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For some i?lhufcs wo lay"thus side by side, and as wo lay a great wonder and gratitude grew in my Ueart, wonder that a woman could bo so brave, gratitude for the lovo she gave mc, 6callng it with her lifeblood, because Otomle loved me so well that sho desired to dio thus at my sido rather than to live on In greatness and honor without ma Of a sudden, In a mc For some minutes we lay thus side by side. mont while I thought of this marvel, a now light shone upon my heart, and lt was changed toward her. I felt that no wom an could ever be so dear to me as this glo rious woman-no, not even my betrothed. I felt-nay, who can say what I did feel? But I know this-that the tears rushed to toy oyes and ran down my painted fdce, and I turned my hoad to look at her. ?he was lying as much upon her left side as her hands would allow; her long hair fell from the stone to the paving, where it lay in masses, and her face was toward me. So close was it indeed that there was not an inch between our lips. "Otomie," I whispered, "listen to mo. I love you, Otomie." Now I saw her breast heave beneath tho bands and the color come upon hor brow. ''Then I am repaid," abo answered, and our lips clung together In a kiss, tho first, and, as wo thought, the last. Yes, thew wc kissed, on tho stone of sacrifice, be neath tho knife of the priest and the shadow of death, and if there has boen a stranger love scene in tho world I have never heard its story. "Oh, I ara repaid," she said again. "I wonld gladly die a score of deaths to win this moment. Indeed I pray that I may die before you take back your words, for, Toule, I know well that there is one who is dearer to you than I am, but now your heart is softened by tho faithfulness of au Indiun girl, and you think that you love her. Let mo die, then, believing that the dream is true." "Talk not so," I answered heavily, for even at that moment the memory of Lily came into my mitid. "You give your life for me, and I love you for it." "My lifo is nothing, and your love is much," sho answered, smiling. "Ah, Teule, what magic have you that you can bring me.'Montezuma's daughter, to tho altar of the gods, and of iny own free will? Well, I desire no softer bcd, and for the why and wherefore it will soon be known by both of us, and with it many other things." CHAPTER XIX. THE TRIUMPH OF THE CROSS. "Otomie," I said presently, "when will ^they kill us?" "When the point of light lies within the ring that is painted over your heart," she answered. Now I turned my head from her and looked at the sunbeam which pierced tho shadow abovo us like a golden pencil. It . rested at my side about six inches from me, and I reckoned that it would lie in tho scarlet ring painted upon my breast within somo 15 minutes. Meanwhile the clamor of battle grew loudor and nearer. Shirting myself so far as tho cords would allow, I strained my head upward and saw that the Spaniards had gained tho crest of tho pyramid, since tho battle now raged upon its edge, and I have rarely seen so terriblo a fight, for tho Aztecs fought with tho fury of despair, thinking little of their own lives if they could only bring a Spaniard to his death. But for tho most part their rude weapons would not pierce the coats of mail, so that there remained only ono way to compass their desire-namely, by costing thc white men | over tho edge of tho teocolll to be crushed like eggshells upon the pavement 200 feet below. Thus the fray broke itself up into groups of foes, who rent and tore at each other upon the brink of the pyramid, now and again to vanish down its side, 10 or 18 of them together. Some of tho priests also joined in thc fight, thinking less of their own deaths than of the desecration of their temples, for I saw one of them, a man of hugo strength and stature, seize a Spanish soldier round the middle and leap with him into space. Still, though very slowly, the Spaniards and Tlascalans forced their way toward the center of tho platform, and as they carno the danger of this dreadful end grew less, for thc Aztecs must drag thom farther. Now, the fight drew near to the stone of sacrifice, and all who remained alive of the Aztecs, perhaps eome 860 of them, be sides tho priests, ranged themselves round us and it in a circle; also the outer rim of the sunbeam that fell through the gold en funnel, creeping on remorselessly, touched my painted side, which it seemed, to burn as hot iron might, for, alas, I could not command tho sun to stand stUl while tho hattie raged, as did Joshua in the val ley of Ajalon. When lt touched me, flvo priests seized my limbs and h^dd, and the father of them, ho who had conducted mo from tho palace, clasped his flint knife In both hands. Now a deathly sickness took me, and I shut my eyes, dreaming that all