his charger.
In tn midst of this sublime prelude
the rushing OF a mighty wind was added
to the orchester OF the elements; and, in
an instant, the face of day, the black
vapors above and the vari d valley below
were hidden in a cloud Of dust, sand, and
/
plains and the forest; and in an instant,
also, the army of Narvaez was snatched
| from the eyes of the cavalier
Presently, also, came another sound
| heard even above the peal of the thunder
and the rush of the wind: the roar OF a
great rain, booming along like a moving
cataract, was mingled with the harsh
music OF nature; and Don Amador looked
anxiously around for some place of shell
ter. Happily, though no cavern W fcomed
them into its gloomy security, there was
spot hard by, where certain tall and
| massive rocks lay so damned and wedged
| together, as TO present most Of the char
acteriStics of a chamber, except that there
was wanting the fourth side, as we'll as
the roof, unless indeed the OutStretched
branches of the great trees that grew
among these frac~.entS, might have been
considered suitable canopy spring
bubbled up from among these mossy
ruins, giving nOurishment to a thick
growth OF brambles and weeds, which
added their own tangled covert 10 the
stouter shelter OF the rocks and trunks.
Into this nook the party, guided by Bo-
| tello, TO whom it seemed not unfamiliar.
penetrated forthwith; and here they found
themselves, in a great measure, sheltered
| from the rain. Here, also, taking adj
vantage OF a period of inactivity, and at
| the instigation of Don Amador who per
| ceived with solicitude the visage of the
secretary covered not only with langor,
but flushed with fatigue and fever, the
enchanter set about relieving the dis
| tresseS OF the youth. He removed the
bandage and garment, examined the
wound, bathed the inflamed member in
the cool waters of the fountain; and
having thus commenced proceedings with
so reasonable a preliminary, he drew a
little silver vessel from his wallet con-
tanning the unguent blessed, as he had
before said, "of the fat of a pagan's heart.
The magician commanded Fabueno to
repeat a paternCster as slowly and de-
voutIy as possible for none OF BotelIo's
combinations were conducted without the
appearance of deep devotionl; and mum
bling himself another, or perhaps repeat
ing some superstitious invocation, he APP
piled the ointment, previously spread over
green leaves, to the wound; and when it
was again bound up, the secretary de-
ciared its anguish was much mitigated
as well as his whole body greatly re-
freShed.
ITO be cOntinled)