The National tribune., 1899-06-08

command and discretion, which had sc
often excited the wonder OF his patron,
Il viii walk a little before; and if the peo
pie should approach, let my lord take nc
notice, but follow calmly in my steps. az
though he were a great noble, diSdainine
to look upon his interiors. Benot amazed
at what may happen, and especially, dc
not speak word until close by the Span.
iards." t,-
"Dost thou mean," said the cavalier
suddenly struck with the memory Of the
vision, not yet accounted for by the
page,-"dost thou mean to practice any
arts of magic? for if so"--
Il beSesch nay lord not to speak," said
the boy, with a hurried voice; "for IL a
word be heard, neither valor nor magic can
save. us from destruction. BY and by
my isrd shall see the wisdom Of this
counsel; and all that is strange in its con.
sequences shall be explained TO him.
Thus speaking, Jacinto strobe for
wards, and Don Amador, wondering, yet
yielding to his instructions, followed in
silence.
The cannon still roared at the palace
and the shouts OF the infuriated COM
batants were plainly heard in the inter
vals Of the discharges; so that, as the
cavalier had hinted, there could be nc
difficulty in determining their path. New
ertheless, it appeared to him, that ia
cinto walked forwards with the boldness
streets he was treading.
For time, their course lay through a
street entirely deserted; but, by and by,
passing into one of greater magnitude,
they beheld shadswy masses, now of
single figures, now Of groups, dartinp
about, many OF them with lights, as il
flying, some from the scene of combat and
others, like themselves, approaching it.
1t was apparent that this street was one
Of the four great avenues leading to the
square Of Axajacatl; for no sooner had the
two Christians stepped upon it, than the
sounds of conflict came TO them with ten
fold Ioudness; and they could behold,
ever and anon, as the deadly discharges
burst from the artillery, the flames fias-
ing luridly up through the mistS, like the
jets of a distant volcano.
With the consciousness that he now
trod a principal street, Don Amador be-
came aware that he was, Of a certainty,
advancing fun upon the mouth OF, at
least, one piece of ordnance; and. as ia
ciato paused suddenly, as if dismayed at
his peril for at that moment ruddy
fame shot out Of the mist, and a fall
comet peiiowed uoWn the street,, he ap-
preached the boy, and said:
For thy sake, Jacinto,-Gt does not
become me TO say for my own; though I
confess some repugnance TO advance thus
on the cannon Of my friends)-I should
wish thou couldst find some other path,
hot oc NiuCil CA pb,cil W ldhGu as tDlS.
Speak not,-we have no CHOICE" NUT
tered the boy. But, God be thanked!
the bullet that strikes my lord, will first
pass through my own body"
This little expression OF devotion was
pronounced with an earnestness that
touched the heart Of the cavalier; and he
was about to utter his satisfaction, when
gesture OF Jacinto, who Immediately
began 10 resume his pace, warned him
into silence. The usefulness of the eau
ton was soon made manifest; for two or
three Mexicans suddenly brushed by,
though without seeming to notice them
An instant after, there passed several
groups, bearing wounded men in their
arms; and by and by, while every mo-
ment seemed to surround them yet more
with isolated individuals. there came
party III some numbers uttering lamen-
tations, as If over the body of a great
noble. Several of these bore torches in
their hands, wherewith they were enabled
10 descry the pair; and Don Amador's
heart beat quick, as he saw three or four
detach themselves from the group, and
run forwards, as if TO make sure of a prev.
He grasped at his weapon, invoked his
saint and moved quickly up to Jacinto,
to give him what protection he could.
But, at the very moment when he feared
the worst, he was amazed TO behold the
arbarianS come to n dead halt, and, at
the waving of Jacinto's hand, part from
before dim with countenances of rever-
ence and fear The same remarkable
change was observed in those who COM
posed the party bearing the corse, with
the addition Of new marks Of homage; for,
leaving the body IN the hands OF few,