Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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"^laT?TToF'flw's?uIs" of all whc shared in this night's work," I ans "Now, mother, let mc hence, and rr never meet again!" So soon as I could clear my mind what of all that I had seen and he that dreadful vault I hogan to consic circumstances in which I found myi First, however, I inquired secret diligently as to tho truth of tho'stat that De Garcia had sailed for tho I and to bo brief, having tho clew, I d ercd that two days after tho date i duel I had fought with him a mi ?werlng to Dc Garcia's description, tl bearing a di fi?rent name, had st from Seville in a corak bound for tl nary islands, which carak was the await tho arrival of tho fleet sailii Hispaniola Indeed from various cii stances I had little doubt that thc was nono other than Do Garcia hh which, although I had not though before, was not strange, seeing that as now, tho Indies were tho refuge o tho desperadoes and villains who cou longer livo in Spain. Thither then I up my mind to follow him, consoling eclf a little by thc thought that at 1< ?hould seo new and wonderful coun though how new and wonderful they I did not guess. Now, it remained for mo to disp< tho wealth which had come to me su( ly. While I was wondering how I < placo it in safety till my return 11 by ohanco that tho Adventuress of '. mouth, thc samo ship in which I had to Spain a year before, was again 1? port of Cadiz, and I bethought mo thi best thing I could do with the gold other articles of value would bo to them to England, there to bo held in for ma So, having dispatched a mes to my friend, tho captain of tho Advei ess, that I had freight of valuo for hi mado preparations to depart from Se with such speed as I might, and to end I 6old my benefactor's house, many of the effects, at a price much b their worth. Tho most of the books plate, together with some other articl kept, and packing them in cases I ca them to bo transported down the riv< Cadiz, to tho care of those same agen whom I had received letters from the ' mouth merchants. This being done, I followed thither self, taking thc bulk of my fortune -\ mo in gold, which I hid artfully in merous packages. I carno to Cadiz in safety and witl loss of any of my goods or gold, and ing boat proceeded cu board tho Ad' tuross, where I found her captain, w] name was Bell, in good health and 1 glad to sec me. What pleased rac m however, was that ho had three letters me, ono from my father, one from my ter Mary nod one from my betrothed, ] Bozard, thc only letter I ever received fi her. Thc contents of these writings v not altogether pleasing, however, fe learned from them that my father wa broken health and almost bedridden, . indeed, though I did not know it many years after, he died in Ditchingh church upon the ver>- day I received letter. It was short and sad, and in il said he sorrowed much that he had alloT mo to go upon my mission, since he sho 6ee me no more and could only commi me to the caro of tho Almighty and p him for my safe return. As for Lily's '. ter, which, hearing that the Adventui was to sail for Cadiz, she had found mei to dispatch secretly, though it was : short, it was sad also, and told me thal soon as my back was turned on home : brother Geoffrey had asked her in m riago from her father, and that they pusl the matter strongly, so that her life y mado a misery to her, for my brother wi laid her ovcrywherc, and her father did ] ocaso to revilo her as an obstinate jr who would fling away her fortune for 1 sake of a penniless wanderer. "But," it went on, "be assured, swe heart, that unless they marry mo by foi as they have threatened to do, I will budgo from my promise. And, Thom ?hould I bc thus wedded against my wi I shall not bo a wife for long, for thougl am strong I believe that I shall dit; 6hamo and sorrow. It is hard that I shoi bo thus tormented, and for one reas only, that you are not rich. Still I hu good hope that things may better thei selves, for I sec that my brother Wilfred much inclined toward your sister Mai and though lie also urges this marriage i me today she is a friend to both of us ta may bo in tho way to make terms wi him before she accepts his 6uit." Th< the writing ended with many tender WOP and prayers for my safo return. Now, all this news gavo mc much eau for thought. Meanwhile I did this: Going to a not ry, I caused him to prepare a deed which translated into English. By this deed vested all my fortune, except 200 posi that I kept for my own use, in three pe sons, to hold tho same on my behalf till Carno to claim lt. These three persoi were my old master, Dr. Grimstono < Bungay, whom