The National tribune., 1899-06-15

lar wafer 10 11e utlcKS OF Mexico.
This trivial question gave at once, n new
color to his thoughts, for he remembered
what millions of wild fowl hrooded every
night on the lakes; Ind. almost ashamed
that he should have yielded a moment to
the suggestions-of fear, he turned. once
more. TO watch tpe progress of the army.
The center division consisted of but an
hundred Christian footmen, and half a
score cavaliers; but 2I00O Tlascalans were
added to it, and nr9ass commanded by Cor
tez in person; who, tsaving ridden across
the bridge, as has, been said, TO prove its
strength, now waited for the coming of his
party, beyond the breach. Along with
this division, were conducted the prisoners,
and the kings spoil,-the latter being
carried on the backs of wounded steeds,
unfit for other service, as well as on the
shoulders of Tlameme. The prisoners,
comprising all the family of Montezuma,
whom evil fortune had thrown into the
hands of Don fernando, were envroned by
the hereditary foes of their race but pro-
tected from any secret stroke of malice, by
three or four cavaliers who rode with them
Among these few horsemen, the neo-
phyte perceived one, across whose saddle
bow there sat what seemed a female, en-
| veloped in thick mantles. In this cava-
lier, he thought, by the murmur OF the
| voice with which he addressed his muffIed
| companion, that he detected his friend, the
senior De Morla.
rs it thou, Francisco, my brother?' he
! whispered, inclining towards the cavalier;
| land hast thou Bonita thus far under thy
protectioD?
| 81 thank heaven, yes!" replied De Morla.
"But what doest thou on foot, and so far
removed from the van? Has Fogoso cast
thee again? prythee, walk thou by me a
little"
"Art thou there too, Lorenzo?r said the
novice, perceiving the secretary riding at
the heels Of the young cavalier of Cuenza,
and burthened in like manner with the
freight of affection. Guard thy princess
well, and have great care of the bridge, and
the rough edge of the dixie; for thy horse
manship is not yet SO perfect as De Morla's,
nor can thy charger at all compare with the
chestnut gelding:. Ride on with care, and
God be thy speed1
The center OF the army was, at last, over
| the bridge. The neophyte cast his eve to
| the black mass of the rear-guard, which
contained the greater part of the troops,
| both Christian and allied, commanded by
VelasqueZ de Leon and the Tonatiuh; the
latter of whom, TO show his affection for the
island of which he had been, as he said, a
king, and to prove his contempt for his late
subjects, chose to ride the very last man in
the army; while De Leon conducted the
front Of the division. The latter, stern, de-
cided. and self-wiIed in all cases deferred,
>
in order that the center might be well cleared
of the bridge; but more, perhaps, from a
natural love of tyranny, to torture with
delay the spirits of his impatient followers.
In this moment of quiet, the sounds,
which Don Amador had forgotten, were
repeated with more distinctness than at
first; but still they were of SO vague a char
acter, that he could not be certain they were
produced by any cause more important
than the diving and fiapping of water
fowl. Nevertheless, feeling a little un-
iessiness, he claSped the hand of Jacinto
tighter t5d in hrds his nd stFOde with han MIN
he had crossed, and Vas about to give his
whole attention h the mysterious sounds;
when, suddenly, he was amazed and
startled by The sbecter,o of a man, rising up
as from the LAKE, and springing on the
causeway close BY his side.
He drew his sIprd, demanding quickly,
but with perturbah9n3
"Who and WHIT taE thou. that comest
thus from tho depths of the waters?'
'TetragrammatSn4 fipeace!-Dost thou
~ Hear Hear what. .sir sconiurer: Hast thou
been listening lifewtse TO the wild fowl?
wild fowl" muttered Botello. Such
wild fowl as eat carrion, and flap the water
like crecodiIes.-aHaIIr dost thounot hear?
Lay thine ear upeabtfiei .causeway at the
waters edge-But thou hast not time.
Get thee TO thy horse, and delay not; and if.
cavalier, bid him draw and be ready.-'
said, that some should escape, but not ALL
God he with iheel follow quickly, and
sheath not thy sword" ;uia
Surely, this time, thou art mad, Bo-
tellol Here are no foes. IS -
But the remonstrance of the cavalier was
cut short by the instant flight of the ma
gician; and ere the words were out of his
mouth, a horseman, crossing the bridge,
and riding up to him, said sterniy:
"Who art. thou, Sir Knave and Sir Wit
less! that babblest thus aloud, in time of
peril, contrary To-
81 am thy very good friend, senor De
Leon" said the novice, abruptly; "and,
waving any difficulty which might spring
from the heat Of thy words, if duly con-
sidered, / think fit to assure thee, that ]
have but Just parted from the necromancer,
Botello, by whom am advised to bid thee,
as well rs all other discreet officers whom j
may see, TO draw sword, and remain in
readiness for foe; there being certain
sounds on the water, which, in his opinion,
are ominous of evil. For myself, i bid g God
guard thee, meaning, in person, to join the
van, as soon as possible"
The cavaliers parted,-De Leon riding
back to his party, without uttering word;
and Don Amador, with the page, stepping
| forwards SO fieetly, as soon to lind himself
among the TlascalanS Of the center.
Through these he made his way, ever and
anon casting his eye to the lake, and look
| ing for the tokens of foe, but without per-
| ceiving anything at all unusual He
| gained the midst of this band of allies,
| reached the side Of his friend, and laid his
hand on DE Morla'S arm. A low wailing
| voice came from the folds Of the garments,
which vailed the countenance of Minna-
potZln; and some strong agitation shook
| the frame of his friend
Think notof loyenow, my brother!" cried
the neophyte, hurriedly; "but be warned
that thou art in danger, and Minnapotzin
with thee. 1t is thought, that enemies are
| at hand"
Having thus spoken, and without wait
| ing for an answer, Don Amador, still urg-
ing Jacinto along, endeavored to make his
way through the dense bodies of Tlasca-
lans, which separated him from Don Her
nando. He reached their front, he
stepped upon the little space left be-
| tween them and the General, and placed
| his eyes upon CorteZ. But before he had
yet spoken, it seemed as if the whole mov-
| ing mass OF the army had been converted
into marble on the causeWay; for instantly
| as II with one consent, tie train came to a
dead halt land cry, loW, but breathed from
the hearts of men struck with mortal dread
rose from the vas-to the rear, in one uni
versal groan.
The cavalier tuhiea where all eyes were
turned, and beheld a sudden pyramid of
fire, like one of the many gushes of flame
he had already se9n in this volcanic land.
save that the blaze w}-S steadier, shoot up,
| from vast hight i'm j.the air over fbo 5;s