was done, but at that moment I heard a wild eyed roan, whom I had noted stand ing by, call out to tho minister of death: "Not yet, O priest of Tczcatl If you smito before tho sunbeam lies upon the victim's heart, your gods uro doomed, and doomed aro the peoplo of Anahuac" Tho priest gnashed Ids teeth with rogo and glared first at the creeping point of light and then over his shoulder at the ad vancing battle. Slowly tho ring of war riors closed in upon us, 6lowly tho golden I ray crept up my breast till ivs outer ihn touched tho red circlo painted upon my heart. Again the priest heaved up his; awful knife, again I shut my eyes, and, again I heard tito shrill scream- of the as tronomer: "Not yet, lot yet, or your gods are doomed 1" _ Then I heard another sound. It was the voice of Otomie crying for help. "Bavo us, Teules! Thoy murder us!" eho shrieked in so piercing a noto that it reached tho ears of tho Spaniards, for one shouted in answer and in tho Castillan tongue: "On, my comrades, on! Tho-dogs do murlor on their altars!" Then there was a mighty rush, and the defending Aztecs were swept in upon tho altar, lifting tho priest of sacrifico from bis feet and throwing him across my bodj. Thrice that rush carno, like a rush of tho sea, and each time tho stand of tho Aztecs weakened. Now their circle was broken, ?nd tho swords of tho Spaniards flashed np on every side, and now tho red ray lay Within the ring upon my heart. "Smite, priest of Tczcat," screamed tho voice of tho astronomer. "Smite homo for che glorv of your god!" With a fearful yell, the priest lilted the knife. I saw tho golden sunbeam that rested full upon my heart shine on it. Then as it was descending I saw tho samo sunbeam shine upon a yard of steel that flashed across nie and lost itself In the breast of the murderer priest. Down came tho great flint, inife, but its aim waa lost. It struck indeed, but not upon my bosom, though I did not escupe it altogether. Full upon tho altar of sacrifice it foll and was shattered there, piercing between mj side und that of Otomlo and gashing the flesh of both ~o that our blood was min gled upon the sk-^c, making us one in deed. Down. too. carno tho aright -across our bodies, for ?Be*^ec?noTTrm?^^roo riso no more, for be writhed dying on those whom he would have slain. Thon, as in a dream, I heard the wail of the astron omer singing the dirge of the gods of Ana huac ; "The priest ls deed, and his gods are fallen,'' he cried- "Tezcat has rejected bis victim and is fallen, Doomed are the I gods of Anahuao! Victory ls to the caws ! of the Christians^' Thug he wailed. Then came the sound of .word blows, and I knew that this proph et was dead also. Kow a strong arm pulled the dying priest from off ns, and he staggered beek I till be fell over the altar where the eternal fire burned, quenching lt with his blood and body after it had flared for many gen erations, and a knife Out the rope that bound us. I sat up, staring round me wildly, and a voice spoko above me in Castillan, not to me indeed, but to some comrade. "These two went near to it, poor dev ils!" said the voice. "Had my cut been one second later that savage would have drilled a hole in him as big as my bead. By all the saints, the girl is lovely, or would be if she were washed! I shall beg her of Cortes as my prize. " The voice spoke, and I knew the voice. Kone other ever bad that hard, clear ring. I knew lt even then and looked up, slip ping off the death stone as I looked. Now I saw. Before me, clad in mail, was my enemy, De Garcia It was his sword that by the good providence of God had pierced the breast of the' priest. He had saved me, who, had he known, would as soon have turned his steel against his own heart as on that -of my destroyer. I gazed at Mm, wondering if I dreamed. Then my lips spoke without my will, as it were: "De Garcia!" He staggered back at the sound of my voice, like a man struck by a shot, -then He staggered back ai the sound of r.xy voice. stired at me, rubbed his eyes with his hand and stared again. Now at length he knew me through my paint "Mother of God!" he gasped, "it is the knave Thomas Wingfield, andi have saved his life!" By this time my senses had come back to me, and knowing all my folly I turned, seeking escape. But De Garcia had no mind tc suffer this. Lifting his sword, he sprang at mo with a beastliko scream of rage an d hate. Swiftly as thought I slipped round .the stone of sacrifice, and after me came tho uplifted sword of my enemy. It would have overtaken me soon enough, for I was weak with fear and fasting, and my limbs were cramped with bonds, but at that moment a cavalier, whom by bis dress and port I guessed to be none other than Cortes himself, struck up De Garcia's sword, saying: "How now, Sarcedaf Are you mad with the lust of blood that you