I knew for the honeste of men; my sister, Mary Wingfield, and m betrothed, Lily Bozard. I directed tho] by this deed, which for greater validity signed upon the ship and caused to be wi nessed by Captain Bell and two othc Englishmen, to deal with the property a? cording to their discretion, investing nc less than half of it in the purchase of land and putting the rest out to interest, whic interest, with tho rent of the lands, was t bo paid to tho said Lily Bozard for he own uso for so long as she remained un married. Also with thc deed I executed a will b; which I devised tho most of my propert; to Liiy Bozard, should she bo unmarried at tho dat? of my death, and tho r?sidu to my 6istcr Marj*. In thc event of th marriago or death of Lily, then tho whol Was to pass to Marj- and her heirs. These two documents being signed an? sealed, I delivered them, together with al lay treasure and other goods, into tho keep ing of Captain Bell, charging him solemn ly to hand thens and my possessions to Dr Grimstono of Bungay, by whom he wouh bo liberally rewarded. This ho promisee to do, though not until ho had urged mi almost with tears to accompany them my self. With the gold and deeds I sent severa letters, to my father, my sistor, my broth er, Dr. Grimstono, Squire Bozard and last ly to Lily herself. In these letters I gave an account of my life and fortunes since ] had como to Spain, for I gathered thal others which I had sent had never reached England, and told (hem of my r?solution to follow Garcia to the ends of the earth. "Others," I wroto to Lily, "may think mo a madman tims to postpone or per chance to lose a happiness which I desire above anything on earth, but you who un derstand my heart will not blame ma however much you may grieve for my dc oision. I could never bo happy evem at your sido if I abandoned my search now. First must come the toil and then the rest; first tho sorrow ami then the joy. Do not fear for me. I feel that I shall live to re turn again, anel if I elo not return at least I am able to provide for you In such fash ion that you need never be married against your will. "While De Garcia lives I must follow him." Anel hero I may stato that those letters and everything else that I sont carno safely to Yarmouth. And now Lily wept-first for joy be cause of my good fortune and then for sor row because I bael not como with my treas ure, and when lie; bael seen all and heard tho deeds rcael by virtue of which Lily was a rich woman whether I live d or died tho squire, her father, swore aloud and said that he had always thought well of meand ?isscd his daughter, wishing lier joy of her luck. In abort, all were pleased except my brother, who left the house without a word and straightway took to evil coursers. But all talked loudly of my madness because I Would not abandon tho cb^sj?c?jny enemy. though Squiro Bozard took comfort from j the thought that whether I lived or died tho money was still his daughter's. Only Lily spoke up for me, saying: "Thomas has sworn an oath, and ho does well to keep it, for his honor is at stake. Now I go to wait until he comes to moin this world or tho next. " CHAPTER X. THE LAND OF MONTEZUMA. As it chanced, a large Spanish car ak named Las Clnquo Llagas, or Tho Fivo Wounds, was about to sail for Hispaniola, and having obtained a license to trade I took passage in hor under my assumed name of D'Aila, passing myself off as a merchant. To further this deception I purchased goods to the valuo of 105 pesos, and of suoh nature as I was informed wore most readily salable in the Indies, which merchandise I shipped with mc. The ves sel was full of Spanish adventurers, most ly ruffians of varied career and strange his tory, but none the less good companions enough when not in drink. By this timo I could speak Castillan so perfectly and was so Spanish in appearance, that it was not difficult for mo to pass myself off as ono of their nation, and this I did, in venting a feigned tale of my parontago and of tho reasons that lcd mo to tempt the seas. For the rest, now, as ever, I kept my own counsel, and notwithstanding my reserve, for I would not minglo in their orgies, I soon became well liked by my comrades, chiefly becauso of my skill in ministering to their sicknesses. Of our voyage to the Indies much could bo written after thc manner of sea tales, most of all of Dc Garcia, whom I encoun tered on a Spanish 6laveship, where I found refuge after the loss of tho oarak, near the port of Santo Domingo. But I hasten now to write of my fortunes, both evil and good, and of my trials on account of Do Garcia in tho land of Montezuma, and of her whoso story I have long delay ed, Montezuma's