Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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Keep your e columns fo: interesting ? more weeks After that wo wept ourselves to 6lecp in each other's arms, Otomie murmuring "Look, he lies dead!" from time to time, "Oh, my husband, I would that we were asleep and forgotten, we and the babe together. " "Best now," I answered, "for death ls very near to us. " Tho morrow came, and with it a dead lier fray than any that had gone before, and after it moro morrows and more deaths, but still we lived on, for Guatemoc gave us of his food. Thou Cortes sent hiB heralds demanding our surrender, and now thrco-fourths of tho city was a ruin, and three-fourths of its defenders wore dead. The dead were heaped in the houses like bees stifled in a hive, and in tho streets they lay so thick that wo walked upon them. The council was summoned, fierce men, haggard with hunger and with >var, und they considered tho offer of Cortes. "What is your word, Guatemoc?" said their spokesman at last. "Am I Montezuma, that you ask mc? I swore to defend this city to the last," he answered hoarsely, "and, for my part, I will defend it. Better that we should all die than that we should fall living into the hands of the Teules. " "So say wc," they replied. And the war went on. At length there came a day when thc Spaniards made a new attack and gained another portion of thc city. There the people were huddled together like sheep m a pen. Wc strove to defend them, but our arms were weak with famine. They fired Into us with their pieces, mowing us down I like corn before sickle. Then the Tlasca lans were loosed upon us, liko fierce hounds upon a defenseless buck, and on this day it is said that there died 4U.00U people, for none was spared. On tho mor row-lt was thc last day of the siege-carno a fresh embassy from Cortes, asking that Guatemoc should meet him. The answer was the same, for nothing could conquer that noblo spirit. "Tell him, " said Guatemoc, "that I will die where I am, but that I will hold no parley with him. We aro helpless; let Cortes work his pleasuro on us." By now all tho city was destroyed, and we who remained alivo within its bounds were gathered on the causeways and be hind the ruins of walls, men, women and children together. Here they attacked us again. Tho groat drum on tho teocalll beat for tho last time, and for the last time thc wild scream of the Aztec warriors went up to ueaveL. We fought our best. I killed four men that day with my arrows, which Otomie, who was at my side, handed me as I shot. But tho most of us had not tho strength of a child, and what could we do? They carno among us liko seamen among a dock of seals and slaughtered us by hundreds. They drove us into tho canals and trod us to death there till bridges were made of our bodies. How wo escaped I do not know. At length a party of us, among whom was Guatemoc, with his wlfo, Teculchpo, were driven to the shores of the lake, where lay canoes, and into theso wc entered, scarcely knowing what we did, but think ing that we might escape, for now all the city was taken. Tho brigantines saw us and sailed after us with a favoring wind the wind always favored thc foe in that wai?-and, row as wc would, one of them came up with us and began to lire into us. Then Guatemoc stood up and spoke, say ing: "I am Guatemoc. Bring mo to Mulin die. But spare those of my people who re main alive." "Now," I said to Otomie at my side, "my hour has otmc, for the Spaniards will surely hang mo, and lt ls In my mind, wife, that I should do well to kill myself, so that I may be saved from a death of shame." "Nay, husband," oho answered sadly, "aa I said in bygone days, while you live thero ls hope, but the dead come back no more. Fortune may favor UB yet; still, if you think otherwise, I om ready to die." "That I will not suffer, Otomie." "Then you must hold your hand hus band, for now, as always, where you go I follow." "Listen," I whispered. "Do not let lt bo known that you aro my wife. Pass yourself as one of tho ladies of Tecuiohpo, tho queen, your sister. If we aro separat ed, and if by any chunco I escape, I will try to mako my way to the City of Pines. There, among your own people, wo may find ref ugo." "So bo it, beloved," sho answered, smil ing sadly. "But I do not know how tho Otomie will receivo mc, who havo led 20, 000 of their bravest men to a dreadful death." Now wo wero on tho deck of tho brigan tine and must stop talking, and thence, after the Spaniards had quarreled over us for awhile, wo wero taken ashoro and led to the top of a houso which still stood, where Cortes had m ado ready hurriedly to receive his royal prisoner. Surrounded by his escort, the Spanish goneral stood, cap In hand, and by his sido was Marina, grown more lovely than before, whom I now met for the first time since wo had parted in Tabasco. Our eyes met, and she started, thereby showing that sho knew me again, though it muirt) hove been hard for Marina to rec ognlzo her friend Teulo in tho