The Slave Sculptor — page 44: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

46 THE SLAVE SCULPTOR. have thus daringly penetrated, are treacherous, cunning, and cruel. They will offer you alms in one hand, and with the other, tear out your hearts to feed their heathen gods. I have watched your pro- gress since you landed on the coast, with an interest of life and death. May the Virgin Mary and the Holy Cross protect you, and crown your efforts with sticcess! Yet, | warn you to be vigilant. You have obtained access to the capital, contrary to the united voice of the populace, and all the leading Jords of the realm, who ate only held in restraint out of regard to their emperor — Montezuma, whom they have long honored and One false move in you, or your generals, and your army would be overwhelmed by a legion of Azteca. Then the blood of the Spaniards would flow like a river from the summit of the teocallis. ce again I urge you to exert the Uteaess ,Watchfulness; and may God crown your enterprise with tri- umph!’”? ez read this note carefully, two or three times, then folded his arms and commenced pacing to and froin the apartment. A mo- ment later, he summoned his little page — Orteguilla, and dispatch- ed him to General Alvarado’s quarters, with instructions for that The attendant hurried away, and soon General Alvarado entered the of his superior officer. Cortez received him with that familiarity, which ever characterized his conduct toward his during that eventful campaign; and at once gave him the strange note to read, Following this, was a long, confidential conference, which resulted in a determination to double the sentinels, to enforce the most perfect obedience of the soldiers to their officers, and above all to command that a courteous, respectful demeanor, on every oc- casion, should be manifested toward the natives. Thus the first night of the Spaniards in the Aztec capital. CHAPTER XI MAZINA AND THE PROPHETESS. Ler us now to the secret chambers in the wall, on the mountain, surrounding the Indian teocal/i. The expression of Tonatiuh as she beheld the portrait in the locket, secured around Mazina’s nesk, awakened the slumbering captive, who sprang up, and gazed witk amazement upon the woman kneeling by the side of the bed. © Tonatiuh’s long hair, her head-dress of flowers, her rich costume, and, above all, her attitude, fur a moment transfixed the attention of Mazina; then the consciousness that she was a captive, in a strange place, rushed upen her mind, and she cried : comicldookks.conn