daughter. From tho power of Do Garcia, for ho was an officer in that abominable slaveship, I escaped by leaping into tho sen. In a drifting barrel I floated away when the murderous slaves thought the 6harks were making food of me, and from death by starving I was spared through a fish that I snatched from tho talons of a gull and devoured raw. Thc hard wood and iron bands of my tub shielded me from tho teeth of a ravenous shurk, and in it I float ed through the breakers; to the shores of a lowly lying land and into tho mouth of a great river. At length, when the barrel drifted in not more than four feet of water, I slid down from it, and wading to tho bank cast myself at length there to rest and thank God, who thus far had preserved mc miraculously. Then I staggered to my feet and walked along the bank of thc riv er till I came to a pool of rainwater, which on tho tasting proved to be sweet and good. I drank, weeping for joy at tho taste of thc water, drank till I could drink no more, and let those who have stood in such a plight remember what water was to them, for no words of mino can tell it. After I had drunk and washed tho brine from my face and body and been thus re freshed I cast myself down to sleep in the shado of a bush bearing whit? flowers, for I was utterly outworn. When I opened my eyes again, it was night,'and doubtless I should have slept on through many hours had it not been for a dreadful itch and pain that took mo in every part till at length I sprang up and cursed in my agony. At first I was at a loss to know what occasioned this torment till I perceived that the air was alive with gnatlike insects which made a singing noise, and then settling on my flesh sucked blood and spat poison into tho wound at one and the same time. These dreadful insects the Spaniards name mosquitoes. Nor were they the only flies, for hundreds of other creatures no bigger than a pin's head had fastened onto mo like bulldogs to a baited bear, boring their heads into tho flesh, whero in the end they cause festers. They aro named garrapatas by the Span ish, and I take them tobe thu young of the tick. Others there wore also, too numerous to mention, and of every shape and size, though they had this in common-all bit and all were venomous. Before the morning these plagues had driven mo almost to madness, for In no way could I obtain relief from them. To ward dawn I went and lay in the water, thinking to lessen my sufferings, but be fore I had been there 10 minutes I saw a huge crocodilo rise up from the mud be side mo- I sprang away to thc bank hor ribly afraid, for never boforo had I beheld so monstrous and evil looking a brute, to fall again into the clutches of the crea tures, winged and crawling, that were waiting for me there by myriads. But enough of these damnable iusectsi At length the morning broke and found me'in a sorry plight, for my fa.-e was swol len to the slzo of a pumpkin by t V venom of the mosquitoes, and the rest of my buiy was in little better case. Moreover., I could not keep myself still because of the itch ing, but must run and jump like a mad I man. And where was I to runto through this huge swamp, in which I could 6oe no I shelter or sign of man? I could not guess, so since I must keep moving I followed the bank of the river, as I walked disturb ing many crocodiles and loathsome snakes. Now, I knew that I could not live long in such suffering and determined to strug gle forward till I fell down insensible and diat h put an end to my torments. For an hour or moro I went on thus till I came to a place that was clear of bush and reeds. Across this I skipped and danced, striking with my swollen hands at the gnats which buzzed about my head. Now tho end was not far off, for I was ex hausted and near to falling, when sudden ly I came upon a party of men, brown in color and clothed with white garments, who had been fishing in the river. By them on tho water were several canoes in which were loads of merchandise, and they were now engaged in eating. So soon as these men caught sight of mc they uttered exclamations in an unknown tongue, and seizing weapons that lay by them, bows and arrows and wooden clubs set on their sido with spikes of flinty glass, they made toward me as though to kill mo. Now I lifted up my honda praying for mercy, and seeing that I was unarmed and helpless the men laid down their anns and addressed mo. I shook my head to show that I could not understand and pointed first to the sea and then to my swollen features. They nodded, and going to ono of tho canoes a man brought from it a paste of a brown color and aromatic smell. Then by signs he directed mc to remove such garments as remained on