would take to sacrificing victims like an Indian priest? Let the poor devil go." I "He ls no Indian. He is an English spy," cried De Garcia and once more struggled to get at ma > I "Decidedly our friend is mad," said Cortes, scanning ma "He says that this wretched creature is an Englishman. Come, be off, both of you, or somebody else may make the same mistake," and he waved his sword in token to us to gc, deeming that I could not understand his words, tuen added angrily as Do Garcia, speechless with rage, made a new attempt to get at me: ' Ko, by heaven! I will not suffer it We are Christians and como to save vic tims, not to slay them. Here, comrades, hold this fool who would stain his soul with murder." Kow the Spaniards clutched De Garcia by the arms, and he cursed and raved at them, for, as I have said, his rage was that of a beast rather than of a man. But I stood bewildered, not knowing whither to fly. Fortunate it was for me Indeed that one waa by wbo, thougb ehe understood no Spanish, yet bad a quicker wit fer while I stood thus Otom?a clasped my hand and whispering, "Fly, fly swiftly!" led mo away from tho stone of ?acrlfloe. "Whither shall we go?" I said at length. "Were it not better to trust to the mercy of the Spaniardsf'' "To the mercy of that man devi; with the sword?" she answered- "Peace, Toulcv and follow me. " i Kow she led me on, mad the Spaniards Set us'by unharmed-aye, and even spoke words of pity as we passed) for they knew that we were victims snatched from saori Boa. Indeed, when a certain brute, a Tlaeoalan Indian, rushed at us, purposing to slay us with a club, one of the Span iards ran bim through the shoulder, n that he fell wounded to the pa vc m cw st. 80 we went on, and at tho edgo of the pyramid wo glanced back and saw that De Garcia had broken from thos-f whe held him, or perhaps ho found his lpn gua and explained tho truth to them, /U tiit# least ho was bounding from the altar of sacrifice, nearly r>0 yards away, and com ing toward us witli uplifted sword. Theq fear gave us strength, and wo fled like tibe wino. Along the steep path wo i-ushe**? sido by sido, leaping down the stojps and over tho hundreds of dead and dying, enjy pausing now and again to save ourselves from being smitten into space by th*? bodies of tho priests whom tho SpardaMs wero hurling from tho crest of the- taoc&mi Once, looking up, I caught Bight of fl* Garcia*- pursuing far above us, I rat aft?> that wef saw him no moro. Doubtless k} Wearied of the chaso or feared to fidl letty tho hands of such of thc Aztec warriors ?j still clustered round tho foot of tho pyto> mid. After thot I remember nothing ttllJj-J found myself once more In my apartment^ in Montezuma's palace, which I novif hoped to see again. Otomle was by tnt* and she brought mo water to wash tb? paint off from my body and tho blood f roil my wound, which, leaving her own un tended, she dressed skillfully, for the cv? of the priest's knlfo was deep, and I bau bled mitch; also she clothed herself afresh In a willie robo and brought me raiment to wear, with food and drink, and I par took of ?hem. Then I bado her oat som? thing herself, and When she had dono so I gathered my wits together and spoke to her. "What next?" I said. "Presently tb? priests will be on us, and wo shall be drag ged back to sacrifice. There is no hope for me here. I must fly to the Spaniards and trust to their mercy." "To the n>ercy of that mao with tho sword? Say, Tculo, who is he?" "Ho is that Spaniard of whom I have sjwken to you, Otomie. He is my mortal enemy, whom I have followed across the seas." ''And now you would put yourself into Ids power. Truly, you aro foolish, Teule." "It is better to fall into tho hands of Christian men than into those of your ^?1 acia 99 jr M r^<\-grj/wywl # . ? "Havo no lear, " sho said. "The priests aro hannlcss for you. You havo escaped them, and there's an end. Few havo ever come alivo from their clutches before, and ho who does so is a wizard indeed. For tho rest, I think that your God is stronger than our gods, for surely ho must havo cast his mantle over us when we lay yon der on the stone. Ah, Teule, to what havo you brought mo that I should livo to doubt my gods! Aye, and to call upon tho foes of my country for succor in your need! Believe me, I had not done lt for my own sake, since I would have died with your kiss upon my lips and your word of lovo echoing in my oars, who now must livo knowing that these joys have passed from me," "How soP" I answered. "What I havo said I have said. Otomie, you would have died with me, and you saved my lifo by your wit in calling oh the Spaniards. Henceforth it is yours, for there is no other woman in the world so tender and so brave, and I say it again, Otomie, my wife, I love you. Our blood has mingled on the stone of sacrifice, and