blood stained, starving and tattered wretch who could scarcely find strength to climb the osoteft. But at that time no words passed between us, for all eyes wero bent on tho meeting between Cortes and Guatemoo, between tho conqueror and the conquered. Still proud and defiant, though ho seemed but a living skeleton, Guatemoc Walked straight to whero the Spaniard Stood and spoke, Marina translating his words: "I am Guatemoc, the emperor, Malln che," ho said. "What a man might do to defend his people I have done. Look on tho fruits of my labor, " and he pointed to tho blackened ruins of Tenoctitlan that stretched on every side as far as tho eye could reach. "Now I have como to this pass, for thc gods themselves havo been against me. Deal with mo as you will, but lt will be best that .von kill me now, " and he touched the dagger of Cortes with his hand, "mid thus rid mo swiftly of the misery of life." "Fear not, Guatemoc, *. answered Cor tes. "You have fought like a bravo man, and such I honor. With me you are safe, ?for wc Spaniards love a gallant foe. See, lhere is food,"and he pointed to atable ?prend with such viands as wo had not ooen for many a week. "Eat, you and roux companions together. Xor von must yes on these r a rare and story in a few i heed 16.' "Afterward we wHTtalS"." ' " . i 80 we ate, and heartily, I, for my part, thinking it would be well to die upon a foll stomach, having faced death so long upon an empty one, and while wo de vonzed the meat the Spaniards stood on one 6lde scanning as, not without pity. Presently Teculohpo was brought before Cortes, and with her Otomle and six other ladies. He greeted her graciously, and they were given to eat. ? ow one of the Spaniards who had been watching me whispered something Into the ear of Cor tes, and I saw his face darken. "Say," he said to me In Castillan, "ore you that renegade, that traitor who hos aided these Aztecs against usP" "I am no renegade and no traitor, gen eral, " I answered boldly, for the food and wino hod put new lifo Into mo. "I am an Englishman, and I have fought with the Aztecs because I have good cause to hate you Spaniards." "You 6hall soon have better, traitor!" ho said furiously. "Herc, lead this man away and hang him on the' most of yonder ship." Now I saw that lt was finished and made ready to go to my death, when Ma rina spoke into the ear of Cortes. All she said I could not catch, but I heard tho words "hidden gold." He listened, then hesitated and spoke aloud: ''Do not hang this man today. Let hun be safely guard ed. Tomorrow I will Inquire Into his case." CHAPTER XXV. THOMAS IS DOOMED. At tho words of Cortes two Spaniards came forward, and seizing,me ono by either arm they led me across the roof of the houso toward the stairway. Otomlo had heard also, and though she did not understand the words she read the faco of Cortes and knew well that I was being taken to Imprisonment or death. As I passed her she started forward, a terror shining in her eyes. Fearing that she was about to throw herself upun my breast, and thus reveal herself as my wife and bring my fafcp upon her, I glanced at her warningly, then made pretense to stum ble, and as though with fear and exhaustion I fell at her feet. Tho soldiers who led me laughed brutally, and one of them kicked mc with his heavy boot. But Otomio stooped down and held her hand to me to help mc rise, and as I did so wo spoke low and swiftly. "Farewell, wife," I said. '"Whatever happens, keep silent." ''Farewell," she answered. "If you must die, await me in the gates of death, for I will join you there." "Nay, live on. Time shall bring com fort." "You aro my life, beloved. With you time ends for mo." Now I was on my feet again, and I think that nono noted our whispered words, for all were listening to Cortes, who rated the man that hod kicked mo. "I bado you guard this traitor-not to kick him," he said angrily in Castilian. "Will you put us to open shame before these savages? Do so once moro, and you shall pay for it smartly. Learn a lesson in gentleness from that woman. She ls starv ing, yet she leaves her food to help your prisoner to his feet. Now take him away to camp and see that he comes to no harm, for ho can WI mo much.11 1 Then the soldiers lcd mo away, grum bling as they went, and the last thing I saw was tho despairing face of Otomlo, my wlfo, as sho gazed after rae, faint with tho secret agony of our parting. But when I came to the head of the stairway Guutc moc, who stood near, book my hand and shook it. "Farewell, my brother, " ho said, with a heavy smile. "Tho gamo wo played to gether ls finished, and now lt ls time for us to rest. I thank you for your valor and your aid." "Farewell, Guatemoc," I answered. "You are fallen, but let this comfort you In your fall you have found Immortal fame. " "On, on!" growled tho soldiers, and I went, littlo thinking how Guatemoo and I should meet ugain. They took me to a canoe, and wo were paddled across the lake by Tlasc alans till at length wo came to the Spanish camp. Tho room of tho