me, thc fashion of which seemed to puzzle them greatly. This being done, they proceeded to anoint my body with thc paste, the touch of which gave mo a most blessed re lief from my intolerable itching and burn ing and, moreover, rendered my flesh dis tasteful to thc insects, for after that thc} plagued me little. When I was anointed, they offered mc food-fried fish and cakes of meal, together with a most delicious hot drink covered with a brown and foaming froth that I learned to know afterward as chocolate. When I had finished eating, having talked awhile together in low tones, they mo tioned me to enter one of tho canoes, giv ing mo mats to lie on. I obeyed, and three other men came with me, for the canoe was large. One of these, a very grave man with a gent?o face atid manner, whom I took to bo the chief of thc party, Silt down opposite to mc, tho other two pluciug themselves in tho bow and stern of the boot, which they drove along by means of paddles. Then wo started, followed by three other canoes, and before we had gone a mile utter weariness overpowered mo, and I fell asleep. I awoko much refreshed, having slept many hours, for now tho sun was setting, and was astonished to And tho gravo look mg man, my companion m Une ca keeping watch over my sleep and wan tho gnats from me with a leafy bra His kindness seemed ta show that I in no danger of ill treatment, and my i on that point being set at rest I bega wonder as to what strange land I had c and who its peoplo might be. Soon, 1 ever, I gave over, having nothing to b on, and observed tho scenery instead. ] wo were paddling up a smaller river t tho ono on tho banks of which I had 1 cast away and wero no longer in the m of marshes. On either sido of us was open lane rather land that would have been c had it not been for the great trees, la: than the largest oak, which grew upoi some of them of surpassing beauty, these trees climbed creepers that hung ropes even from tho topmost boughs, among them were many strange and ? geous flowering plants that seemed to cl to tho bark as moss clings to a wall, their branches also sat harsh voiced b of brilliant colors and apes that bar and chattered at us as wo went. Just as tho sun set over all this stra new Bceno the canoes carno to a land placo built of timber, and wo dlsembf ed. Now it grew dark suddenly, and I could discover was that I was being along a good road. Presently wo reac a gate, which, from the barking of d and tho numbers of peoplo who thron about it, I judged to bo tho entranco 1 town, and passing it we advanced dc a long street with houses on cither si At tho doorway of tho last houso my c( panton halted, and taking mo by tho hi led mo into a long, low room lit with lar of earthc aware. Hero some women cn forward and kissed him, while oth< whom I took to be servants, saluted h by touching tho floor with ono hand. So however, all eyes were turned on me, ? many eager questions Wura asked of I chief, of which I could only guess the p port. When all had gazed their fill, supper \ served, a rich meal of many strange met and of thia I was invited to partake, wh I did, seated on a mat and eating of l dishes that wore placed upon tho grou by tho women. Among these I noti< ono girl who far surpassed all the otb in grace, though nono wero unpleasing tho eye. Sho was dark indeed, but 1 features were regular and her eyes fli Hor figuro was tall and straight, and 1 sweotness of her face added to tho cha; of her beauty. I mention this girl here two reasons-first, because she saved i once from sacrifico and once from tortu and, secondly, because she was none ot! than that woman who afterward bocni known as Marina, tlie mistress of Cort without whose aid ho had never conqu ed Mexico. But at this time she did r guess that it was her destiny to bring 1 country of Anahuac beneath tho cruel yo of tho Spaniard. From tho moment nf my entry I si that Marina, as I will call her, for her 1 dian name is too long to bo written, to pity on my forlorn state and did what 1 in her power to protect mo from vulg curiosity and to minister to my wants, was she who brought me water to wash i and a clean robe of linen to replace ii foul and tattered garments, and a clo; fashioned of bright feathers for my shoi ders. When supper was donc, a mat was givi mc to sleep on In a little room apart, ai here I lay down, thinking that, though might In; lost forever to my own world, least I had f?llen among a people wi wero gentle and kindly, und, moreover, I saw from many tokens, no savages. Ol thing, however, disturbed mc-I disco ered that, though I was well treated, ainu was a prisoner, for a mau armed witli copper spear slept across thc doorway my little