The Slave Sculptor — page 46: what you’re looking at

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

48 THE SLAVE SCULPTOR. journeyed from a city far to the southward. Isoon became acquaint- ed with ‘izoe — the woman who owns or occupies the cave and these secret chambers; and I have since made my home with her, “* My profession is that of prophetess, which I adopted on arriving here, fur purposes of my own, knowing that it would allow me the most fictions to go and come without being questioned. I have, therefore, passed considerable time in the city, and have become ac- quainted with much that is going on in the great capital. : “«T was informed by Meztla, Lord Ahutizol’s slave, of the friend- ship existing between you and the sculptor; and it was she who con- cocted the plan which effected your present captivity. : ‘* Meztli, not so much from good will toward you, in thus placing you beyond the reach of those who sought your eternal ruin, as to serve her own purpose of revenge, succeeded in enticing you to ac- company her on that evening Loat-ride. ‘those men who followed in another bark, were hired to perform the work, and immediately after you was captured, she hurried on in advance to communicate with ‘lizoc, who is her mother. This woman started out immediately, and had proceeded but a short distance, when she mew the men with you. They understood how to maneuver, and instantly fled, leaving you with her, when she conducted you to these chambers. ** As matters were at the palace, it was undoubtedly for your in- terest that the affair occurred ag it has; for that villain Toluea, and his father, would have given you much trouble. Here you will be safe; but do not speak one word of what | have told you, for Tizoc is not any too well disposed toward you. I shall go to the city again in a few days, when I will see -Maxtla, and arrange for a meeting be- tween you and him; meanwhile, you must remain perfectly quiet. Trust implicitly in me, and I will effect your ultimate trumph. I must now leave you, but will return again soon. Do not part with that locket; ’’ and before Mazina could make any reply, she was alone. The morning which broke over the Spanish quarters, following their first night’s sojourn in the Aztec capital, was very fair. Atan early hour, Cortez and several of his generals were seated upon 4 corridor of the palace where their troops were garrisoned, en in earnest conversation. - : had been there but a short period, when a woman approach =d, bearing upon her arm a curious basket, filled with ornaments and jewels, which she presented to them, and made signs to purchase. This woman we readily recognize by her robe, head-dress, and wand, to be Tonatizh, the Prephetess. Cortez took a splendid neck- lace of pearls, and while he and his colleagues were admiring the superb) workmanship, she was scanning their features with an earn- eat gaze. The article was purchased by Cortez, who paid an insignificant coniclbooks.corn