stone houso where they prisoned me had a window secured by bars of wood, and through these bars I could POO and hear tho revelings of the sol dlen> during tho timo of my confinement. AH day long, when they were not on duty, and most of the night also, they gambled and drank, stoking tens of pesos on a sin gle throw, which the loser must pay out of his share of tho countless treasures of the Aztecs. Little did they care if they won or lost, they were so sure of plunder, but played on tDl drink overpowered thom and they rolled senseless beneath the ta bles, or till they sprang up and danced wildly to and fro, catching at tho sunbeams and screaming, "Gold, gold, goldi" Listening at this window also I gath ered some of the tidings of the camp. I learned that Cortes had come back, bring ing Guatemoo and several of tho princes with him, together with many of tho noble Aztec ladies. Indeed I saw and heard tho soldiers gambling for these women when they were weary of their play for money, a description of each of them being writ ten on a piece of paper. One of these la dles answered well to Otomie, my wife, and sho was put up to auction by the bruto who won her la tho gamblo and sold to a common soldier for a hundred pesos, for theso men never doubted but that tho women and thc gold would be handed over to them. Thus things went for several days, dur ing which I sat and slept in my prison un troubled by any, except thc native woman who waited on mo and brought mo food in plenty. During those days I ate as I have never eaten before or since, and I slept mach, for my sorrows could not rid my body of its appetites and commanding need for food and rest. Indeed I verily believe that at the end of a weak I had In creased in weight by a full half. Also my weariness was conquered at length, and I was strong again. But when I was neither sleeping nor eating I watched ut my window, hoping, though in vain, to catch some sight of Otomie or Guatemoc. If I might not seo my friends, however, KS least I saw my foe, for ono evening De Garcia came and stared at my prison. He could not sec me, but I saw him, and the devilish smile that flickered on his face os he went away like a wolf made pie shiver with a presage of woes to amie. For 10 minutes or moro he stood gazing at my window hungrily, as a cat gazes at a caged Iii rd, and I felt that be was walting for thc door to bo oponed and knew that it would soon bo opened. This happened un thc ove of tho day upon which ? wan pitt to torture. Meanwhile, us itmtt wont on, I noticed that a change came over th? femper of the camp. The soldiers ceased to g/wnbio for untold wealth; they ?von ceased drinking bo excess and from tholr riotous joy, but took to hanging together in knots, discuss ing fiercely I could not learn of what. On tho day when De Garcia came to look at my prison there was a great gathering in the 6quaro oppiwito my prison, to which I faw Cortes rid'-' upon li white horse and richly dressed. Tho mooting Was too far away far mo to overhear wbaf p.ijsspd. but I noticed that several officers addressed Cortes angrily, and that their speeches sqpre loudly cheered hy the soldiers. Ar. last thc great captain answered them at some length, and they broke ap in silence. Next morning, after I had breakfasted, four soldiers came into my prison and or dered me to accompany them. ''Whither:'" I asked" "To tho captain, traitor," their lender answered. "It has come at last," I thought to my self, but I said only: "It is well. Any chango from this hole ls ono for tho better.1 ' "Certainly," ho replied, "and this is your last shift," Then I know that the man believed that I was going to my death. In five minutes I was standing beforo Cortes In his private bouse. At his side was Marina, and around him wero sever?1, of his companions in arms. The great man looked at mo for awhile, then spoko: ''Your name is Wingfield. You are of mixed blood-half English and half Span ish. You wero cast away in tho Tabasco river and taken to Tonoctitlan. There you were doomed to personate tho Aztec god Tezoat and wero rescued by us when we captured the great teocali 1. Subsequently At his side teas Marina. you joined tho Aztecs and took part In the attack and slaughter of the nocho triste. You were afterward the friend and coun selor of Guatemoc and assisted in his de fense of Tenoctltlan. Ls this true, pris oner?" "It is all truq, general," I answered. "Good. You are now our prisoner, and had you a thousand lives you have forfeited them all because of your treachery to your race and blood. Into tho circumstances that led you to commit this horrible trea son I cannot enter. Tho fact remains you havo slain many of thc Spaniards and thou* allies-that is, being in a state of treason, you havo murdered them. Wing field, your life ls forfeit, and I condemn you to die by hanging as a traitor and an apostate. '1 "Then there ls nothing more to be Bald," I answered quietly, though n cold fear frozo my blood. "There is something, " answered Cortes. "Though your crimes have been