room. Before I lay down I look? through thc wooden bars which served ; a protection to tho window place and sa that the house 6tood upon thc border of large open space, in the midst of which great pyramid towered a hundred feet ( moro into tho air. On tho top of th pyramid was a building of stone which took to be a temple, and rightly, in froi of which a Are burned. Marveling whi the purposo of this great work might b and in honor of what faith lt was erecter I went to sleep. Qn tho morrow I was to learn. Here it may be convenient for me 1 state, what I did not discover till af te. ward, that I was in the city of Tabas? tho capital of one of tho southern proi inccs of Anahuac, which is situated at dis tan co of some hundreds of miles froi the central city of Tenoctitlan, or Mexice Tho river whore I had been cast away wa the Rio do Tabasco, where Cortes lande In the following year, and my host, c rather my captor, was the cazlque, or chiel of Tabasco, the samo man who subsequent ly presented Marina to Cortes. Thus it como about that, with the cs ception of a certain Aguilar, who, wit somo companions, was wrecked on th coast of Yucatan six years before, I wu tho first white man whoever dwelt arnon, tho Indians. This Aguilar was rcscuci by Cortes, though his companions wer all sacrificed to Huitzel, tho horrible wa fod of the country. But tho name of th paniards was already known to tho In dlans, who looked on them with supers ti tious fear, for in the year previous to m; being cast away tho hidalgo Hernando: do Cordova had visited the coast of Yuca tan and fought several battles with the na tives, and earlier in tho same year of m] arrival Juan do Grigalva hod como to thii very river of Tabasco. Thus it came abou; that I was set down as ono of this strang? new nation of Toulcs, as the Indians nani et tho Spaniards, and therefore as an enem] for whoso blood the gods were thirsting. I awoke at dawn, much refreshed with sleep, and having washed and clothed my self in the linen robes that wero provided for mo I carno into tho large room, when food was given mo. Scarcely had I finish ed my meal when my captor, tho cazique, entered, accompanied by two men whose appearance struck terror to my heart. In countenance they wero fierce and horrible They wore black robes embroidered with mystic characters in red, and their long and tangled hair was matted together with some strange substance. These men, whom all present, including the chief, or cazique, seemed to look on with the utmost rever ence, glared at mo with a fierce glee that modo my blood run cold. Ono of them in deed toro open my white robe and placed his filthy hand upon my heart, which beat quickly enough, counting its throbs aloud while tho other nodded at his words. Aft erward I learned that ho was saying that I was very strong. Glancing round to find tho interpreta tion of this act upon tho faces of those aliout mc, my eyes cauglit those of thc girl Marina, and there was that in them which left mo in little doubt. Horror and pity were written there, and I knew that some dreadful death overshadowed me. Be fore I could do any til lng, before I could oven think, I wu? seized by thc priests, or pabas, as the Indians nome them, and dragged from the room, all the household following us except Marina and the ca zique. Nov I found myself in a great square or market place bordered by many fino houses of stone and lime, and somo of mud, which was filling rapidly with a vast number of people, mon, women and chil dren, who all stared at mo as I went to ward thc pyramid on thc top of which the fire burned. At tho foot of this pyramid I was led into a little chamber hollowed out in its thickness, and hero my dress was torn from mo by more prioste, leaving mo naked except for a eloth about my loins and a chaplet of bright flowers which was set upon my head. In this chamber were three other men-Indians-who, from the horror on their face?, I judgeel to bo also doomed to death. Presently a drum bogan to beat high aliove us, and wo were taken from thc chamber and placed in a procession of many priests, I being tho first among thc victims. Then the priests set up a chant, and we began the ascent of a pyramid, fol lowing a road that wound round and round its bulk till it ended on a platform ut its summit, which may huvc measured 40 paces in tho square. Hence thc view e>f tho surrounding country was very fine, but in that hour I scarcely noticed it, hav ing no caro for prospecta, however pleas ing. ' On the farther sido of tho platform were two wooden towers 50 feet or so in height. These were the temples of tho gods-Huitzel, god of war, and Quotzal, god of tho air-whoso hideous