The National tribune., 1899-06-29

VI Of IhE bRohIN DEAN.
-.Is there one here, who. if refuse this
most mad counsel, will say do it from
fear" demanded the General, with voice
do, do for the good of heaven, the King,
and yourselves. If suffer you to return,
then will we perish, Spain lose an appanage
worthy the firstborn of an Emperor, and,
in that aecursed csty. God be daily grieved
by the sight of idoiatry and sacrifice. By
remaining where We are, we shall save
many lives; and this land of milk and
honey, of corn and of gold. though now
torn from rs for our sins, will be yet the
guerdon OF our resolution. / aver and
protest, that if we return to the hell that is
on the lake, we shall be lost, to man. Is
there one, then, whe says l remain here
from fear?'
Notwithstanding the deep grief and
agitation which gave their tone to the
words of the General, there was mingled
withal touch of such sternness, as for
bade even the boldest to reply. Great,
therefore, was the surprise of all, when a
hollow and broken voice murmured. in
answer, from the causeway:
There is one,-there are an hundred
there have been (but now they are not
a thousand men, who say that, this night,
CorteZ hath proven craven, deserter of
his friends, a traitor to his King, betrayer
of his God, and, therefore, a vilIainr
AS these words were uttered, there stag
gered up the bank, on which the party
rested, "a figure, seemingly of cavalier. but
his armor so rent and demolished. as. i'm
many places, to leave his body naked.
His helmet was gone, and his locks, drip
ping with water and blood, fell over his
breast, leaving their crimson stains on the
white mantle muffiing the body of some
slighter figure, which he bore in his arms.
Il forgive thee, De morlaT cried the Cen
eral, rushing forwards, and then recoiling,
as Don Francisco deposited the burden at
his feet, and, removing the cloth reeking
with water as with gore, disclosed to the
view OF all, gently touched by the raw of
that wasted and melancholy moon, the
countenance of the dead princess. "Who
hath struck the daughter of MonteZ,Ima?-
who hath done this deed?7
He who hath smitten the hearts of a
thousand Christians, by leading them into
peril, and deSerting them in their needi,
said the cavalier, with a tranquility that
struck all with terror, for it was unnatural;
''he, who commanded me to fling, while
living. this child of a murdered King into
the lake, or upon the spears of Tlascalans,
and then get me back to the foe, that he
might himself fly in safetyw
Thou art mad. Francisco and thou
doest me foul injusticei" said Don Hernando
hurriedly. 81 fled not: nor did bid thee do
aught but entrust this hapless maiden to
some strong band of allies, thou being thy
self on foot. and, therefore, incompetent to
protect her"
you called me craven, toor' said the
cavalier, with hoarse laugh, raising his
voice aloud. Thou liest,-I am Drawer
than thou; for my body is covered with
wounds-from the crown To the sole, there
is no part but is mangled;-and yet thou
hast not a limb but is untouched! You call
me craven! God smite you with punish
ment, for you are all cravens, knaves. and
murderers together! You wait on the
banks, while We are dying, and you call us
cravens! God will do us right. God will
avenge us! God will hear our prayers!
and so God curse you all, and keep your
bones for the maws of infidels.'
Thus speaking, and concluding with the
voice of a mailman, the young cavalier cast
look on the dead Princess, and, uttering a
horrid scream, ran back, distracted, to the
causeway.
In the name OF God, on!" exclaimed an
hundred voices: I'VE are not cravens and
murderers, and Spaniards shall not fall
unaidedr'
Don fernando himself, stung by the
sarcasms of the unhappy and weli-beloved
cavalier, was the first to clap spurs to his
horse; and again the thunder of cavalry,
and the quick tread of footmen moving in
order, were heard on the dixie of Tacuba.