many, I am ready to give you your life and free dom upon a condition. I am ready to do more-to find you a passage to Europe cn tho first occasion, where you may per chanco escapo the echoes of your infamy if God ls good to you The condition is this: We have reason to believe that you are ac quainted with the hiding place of tho gold of Montezuma, which was unlawfully stolen from us on the night of the nocho triste-nay. wc know that this is so, for you were seen to go with the canoes that were laden with ir. Choose now, apos tate, between a shameful death and thc revealing to us of tho secret of this treas ure. '1 For a moment I wavered. On thc one hand was thc loss of honor, with life and liberty and tho hope of homo; on thc other a dreadful end. Then I remembered my oath and Otomlo, and what she would think of mo, living or dead, if I did this thing, and I waverod no more. "I know nothing of tho treasure, gen eral," I answered coldly. "Send mo to my death." "You mean that you will say nothing of it, traitor. Think again. If you have sworn any oaths, they aro broken by God. Tho empire of tho Aztecs is at au end; their king is my prisoner; their great city is a ruin. The true God has triumphed over these devils by my hand. Their wealth ls my lawful spoil, and I must have it to pay my gallant comrades, who cannot grow rich on desolation. Think again." "I know nothing of this treasure, gen eral" "Yet memory sometimes wakens, trai tor. 1 have said that you shall die If yours should fail you, and so you shall, to bo sure. But death is not always swift. There, ore means. Doubtless you who havo lived tn Spain havo heard of them," and he arched his brows and glared at mo meaningly, "by which a man may die and yet live for many weeks. Now, loath as I am to do it it seemB to mc that, if your memory still sleeps, I must find some such means to rouse lt-before you die." '.I om in your power, general," I an swered. "You call mo traitor again and again. I am no traitor. I am a subject of the king of England-not of the king of Spain. I came hither, following a villain' who has wrought me and mine bitter wrong-ono of your company named De Garcia or Sarceda. To find him and for other reasons I jolnod tho Aztecs. They aro conquered, and I am your prisoner. At thoJeast, deal with me as a bravo mnn deals with a fallon enemy. I know noth ing of tho treasure. Kill mo and mako an end." "As a mon I might wish to do this, Wingfield, but I am more than a man. I am tho hand of tho church herc in Ana huac. You have partaken with tho wor shipers of idols; you have seen your fel low Christians sacrificed and devoured by ? your brute comrades. For this alone you deserve tobe tortured eternally, and doubt less that will be 6o after wc havo dono with you. As for thc hidalgo Don Sar ceda, I know him only as a brave compan ion in arms, and certainly I shall not Hs j ten to talcs told against him by a wander ing apostate. It is, however, unlucky for you," and hero a gleam of light shot across tho face of Cortes, "that there should bo any old feud between you, seo ?ng that lt ls to his charge that I am about to confide you. Now, for the bust time, I say choose. Will you reveal the hiding place of the treasure and go free, or will you be handed over to the care of Don Sar ceda till snell time as he shall find means to make you speak?" Now a great faintness seized mo, for I knew that I was condemned to bo tor tured, and that De Garcia was to be thc torturer. What mercy had I to expect from this cruel heart when I, his deadliest foe, lay In his power to wreak his vengo anco on? But still my will and my honor prevailed against my terrors, and I an swered: "I havo told you, general, that I know nothing of this treasure. Do your worst, and may God forgive you for your cruelty. " "Dare not speak that holy name, apos tate and worshiper of idols, eater of hu man flesh. Let Sarceda be summoned." A messenger went out, and for awhile there was silence. I caught Marina's glanco and saw pity in her gentle eyes. But sho could not help mc here, for Cortes was mad because no gold had been found, and tho clamor of tho soldiers for reward had worn him out and brought him to this shameful remedy, he who was not cruel by nature. Still cihe strove to plead for mo with him, whispering earnestly in his ear. For awhile Cortes listened; then he pushed her from him roughly. "Peace, Marlnn," ho said. "What! Shall I spare this English dog somo pangs when my command und perchance my very lifo hangs upon the finding of thc gold? Nay, he knows well where lt lies hld. You said lt yourself when I would havo hung him for a traitor, and certainly he was ono of those whom the spy saw go out with it upon the lake. Our friend was with them also, but he came back no moro. Doubtless they murdered him. What is this man to you that you should plead for MmY Cease to trouble nie, Marina. Ami not tpoubjed enough already?" and Cortes put his hands to his face and remained lost In thought. 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