effigies, carved in stone, grinned at us through the open doorways. In tho chambers of these temples stood small altars, and on tho al tars wore large dishes of gold, containing tho hearts of those who h^a been sacriflcod on ufe yestt?ruay. These ciioinbors, ?noro ovcr, were intrusted with every sort of filth. In front of thc temples stood the al tar whereon tho fire burned eternally, and before it was a hog backed block of black marble of the size of an inn drinking ta ble, and a great carven stone shaped like a wheel, measuring some 10 feet across, with a copper ring in its center. All these tilings I remembered after ward, though at the time I scarcely seemed to 6ee them, for hardly were we arrived at tho platform when I was seized and drag ged to the wheel shaped stone. Here a hide girdle was put round my waist and secured to tho ring by a rope long enough to enable mo to run to the edge of the stone and no farther. Then a flint pointed spear was given to mo and spears were given also to the two captives who accom panied rac, and it was made clear to me by signs that I must fight with them, it being their part to leap upon tho stone and mino to defend it. Now I thought that if I could kill these two poor creatures per haps I myself should bo allowed to go free, and so to savo my lifo I prepared to take theirs if I could. Prcsontly the head priest gavo a signal commanding the two men to attack me, but they were so lost in fear that thoy did not oven stir. Then the priests began to flog them with leather girdles till at length, crying out with pain, they ran at mc. One reached tho stone and leaped upon it a littlo before tho other, and I stuck the spear through his arm. Instantly he dropped his weapon and fled, and tho other man fled also, for there was no fight in them, nor would any flogging bring them to face me again. \ Seeing that they could not make them brave, the priests determined to have done with thom. Amid a great noise of m UK ic and chanting, ho whom I had smitten was seized and dragged to tho hog backed block of marble, which in truth was o stone of sacrifice. On this he was cast down, breast upward, and held so by five priests, two gripping his hands, two his legs and one his head. Then, having donned a scarlet cloak, tho head priest, the same who hod felt my heart, uttered some kind of prayer, and raising a curved knife of tho flintlike glass or itztli struck open the poor wretch's breast at a single blow and mode tho an cient offering to tho sun. As ho did this all tho multitude in the placo below, in full viow of whom this bloody game was played, prostrated them Struck oven thc poor lorctch's breast and made thc ancient offering to the sun, selves, remaining on their knees till tho offering had been thrown into tho golden censer before thc statue of the god Huit zcL Thereon thc horrible priests, casting themselves on the body, carried it with shouts to the edge of the pyramid,, or tco calli, and rolled it down tho steep sides. At tho foot of thc slopo it was lifted and borne away by certain men who were wait ing, for what purpose I did not know at thut time. Scarcely was the first victim dead when the second was seized and treated in a Uko I fashion, tho multitude prostrating them selves as before. And then lost of all came my turn. I felt myself seized and my senses swam, nor did I recover them till I found myself lying on the accursed stone, the priests dragging at my limbs and head, my breast strained upward till the skin was stretched as tight-as ihat of a drum, while over me stood the human devil in his red mantle, tho glass knife in his hand. Never shall I forget his wicked face, maddened with tho lust for blood, or tho glare in his eyes as ho tossed back his matted locks. ' But he did not strike at once; he gloated over me, pricking me with the point of his knife. It seemed to mo that I lay there for years while the paba aimed and pointed with the knife, but at last, through a mist that gathered beforo my oyes, I saw it flash upward. Then, when I thought that my hour had come, a hand caught his arm in midair and held it, and I heard a voice whispering. What was said did not please the priest, for suddenly ho howled aloud and made a dash toward me to kill me, but again his arm was caught before the knife fell. Then he withdrew into tho templo of tho god Quetzal, and for a long while I lay upon the stone, suffering tho agonies of a hun dred deaths, for I believed that it was de termined to torturo mo before I died, and that my slaughter had been staid for this purpose. At length I heard footsteps and shut my eyes, for I could bear the sight of that dreadful knifo no longer. But, behold! no knlfo