there wo havo kissed. Let these be our marriage rites. Perhaps I have not long to live, but till I die I am yours, Otomie, my wife, " Thus I spoke from the fullness of my heart, for my strength and courage were shattered. Horror and loneliness had taken hold of ma But two things were left to me in tho world-my trust in Prov idence and tho love of this woman, who had dared so much for mo. Therefore I forgot my troth and clung to her as a child io its mother. Doubtless it was wrong, but I will bo bold to say that few men so placed would havo acted other wise. Moreover, I could not take back the fateful words that I had spoken on the stone of sacrifice. When I said them, I was expecting death indeed, but to re nounce them now that its shadow was lifted from me, if only for a little while, would have been the act of a coward. For good or evil I had given myself to Monte zuma's daughter, and I must abide by it or be shamed. Still such was the noble ness of this Indian lady that oven then she would not take mo at my word. For a little while sho stood smiling sadly and drawing a lock of her long hair through the hollow of her hand. Then sho spoke: "You aro not yourself, Teule, and I should be baso indeed if I made so solemn a compact with ono who does not know what he sells. Yonder on the altar and in a moment of death you said that you loved me, and doubtless it was true. But now you have como back to life, and say, lord, who set that golden ring upon your hand, and what is written in its clr clef Yet oven if tho words aro true that you havo spoken and you love mo a little, there is one across the sea whom you love better. "That I could bear, for my heart is fixed on you alone among men, and at the least you would bo kind to me, and I should move in the sunlight of your presence. But having known tho light, I cannot live to wander in the darkness. You do not un derstand. I fear that if-if wo were wed you would weary of mc as men do, and that memory would grow too strong for you. Then by and by it might be possiblo for you to find your way back across tho waters to your own land and your own love, and so you would desert nie, Teule. This is what I could not bear, Teule. I can forego you now, aye, and remain your friend. But I cannot bc put aside like a dancing girl, tho companion of a month, I, Montczuma's daughter, a lady of my own land. Should you wed me, it must be for life, Teule, and that is perhaps moro than you would wish to promise, though you could kiss mo on yonder stone, and there is blood fellowship between us," and she glanced at tho red stain in the linen robe that covered the wound upon her side. "And now, Teule, I leavo you awhile, that I may find Guatemoc, if ho still lives, and others who, now that the strength cf tho priests is shattered, havo power to pro tect you and advance you to honor. Think then on all that I have said and do not be hasty to decido. Or would you mako an end at once and fy to the white men if I can find a means of escaper" "I am too weary to fly anywhere," I an swered, 'keven if I could. Moreover, I for get. My enemy is among tho Spaniards, he whom I have sworn to kill; therefore his friends are my foes, and his foes my friends. I will not fly, Otomie. " "There you are wiso," she said, "for if you come among the Teules that man will morder yon. By fair means or foul he will murder you within a day; I saw lt in his eyes. Now rest while I seek your safety, if there is any safety in this blood stained land." CHAPTER XX. THOMAS IS MARRIED. Otomie turned and went. I watched the golden curtains close behind her. Then I tank book upon the couch and instantly was lost in sleep, for I was faint and weak and so dazed with weariness that at the time I scarcely know what had happened or the purpose of our talk. Afterward, however, li came back to me. I must have slept for many hours, for when I awoke it waa far into the night. It was night, but not dark, for through the barred window plates carno tho sound of tumult and fight ing and red rays of light cast by the fiamos of burning houses. One of these windows was above my couch, and standing on tho bed I seized the sill with my hands. With much pain, because of tho flesh wound in uy eldo, I drew myself up till I could look through the bars. Then I saw that tho Spaniards, not content with the capture of the teocalil, had made a night attack and ?et fixe to hundreds of houses In the city. The glare of the flames was that of a lurid day, and by it I could seo tho whit? men retreating to their quarters, pursued by thousands of Aztecs, who hung upon their flanks, shooting at them with stones and arrows. Now I dropped down from tho window place and began to think as to what I .hoold do, for again my mind was waver ing. Should I desert Otomie and escapo to the Spaniards, If lt