The National tribune., 1899-04-13
N2AfElSrnando(@prtez
fESg \hA A Story of
" aSA--1V1 The Spanish Conquest of Mexico
SsSssz4sS@SGsV BY r.
A Story of
spanish Conquest Of
BY r. M. BIRD.

prise. For at that instant, FabuenC
grasping his arm with one hand, an
with the other pointing a little to on
side, turned upon him Countenance fu
of alarm. He looked around, and behelC
with amazement, his kinSman, Don Ga
briel, entirely unarmed, except with swor
and bucklcr, mingled with the combat
ants, shouting a feeble war-cry, strikin
family, and, indeed, preserved less by hi
courage than his appearance, from tn
bludgcOns OF the infidels. His grizzl
locks fer he was entirely bare-headed
fell over his hollow and bloodless cheeks
whereon glittered, black and hideous,
1 single Gout OF gore. His face was like th'
face OF the dead: and the savages re
coiled from before him. as if from spiri
rOUsing from NIiCtlan, tie world of gloom
| 10 call them down to his dark dwelling.
In Il moment the neophyte, followed by
| FabuenO, and LazaTo, who answered Il
his call, and Marco, who seemed TO have
been separated by the melee from his
master, was at the side OF Calavar. The
mind Of the knight was wholly gone; anC
he seemed as if, at the point of death
raised from his couch by the clamors o.
| the contest, and urged into it by the in
stinct OF long habit, or by the goadings ol
madness.
He submitted patiently, and without
words, TO the gentle violence OF his kinS-
apartment.
After much search and persuasion, a
surgeon was found and induced to visit
the knight. He dispatched his questions
almost in a word, for he was fighting
Bachelor. and burned with impatience to
return TO the contest. He mingled hastily
"a draft, which he affirmed TO be OF won
drous efficacy in composing dlsordered
minds 10 sleep, gave a few simple direc-
tons, and excusing his haste in the
urgency OF his other occupations, both
military and chirurgical, he Immediately
departed.
''Marcol" said the neophyte, when the
draft was administered, and Don Ga
briei laid on the couch, "thou deservest
the heaviest punishment for leaving thy
master an instant, though, as thou say
est, while fast asleep. Remain by him
now, and be more faithful. AS Tor thee,
Lorenzo" he continued, TO the secretary,
who stood painting at his side, there is
good reason thou shouldst share the task
Of Marco, were it only to rrepoSe thee s; a
little; but more need is it, that thou
suffer thy blood to cool, and reflect, with
shame, that thou hast, this day, can
celled all thy good deeds, by killing a
prostrate and beseeching foe. Remain,
therefore, 10 assist Marco: and by-and-by
| viii come to thee, and declare whether
or not thou shalt draw thy sword again
to-day"
And thus leaving his kinsman to the
care of the two followers, and beckoning
LaZaro along, Don Amador returned 10 the
courtyard and the conflict.
The history of the remainder OF the day
lit was now noon is weary tale OF blood.
Wounds could not check, nor slaughter
subdue, the animosity of the besiegerS;
and the Spaniards, tired even OF killing,
hoped no longer for victory over men who
seemed to fight with no object but to die,
and who rushed up as readily 70 the
mouth of a cannon, whose vent was al
ready blazing under the linstock, as to
the spears that bristled with fatal oppo
sition at the gates.
But night came at last, and with it a
hope 10 end the sufferings that were al
ready intoierable. The hope was vain.
The barbarians, apparently incapable of
fatigue, or perhaps yielding their places
to fresh combatants, continued the as
sault even with increasing vigor and bold.
ness. They rushed against the court
wall with heavy beams,-rude battering-
rams.-with which they thought to shake