fell. Suddenly my hands were loosed, and I was lifted to my feet, on which I never hoped to stand again. Then I was borno to tho edge of tho teocalii, for I could not walk, and there my would be murdorer, tho priest, having flirt shouted some words to tho spectators below that caused them to murmur like a forest when the wind stirs lt, clasped me in his blood stained arms and kissed mo on the fore head. Now it was for the first time that I noticed my captor, the cazlque, standing at my sido, gravo, courteous and smiling. As ho had smiled when he handed me to the pabas, so he smiled when he took me back from them. Then, having been cleansed and clothed, I was led to the sanctuary of thc god Quetzal and stood faco to face with thc hideous image there, staring at tho golden censer that was to have received my heart while tho priests uttered prayers. Thence I was supported down tho winding road of the pyramid till I carno to its foot, where my captor, tho cazlque, took rae by tho hand and led mo through the pcoplo who, it seemed, now regarded me with some strange ven eration. Thc first person that I saw whon wo reached thc house was Marina, who looked nt mo and murmured somo soft words that I could not understand. Then I was suffered to go to my chamber, and there I passed thc rest of thc day prostrated by all that I had undergone. Truly I had como to a land of devils I And now I will toll how it was that I came to bc saved from the knifo. Marina, having taken some liking to me, pitied my 6od fate, and being very quick witted she found a way to rescue mc, for when I had been lcd off to sacrifico she spoke to the cazique, her lord bringing it to his mind that by common report Montezuma, thc emperor of Anahuac, was disturbed os to tho Teules, or Spaniards, and desired much to seo one. Now, sho said, I was evidently a Teule, and Montezuma would bc angered Indeed if I wore sacrificed in a faroff town instead of being sent to him ' to sacrifice if he saw flt. To this thc ca zlque answered that thc words wcro wisc, but that she should havo spoken them be- 1 fore, for now tho priest? had got hold of me, and it was hopeless to save mo from their grip. "Nay," answered Marina, "therels this to bo 6oi(L Quetzal, tho god to whom this Teule is to bo offered, wns a white i man. [Quetzal, or moru properly Qnetcul- 1 conti, was tho divinity who is fabled to have taught tho natives of Anahuac all " tho useful arts, including those of govern ment and policy. Ile was whits skinned and dark haired. Finally lie sailed from ? tho shores of Anahuac for thc fabulous country of Tlapallan in a bark of serpents' 1 skins. But before he sailed he promised that he would return again with a numcr- , oua progeny. This promise was remem bered by tho Aztecs, and it was large ly on account of lt that the Spaniards wero enabled to conquer the country, for they were supposed to Ix) his descendants. Perhaps Quetzalcoatl wns a Norseman! Vldo sagas of Eric tho Bed and of Thor Ann Karlscfnc.] And it may well hap pen that this man is one of his children. Will It please thc god that his child should bo offered to him? At tho least, if tho godjB_not anger?d, JSiontezanra will oe.r taimyDo wrotrr ana wreaic a vengeance on you and tho priests. " Now, when the cazlque hcaid thia he saw that Marina spoke truth, and hurry ing up the teocalU he caught the Xnife as it was in the act of falling upon me. At first the head priest was angered and call ed out that this was sacrilege, and when the cazique had told him his mind he un derstood that he would do wisely not to run a risk of the wrath of Montezuma. So I was loosed and lcd into th? sanctua ry, and when I como out the paba an nounced to the people that the god had de clared mc to bc one of his children, and it was for this reason that then and. there after they treated me with reverence. BE CONTINUED.] POSITIONS GUARANTEED ender reasonable conditions. Our FREE 96 pajje catalogne will explain why we can afford it, Dranghon's Practical Business College, NASHVILLE, TENN, C Write for caul opie. 5 Book-keeping, Shorthand, Penmanship and Tele graphy, we spend more money in the interest of our Employment Department than half the Business Colleges taite in as tuition. 4 weeks by our method teaching book-keeping is equal to 12 weeks by tbs old plan. 11 teachers, 600 students past year, no vacation; enter any time. CHXAP BOARD. We have recently prepared books especially adapted to HOME STUDY. Sent on 60 days trial. Write us and explain ..your wants." N. B.