were possible, tak ing my chance of death at tho hands of De Garcia? Or should I stay among tho Aztecs, if they would give mo shelter, and wed Otomie? There was a third choleo Indeed-to stay with them and leave Oto mie alone, though it would bo difficult to do this and keep my honor. One thing I understood-If I married Otomie it must bo at her own prico, for then I must be come an Indian and givo over all hopo of returning to England and to my botrothed. Of this indeed thero was littlo chance Still, whllo lifo remainod to mc, it might como about if I was freo. But once my hands were tied by this marriago lt could never bo during Otomio's lifetime, and so far as Lily Bozard was concerned I should bo dead. How could I bo thus faithless to her memory and my troth, and, on thc other hand, how could I discard tho wom an who had risked all for me, and who, to speak truth, had grown so dear to mo, though thero was one yet dearer? Whilo I sat musing on tho couch tho curtain was drawn, and a man entered bearing a torch. It was Guatemoc as he had como from tho fray, which, except for Its harvest of burning houses, was finished for that night. Tho plumes wcro shorn from his head, his golden nrmor was hacked by tho Spanish swords, and ho bled from a shot wound in the neck. ''Greeting, Toulo," ho said. "Certainly I never thought to seo you alivo tonight, or myself oithor, for that matter. But it l?a strango world, and now, if never be fore in Tonoctitlan, those things happen for which we look tho least But I havo no timo for words. I carno to summon you before tho oouncll." l'What is to bo my fate?" I asked. HTo bo dragged back to tho stono of sacri fier" "Nay, have no fear of that But for Qbe rest I cannot say. In an hour you may bo dead or great among us, if any of ns can be called great in these days of oh am e. Otomie has worked well for you among the princes and tho counselors, so abe says, and if you havo a heart you should bo grateful to her, for it scorns to me that few women havo loved a man so much. As for mo, I have boen employed pjsowhere," and ho glanced at his rent armor, "but I will lift up my voico for Eon. No tv come, friend, for tho torch urns low. By phis timo you must be well seasoned in dangers. Ono moro or less will matter as little io you as po mo," Theo I roso and followed him Into tbs great cedar paneled bill whoro that very morning I bad received adoration as a god. Now I waa a god no longer, but a prisoner on trial for his lifo. Upon tho dais where I had stood in tho hour of my redhead wero jmthorcd thoso of tho Drinces ~~anU counselors wliu were left alivo. Soin of thom, like Guatemoc, were clad In ron and bloody mail, others in their custoniar, dress, and one lu a priest's robe. Thoy ha only two things in common among then -the sternness of their faces and th greatness of their rank-and they sat ther this night not to decide my fate, whic) was but a little thing, but to take counse as to how they might expel tho Spaniard before the city was destroyed. When I entered, a man in mail, who sa in tho center of the half oircle, and h whom I knew Cuitlahua, who would b tho emperor should Montezuma die, looker up quickly and said: ."Who is this, Guatemoc, that you brim with you? Ah, I remember-tho Teul that was the god Tczcat, and who escape< the sacrifice today! Listen, nobles. Wha ls to be done with this man? Say, ls i lawful that he be led back to sacrifie**'' Then tho priest answered: "I giieve t? say that it is not lawful, most nobl prince. This man has lain on the alta: of tho god-he has even beu wounded bj the holy knife. But the god rejected hin in a fateful hour, and he must lio there n< more. Slay him if you will, but not upoi the 9 to no of sacrifice." "What, then, shall be done with him?' said the prince again. "He is of the blood of tho Teules, ant therefore an enemy. One thing is certaii -ho must not be suffered to join th< white dovils and give them tidings of om distress. Is lt not best that he be pm away forthwith?" Now several of tho council nodded theil heads, but others sat silent, making nc sign. "Come," said Cuitlahua, "we have nc time to waste over this man when thc lives of thousands aro hourly at stake Tho question is, Shall tho Teule be alain?" Then Guatemoc rose and spoke, saying: "Your pardon, noblo kinsmen, but I hold that wo may put this prisoner to bcttei uso than to kill him. I know him welt Ho is bravo and loyal, as I have proved. Moreover, ho is not all a Teule, but hali of another race that hates them as he hatea them; also he has knowledge of theil customs and mode of warfare, whloh we lack, and I think that ho may be able ta give us good counsel in our strait." "Tho counsel of the wolf to the deer perhaps," said Cuitlahua coldly, "coun sel that shall lead us to the fangs of the Teules. Who shall