The National tribune., 1899-05-04
NATIONAL TRIBUNE: WASHINGTON c. THURSDAY 1s9a

with the kings daughters, make good cu
retreat this nc;nem,' !
"By Santiago."e cricd Cortez, quickly
'ths is n soldiers thought, and honoret
shalt thou be for r8ncdiving it. What no
Sandoyal, my frirnd!r get the troops il
readiness. Prepare thy litters for the sicl
and wounded have all ready at mo
ment's warning. Tin the meanwhile. / viii
Scour the weSternt3 3 FeotS, q nj If all prom
| Use well, will return to conduct the re
treat in person" ?
The officers, greatlyGencouraged at tht
prospect of so speedy release from thei
sufferings, followed the General from the
apartment. Iheih elation was not shared
by Don AmadoI de, Leste. He rejoiced
| for his kinsman's sake, that he was
about to bear him from the din and pri.
vatien of a besieged citadel; but he re
membered that the Moorish boy must he
| left behind to perish; and it seemed to
him, in addition, that certain mystic ties,
the result OF a days adventure, which
began to bind his thoughts to the pagan
city, were, by the retreat. to be severed al
once, and forever.
AS Don Amador de Leste was stepping
from the palace door into the courty ard to
accompany the cavaliers to the cause
way, his arm was caught by the magician,
who, looking into his face with exceeding
great solemnity, SAID:
"Ride not thou with the cavaliers to-
day, noble gentleman. Thou art un-
lucky"
A faint smile lit the countenance of tho
youth. twas soon followed by sigh.
"Th;s is, indeed, truth, which no
magic could make more manifest than
has the history of much of my life. l am
unfortunate; yet not in affairs of war
heinz now, as YOU see, almost the only
man in this garrison who is not, in part,
should not ride with my friendsf"
because thou wilt bring them trouble,
and thvself misery cannot say, senor,"
added Botello, with grave earneStness,
chat thou didst absolutely save my lie,
when thou broughteSt me succor in the
street: seeing that this is under the In
f,uerce of q destiny, well known to me,
which man cannot alter 1t was not pos
sible those savages could slay me. New
crthclcss, nv gratitude is as strong, Tor
tI,y good will was as great. / promised
to read thee thy fortune; but IN the
troubles which beSet me, could not per-
feet thy horoscope. All have learned IS,
that heavy storm hangs over t.Se' anu anu
that, if thou art not discreet, thy last
hour is nigh, and will be miserable. The
verv night of thy good and noble service,
| dreamed that we were surrounded ny al
the assembled MexiCanS, making with
them contract OF peace; to whlch they
were about swearing, when they lad
their ewes upon thee, and straightway
were incensed, at the sight. as al the call
of a trumpet, to attack us. Thou know
est, that it was thy rash attack on tho
accursed prophecies, which brought the
llnaves upon us! Thrice was this VISION
to me; twice has it been con-
at the temple, and, but
moment since, on the roof. Hadst thou
not stood before the king with thy shield,
the rage of the McxicanS would not nave
DESTROYED himl Therefore, go not out,
now: for he that brings mischief, twice, to
his friends, will, the third time, be IN
volved in their ruin"
The neophyte starcd at Botello, who
these fantastic adlurations
with the most solemn emphasis. HIS
heart was heavy, or their folly Wouic
have amused him.
"Be not alarmed, ,Botello," he snid.
good humoredly,J will be very discreet.
Ny conscience absolves me OF all agency |
in the kings hurts; and if did, indeed,
draw on the attack at the pyramid, as
am by no means certain, only put
match to the cannon. which, otherwise,
might have been aimed. at us more fatally. |
promise thee to be rash no moreno,
not even though j SHOULD again behold
he marvellous prophecies, who, as Mon
.ezuma told us, has risen from his pagan
hell"
The enchanter would have remon
strated further; but, at this moment, the
gave signal that the cavaliers
we're departing, and Don Amador stayed
neither to argue nor CONSOLE. ..,-
fTn Ip ron iinneI