-We pay SS? cash for all va cancies as book-keopers, stenographers, teachers, clerks, etc., reported to ns, provided we fill sam* - -: Wise fien profit by the experience of others. There is an object lesson in the following letter for those who hesitate to in vest in life insurance. ? GKE EN VILLE, 8. C., Aug. 23, 1893. Mr. W. J. RODDEY, Rock Hill, & C. : Dear Slr ?-Y our favor of the 21st, en closing new policy has been received, and I will remit premium on receipt of settlement of old policy. I ara very well pleased with the results of my other policy, and must thank yon for your kind attention and favors shown me. Yours truly, N. C. POE. This is but one letter of thousands that can be shown, all expressing the same satis faction. Write and get an explanation of the Tontine Policy of the Equitable Life, a policy that insures you against misfortune; protects you in old age; provides for your family at your death. W. J. RODDEY, Manager, / Tor the Carolinas, Rock Hill, 5. C. Don't forget that Ramsey & Bland deal in bard ware and farm implements. They defy competi tion. Their store is calculated to please all tastes. HUMPHREYS' Dr. Humphreys' Specifics aro scientifically and carefully prepared Remedies, used for years In private practice and for over thirty years by the people with entire success. 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For It Cures RHEUMATISM, NE URALGIA, TOOTHACHE, GRIP, AND COLD IN ALL ITS FORMS, CUTS, SORES, BRUISES, SPRAINS, LAMENESS. ?It always relieves when properly applied. SOLD BY AL2I2 DRUGGISTS. PRICE 25 CENTS. Prepared by T. X. L. CO. C. M. DEMPSEY, Manager 230 Main St., Columbia, S. C. Attention, CANDIDAT We are thoroughly and completely equipped for the execution of Job Work of all kinds, and we are mak ing special rates on Drop us a Postal, giving, the number of Tickets you want, and the office for which you are a candidate, and we will have your tickets ready for you when you come to town. Address all orders to THE ADVERTISER, Edgefield, S. 0. Important Announcement TO THE READERS OF THE ADVERTISER, We have reade arrangements with the publishers of r mm To supply the consecutive weekly parts of this ?reat serial at Oily IQ CENTS uni 0i6 Conj Per Mr! The publisher's price is 25 cents, but we are determined to give the readers of the ADVERTISER the same advantages that are offered by the large city dailies, and accordingly, at considerable sacrifice on our part, we have arranged to supply "OUR OWN COUNTRY," on the above terms. The First Coupon fill ie FiisM Next Weet Lock om for it.! Now pave your coupons and dimes, for we have just what you want: "OUR OWN COUNTRY," represented in more than 500 Splendid and Woiirfiil Piotofiapb anfl Bescript?ons. The grandest and most wonderful thing you ever saw. Published in 20 consecutive numbers for only IO cents each. First number ready next week. Every family in America wants and needs "OUR OWN COUN TRY," and it is a splendid present to send to your friends across the ocean. It is the Story of Our Country and Its People? It is America Photographed, Reflected, Pictured, and Described from Alaska to Florida and from Main to Texas. It is not all Scenery, nor all Houses and Streets, but it is America as you would see it Reflected in a Mirror. Everything in America and America in Everything. History, Geography, Scenic Wonders, Famous Places, Glorious Land scapes; Everything About America, American Scenery, American Homes and Home Life, Celebrated Historical Localities, the Indians and their Surroundings, Wild Western Scenes, Character Sketches Photographed, Our Great Battle fields and their Monuments, Homes of Celebrated People, Places where Great Events have Oc curred in Our Country's His?oiy ; Won derful^ and - Gieriously Be&uti? ful Beyond all Conception. i Ote Fort le It! 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A sample of these elegant colored views will be enclosed with each copy of Portfolio No L Be sure to get this Number. We spend hundreds aud thousands of dollars in educating our children, but all the books that were ever written about American peo ple do not reflect and reproduce them like these magnificent Portfolios if "OUR OWN COUNTRY." We can not all afford to travel and see the wonders and beauties of our native land, but for a few cents you can possess a perfect photographic reproduction of Every Part of Ameriea, . iccompanied by a continuous and splendidly written description, spiced with adventures, anecdotes, legends, stories of heroism, great listorical events, and Nature's most marvelous wonders. \ "Our own Eoui)tro."--Coupoi) 1)0.5. SEDGEFIELD ADVERTISERS S H ^ Clip ?ut this coupon, enclose it in an envelope with io CEXTS IX ?, SILVER (no stamps), and address it to . i I THE NATIONAL ART CO., Secnrity Building, st. Louis.. 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