answer for this foreign devil, that he will not betray us if we trust him?" "I will answer with my life," answered Gua tomoo. \ "Your lifo is of too great worth to be set on suoh a stake, nephew. Mon of this white breed are liars, and his own word li of no value oven if he gives it 1 think that it will be best to kill him and havo done with doubts. " "This man is wed to Otomie, princess of the Otomie, Montezuma's daughter, your niece," said Guatemoc again, "and sho loves him so well that she offered her self upon tho stone of sacrifice with him. Unless I mistake she will answer for him also. Shall she bo summoned before you?" "If you wish, nephew, but a woman in love is a blind woman, and doubtless he has deceived hor also. Moreover, she was his wife aqcordlng to tho rule of religion only. Is it your desire that the princess should bo summoned before you, com rades?" Now some said nay, but thc most, thoso whoso interest Otomie had gained, said yea, and thc end of It was that ono of their number was sent to summon her. Presently she came, looking very weary, but proud in mien and royally attired, and bowed before thc council. "This is thc question, princess," said Cuitlahua, "whether this Teule shall be slain forthwith, or whether ho shall bo sworn as one of us, should he be willing to take tho oath ? Tho Prlnco Guatemoc hore vouches for him, and ho says, moreover, that you will vouch for him also. A wom an can do this in ono way only, by taking him i he vouches as her husband. You are already wed to this foreigner by the rule of religion. Aro you willing to marry him according to tho custom of our land and to answer for his faith with your own lifo?" "I am willing, " Otomie answered quiet ly, "if he is willing." . "In truth, it is a great honor that you would do this white dog," 6ald Cuitlahua "Bethink you, you aro princess of the Oto mie and ono of our master's daughters. It is to you that we look to bring back the mountain clans of the Otomie, of whom you are chieftalness, from their unholy al liance with the accursed Tlascalans, the slaves of tho Teules. Is not your Hie too precious to bo set on such a stako as this foreigner's faith, for learn, Otomie, if he proves false yourrank shall not help you?" "I know it all," sho replied quietly. "Foreigner or not, I love this man, and I will answer for him with my blood. More over, I look to him to assist me to win bock tho pcoplo of tho Otomie to their al legiance. But let him speak for himself, my lord. It may happen that he has no desire to take rac in marriage " Cuitlahua smiled grimly and said, "When tho choice lies between the breast of death and those fair arms of yours, niece, it is easy to guess his answer. Still, speak, Teulo, and swiftly. " "I have little to say, lord. If tho Prin cess Otomio ls willing to wed mo, I am willing to wed hor," I answered, and thus in the moment of my danger all my doubts and scruples vanished. As Cuitlahua had said, it was easy to guess the choice of ono sot between death and Otom?a Sho heard and looked at mo warningly, saying in a low voice: "Remembor our words, Toula In such a marriages you ro nounco your past and give me your fu tura" "I remember, " I answered, and whilo I spoke thero came before my eyes a vision of Lily's face as lt had been when I bado her farewell. This, then, was the end of the vows that I had sworn. Cuitlahua looked at mo with a glan co which seemed to search my heart and Bald: "I hear your words, Teula You, a white wanderer, aro graciously willing to tako this princess to wlfo and by ber to bo lifted high among the great lords of' this land. But, say, how can wo trust you? If you fail us, your wife dies indeed, but that may be naught to you." "I am ready to swear allegiance," I an swered. 1 ' I hate tho Spaniards, and among them is my bitterest onomy whom I fol lowed across thc sea to kill-tho man who strovo to murder mo this very day. I can say no more. If you doubt my words, it were best to make an end of mo. Already I havo suffered much at tho hands of your people. It matters little if I dio or live." "Boldly spoken, Teule. Now, lords, I ask your judgment. Shall this man bo given to Otomie as husband and bo sworn as one of us, or shall ho bo killed instant ly? You know thc matter. If he can bo trusted, as Guatemoc and Otomio behove, ho will bo worth an anny to U3, for ho is acquainted with tho language, tho cus toms, thc weapons and tho modes of WPJT faro of these white devUs whom tho gods havo let looso upon us. If, on tho other hand, ho is not to bo trusted, and lt ls hard for us to put faith in ono of his blood, ho may do us much injury, for in tho end he will escape to tho Teules and betray our counsels and our strength or the lack of lt. It is for you to judge, lords. " Now tho cour,, jlors consulted together, and somo said ono