The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1898-12-08
WASHINGTON ., THURSDAY DECEMBER s. sss-TwEvE PAGES
THE NATI(

shrubs and flowers, and where it hap
Ipened that the inmates were within, Will
torches or fires burning, the blaze, stream
ing through the Waited walls, lium
mated everything around. and disclosed
the figures of the iiabitants moving abou
like shadows in the flame.
Other buildings equally humble in siz'
were constructed OF less remarkable bu
not less romantic materials; and wheit
the moonbeams fell over their eariher
walls and palmy roofs, both were otter
Iconcealed by such a drapcry OF vines ant
lcreeplng flowers, perhaps the cdorlierous
vanilla and the beautiful convolvulus. as
might have satisfied the ~iongings OF q
wood nymph.
As he approached nearer to the center o
the town, these lowly and lovely cottages
were exchanged for fabrics OF stone, many
of them of considerable size, and several
with walls covered with the bright and
lSIlvery plaster which ornamented the
temples. Each of these, the dwellings OF
the Tlatoanl, or, as the Spaniards called
the CaciqueS OF the clty-stOod alone III
It's garden of flowers, with vines trailing
and palm-treeS bending over its roof
commonly III darkness, though some
times the myrtle-taper of a fair Totonac
for such was the name of this provincial
people of the coast or the oily cresset of a
Spanish Captain, who had made his
quarters wherever was a house to his
fancy, might be seen cleaning from be
hind the curtains of cotton stuff, which
were hung at the doors and windows.
These sights had been seen by AmadOr,
Abdalla; but when the M0riSc0 dropped
IsOrrowfully away, he found himself on the
lgreat square of the city, Immediately
fronting the SanctuarieS, and gazing upon
a scene of peculiarly wild and novel char
acter. The center of the square was Oc-
cupied by a broad and indeed a vast
platform of earth, raised to a hight of
eight or 10 feet, assembled from all sides
by half as many StepS-havIng the ap-
pearance of low trUncated pyramid,
serving as a base to the three towers
which crowned it.
Upon its summit or terrace, immedi-
lately in advance of the towers, was
kindled a great fire, the blaze OF which,
besides illuminating the temple itself and
all the buildings which surrounded the
square, fell upon sundry groups OF Indian
tumblers. engaged in feats of activity, as
well as upon a host of cavaliers who sur
veyed them close at hand, and many
throngS of common soldiers and natives
who looked on at a distance from the
square.
Here the detachment was halted; the
burdens OF the Tiameme were deposited
on the earth; the horses were freed from
their packs; and Amador. at the sugges-
ton of Salvatierra, dismounted and ieav-
ing Fogoso to the care of his attendants,
and these again t. the disposition OF the
Captain, ascended the pyramid followed
by the secretary. He was somewhat sur
prised, when this worthy commander
whom he looked for to conduct him to the
General, resuming much of the stately
dignity he had found il inconyenient to
support on the march, made him a low
bow and informed him with much gravity
he would find the commander-in-chief
either on the terrace among bis officers,
or at his headquarters inEthe middle
tower.
The feeling of indignation which for
moment beset him would have been ex-l
pressed had not Salvatierra with another
bow retired and had he not perceived, at
the same moment, the young Fabueno
draw from his girde the letter which was
doubtless to secure him the goodwill OF
NaryaeZ. Checking therefore his anger,
he straightway assembled the platform
Arrived at its summit. he now beheld the
scene which he had imperfectiy witnessed
from below.
The great fire, cracking, and roaring
added the ruddy glare Of volcano to the
paiiid illumination of the nloon; and in
the combined light the operations Of the
symnasts and dancers. the athletes and
uggiers were as visible as If performed in
the glitter Of MONDAY. For a moment
Amador thought. as had been thought by
I'll other Spania-ds, when locking for the
first time on the sports OF these baTbarUus
races, that he had got among group 81
devils. or at least OF deviish magicians
md he crossed himself with an instinct
ve horror, when he beheId, so to speak.
hree piles OF men, each composed oi
hree individuals, haEf-naked, standing
me upon the head or shoulders OF anoshei,