The National tribune., 1899-01-26

dor, for he loved the boy well. Once,
when he was in a laxative mood, and
DESTROYS to have Jacinto at his side
he was so displeased at his evident wish
to escape, as to vent his displeasure in a
reprimand. The boy ran to his side, kiss
ed his hand, and raised his eyes. sui
| fused with tears, to the countenance o.
his preserver The cavalier never re-
buked him again.
On two or three occasions, Also greatly
to his surprise, he caught the stripping
weeping; which was the more wonderful
since he seemed not only reconciled, bu
greatly pleased with his state of easy
| servitude. On all such occasions he ex'
cused himself with such persuasive sim
pllclty as not only to remove all suS-
picions of discomfort: but greatly to in
crease the affection of the neophyte. He
was favorite as well with the men-at-
arms as with their masters; and Don
AmadOr often reflected with wonder how
quickly he had wound himself into the
hearts of all.
Jacinto stole still deeper into his favor;
and at the end OF days march Don
Amador was oftener found sitting at the
door of some Indian cabin, or under the
shade of it's flower garden, listening with
Calavar to the lays of the young musician,
than sharing the martial sports OF his com
panions, or even superintendirg the war
like exercises of his ward, Fabueno.
To those invaders who had not yet wit
messed with their own eyes the peculiar
wonders of the interior, the approach to
Tlascala was fullof surprise and interest.
AS the sun sank, the four hills on which
lay the republican city, and the pyra-
midS and towers that crowned them, sent
their long shadows over the plain to the
feet of the cavaliers; and in the gloom
they beheld a vast multitude, the armies
of the four tribes which composed the
nation, under their several banners, gilt
tering with feathers, and marching in
regular divisions to the sound of wild
music, as well as a host of women and
children waving knots of flowers, and
uttering cries of welcome advancing to
do them honor.
Don Amador forgot the valiant appear
ance of the warriors of Chinantla while
gazing on the superior splendor of the
armed Tlascalans. These warlilSe people,
in imitation of their Christian confeder-
ates, had learned to divide their confused
throngs into squadrons and companies,
ranked under separate leaders, and now
approached in what seemed well-Ordered
columns. Bunches of red and white
feathers waved among their long locks,
and ornamented their wicked shields; the
short tunic OF Mcqueen, coarse, white
cloth OF the maguey, left their muscular
and well-Sculptured limbs free for action;
and as they strobe along. .brandishing
their swords OF obSlGian tho mdaua-
huitl,-a heavy bludgeon, armed on either
SIDE with blades Of volcanic glass;, or
wiiiriing in their sings those missiles Of
hardened copper armed with sharp horns,
which were capable Of piercing the tough
est arnfOr, and ever and anon, mingling
their fierce cries with the savage sound OF
drum and flute, they made show not
more remarkable than glorious.
AT tho head Of each division, under his
peculiar standard tthe image Of some bird
OF prey, or wild beast, very gorgeOusly
decorated, marched each chieftain, with
the great plume of distinction, or penacho,
as it was called, rising full two feet above
his head, and nodding with a more than
barbarous magniticcnce. Thus appareled
and thus displayed, they advanced to the
head Of the Christian army, and dividing
on either side, so as to surround the Span
ish host with a guard Of honor, each in
dividual, from the naked singer to the
feather crowned chief, did no. age to the
Christian General. by touching the earth
with his hand. and then kissing the hum
bled member; while at the same momen,
a number OF priests with black robes, and
hair trailing almost to the ground, waved
certain pots OF incense before him, as il
to a demigod; a mark Of distinction which
they afterwards extended to the cavaliers
that surrounded him.