thing and somo anoth er, for thoy wcro not by any means of a mind in tho matter. At length, growing weary, Cuitlahua called on thom to put tho question to thc vote, and this they'did by a lifting of hnnds. First those who were in favor of my death held up their hands, then thoso who thought it would bo wiso to spare mo. There wcro 26 counsel ors present, not counting Cuitlahua, and of theso 13 voted for my execution, and 18 were for saving mo alive. "Now it seems that I must glvo a cast ing vote," 6ald Cuitlahua when tho talc had been rendered, and my blood turned cold at his words, for I had seen that his mind was set against mc. Thon lt was that Otomio broke in, saying: "Your pardon, my uncle, but before you speak I have a word to say. You need my scn-icos, do you not, for if tho pooplo of thc Otomie will listen to any and suffer themselves to bo lcd from their ovU path it is to me? My mother was by birth their chieftalness, thc last of a loug line, and I am her only child. Moreover, my father is their emperor. Therefore my lifo is of no miall worth now in this timo of trou ble, for though I an> nothing tn myself yet it may chanco that 1 can bring 80,000 warriors to your standard. The priests know this on yonder pyramid, and whon X claimed my right to lie at the sJdjLP? tho 'ACLLHJ Luc.? ^..A-.jjiin.? lue, uur >iuuiu tiley suffer lt, though they hungered for tho royal blood, till I called down tho vengo anco of tho gods upon them. Now, my uncle and you, lords, I tell you this: Slay yonder man if you will, but know that then you must find another than me to lure the Otomie from their rebellion, for then I complete what I began today and follow him to the grave." Sho ceased, and a murmur of amazement went round the chamber, for none had looked to find suoh love and courage in this lady's he ut. Only Cuitlahua grew angry. "Disloyal girl," ho said, "do you dare to set your love:? before your country? Shame upon you shameless daughter of our king! Why, it is in the blood-as the father is, so is the daughter. Did not Mon tezuma forsake his people and choose to lie among these Teules, the false children of Quetzal? And now this Otomie follows in his path. Tell us how is it, woman, that you and your lover alone escaped from tho teocali! yonder when all the rest were killed. Are you then in league with these Teules? I say to you, niece, that if things were otherwise and I had my way you should win your desire indeed, for you should be slain at this man's side and within the hour. " And he ceased for lack of breath and looked upon her fiercely. But Otomie never quailed. She stood before him pale and quiet, with folded hands and downcast eyes, and answered: "Forbear to reproach me because my love is strong, or reproach mo if you will, I haye spoken my last word. Condemn this m an to die, and, prince, you must seek some other envoy to win book the Otomie to tho cause of Anahuac. " Now Cuitlahua pondered, staring into the gloom above bim and pulling at bia beard, and tho silence was great, for none knew what his judgment would be. At last he spoke: "So bo it We have need of Otomie, my niece, and it is of no avail to fight against a woman's love. Teule, we give you life, and with tho lifo honor and wealth, and the greatest of our women in marriage, and a place in our councils. Take these gifts and her, but I say to you both be ware how you use them. If you betray us -nay, if you but think on treachery-I swear to you that you shall dio a death so slow and horrible that the very name of it would turn your heart to water, you and your wife, your children and your servants. Come, let him be sworn 1" I hear?, and my head swam, and a mist gathered before my eyes. Once again I was saved from Instant death. Presently it cleared, and looking up roy eyes mot those of the woman who had saved mc, Otomie, my wife, who smiled upen mo somewhat sadly. Thon the priest came forward bearing a wooden bowl, carved about with strange signs, and a flint knife, and bude me bare my arm. Ho out my flesh with the knife, so that blood ran from it into thu bowl. Some drops of this blood ho emptied on to tho ground, muttering invocations the while. Then ho turned and looked ut Cultluhuu ns though in question, und Cuitlahua answered with a bitter laugh: "Let him bo baptized with thc blood of thc Princess Utomie, my niece, for sho is ball for him." ''Nay, lord," said Guatemoc, "thesetwo have mingled bloods already upon tho stono of sacrifice, and thoy aro man and wife. But I also have vouched for bim, and I offer minc in earnest of my faith." "This Teule has good friends," said Cuitlahua. '"You honor him overmuch. But so bc it." Then . Guatemoc came forward, and when the priest would have cut him with tho knifo ho laughed and said, pointing to tho bullet wound upon his neck: "No need for that, priest. Blood runs hero that was shed by the Teules. Nono can bo fitter for this purposo." So the priest drew away tho bandage and suffered tho blood of Guatemoc to drop into a second smaller bowl. Then ho carno to mc, and dipping his finger into tho blood ho drew the sign of a cross upon my forehead as a Christian priest draws lt upon the forehead of an infant and said: "In the presence and the name of God, our Lord, who ls everywhere and sees nil things, I sign you with this blood and mako you of this blood. In the presence and the name of God, our Lord, who is ev erywhere and sees all things, I pour forth your blood upon the earth 1" (Here ho poured as he spoke.) "As this blood of yours sinks into the earth, sa may the memory of your past life Bink and he for gotten, for you aro born again of the peo ple of Anahuac In the presence and the nameof God. our Lord, who is everywhere and socs all things, I mingle these bloods" (here ho poured from one bowl into the other), "and with them I touch your tongue" (herc, dipping his flngor into tho bowl,, he touched tho tip of my tonino with it) "and bid you swear thus: M 'L Teule, swear to bo faithful to the people of Anahuac and to their lawful gov ernors. I swear to wage war upon their foes and to compass their destruction, and more esjiooially upon the Teules, till they are driven into the sea. I swear to offer no affront to the gods of Anahuac, I swear myself in marriage to Otomie, princess of the Otomie, the daughter ot Montezuma, my lord, for so long as ber lifo shall on dure. I swear to attempt no escape from these shores. I swear to renounce my fa ther and my mother, and the land where X was born, and to cling to this land of my new birth, and this my oath shall en dure till the volcano Popo ceases to vomit smoke and Aro, till there is no king in Tenootitlan, till no priest serves the altars of the gods and the people of Anahuac ore nb moro a people.' " When I hod sworn, Gua tomoo came for ward and embraced me, saying: "Wel come, Teule, my brother in blood and heart. Now you are one ol us, and we look to you for help and counsel. Come, be seated by ma" I looked toward Cuitlahua doubtfully, but he smiled graciously and said: "Teule, your trial is over. We have accepted you, and you have sworn the solemn oath of brotherhood, to break wbioh is to dio hor ribly in this world and to. be tortured through eternity in the next Forget all that may have been said in the hour of TOUT weighing, for the balance, is in your favor, and bo sure that if you give us no cause to doubt you, you shall find none to doubt us. Now, aa the husband of Otom?a, you aro a lord among the lords, having honor and great possessions, and as such be seated by your brother Gua tomoo and join our council. " I did as ho bado me, and Otomlo with drew from our presence. Then Cuitlahua spoke again, no longer of me and my mut ters, but of the urgent affairs of state. Ho spoke in slow words and weighty, and more than onco his voice broke in his sor row. Ho told of tho grievous misfortunes that had overcome tho country, of tho death of hundreds of its bravest warriors, of tho slaughter of tho priests and soldiers that day on the teocali! and tho desecra tion of his nation's gods. What was to bo done in this extremity? ho asked. Monte zuma lay dying, a prisoner in the comp of tho Teules, and the fire that he had nursed with his breath dovoured tho lat ii. No o? forte of theirs could break the iron strength of those white devils, armed with strange and terriblo weapons. Day by day dis aster overtook the arms of the Aztecs. What wisdom had thoy now that, tho pro tecting gods were shattered in thoir very shrines, when tho altars ran red with the blood of their ministering priests, whon the oracles wore dumb or answered only in tho accents of despair? Then ono by one princes and generals arose and gave counsel according to their lights. At length all had spoken, and Cuitlahua said, looking toward mo: 4>We have a now counselor among us who ls skilled in the warfare and customs of tho white man, who till an hour ago was himself a white man. Has ho no word of comfort for us?" "Speak, my brother," said Guatomoo. Then I spoke. "Most noble Cuitlahua, and you, lords and princes, you honor mo by asking my counsel, and it ls this, in few words and brief: Vou waste your strength by hurling your armies contin ually against stono walls and the weapons of Teules. So you shall not prevail against them. Your devices must bo changed if you would win victory. The Spaniards aro Uko other men. They are no gods, ai the ignorant imagine, and tho creatures upon which they rldo are not demons, but beasts of burden, suoh as aro used for many purposes in the land where I waa boin, . * . -i _TO HE CONTIWL'KP. 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