The Slave Sculptor — page 56: what you’re looking at

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

58 THE SLAVE SCULPTOR. ‘* Ves, child !”’ responded Tonatiuh, ‘* you may call me mother and I will find you a safe retreat; but tell me how all this has hap- pened.’? With simple, child-like confidence, Mazina related hastily the par- ticularsof her and Maxtla’s captivity, and of her escape through the assistance of a slave-girl and the priest; yet Maxtla was still a captive, and would probably die at the hands of his enemies; and she-wept convulsively at the thought. - Tonatiuh consoled her with many words of encouragement, and, in turn, recited her awn sad thoughts and experiences. ‘‘ But the dear priest — where iz he?’’ she exclaimed. . ‘“‘T am here, good lady,” he replied, stepping forward. ‘* Mazi- na is weary. She has travelled far and fast, and needs My ae Can you provide her with a safe place of concealment until I call again ina few days? She has told me of your previous kindness to her. Will you still continue to be her friend? ”’ ; ‘‘ While I live she has none better,’’ Tonatiuh responded with much feeling. ‘* Leave her with me. I pledge my life for her safe- ty.”’ j “Tt isenough! Be of good cheer, Mazina. I will bring you ti- dings of Maxtla, ere the sun has rose and set twice.’’ Maxtla Ytzeoatl flew over the mountain at the top of his speed. The full moon shone down in all its splendor, presenting to the eye a beautiful scene, spread out in the clear light. While hurrying forward between two high rocks, he detected a moving shadow across his path. Looking up he beheld three men rushing down the steep declivity, directly upon him, and one glance revealed the foremost figure as being that of Toluca. In an instant the truth flashed upon the sculptor’s mind that he had been pursued, overtaken, and now would haye to fight if he would escape. “Ah !?? hissed Toluca, with a taunting voice, “‘ you have not yet eluded my grasp. This hour is your last. You shall die, base slave that you are!’”’ ** Not. by your dastard hands !’’ responded Maxtla, armed with _ the maquahuiil and shield. ‘* Let him who is in most haste to die make the first assault. Come on, villains, the whole of yon !’’ he _ shouted. With a sneering laugh, Toluca ordered his followers to aim their darts. One instant two cords were drawn back, till the ifztli pointed arrows rested against th2 full-strained bow, and the shafts es for their fatal mission. tes . perfect self-possession Maxtla threw his shield into use, an with the heavy maquehuitl, dashed furiously upon his foes. The onset Was so unexpected, and the assault so terrific that the weapons were hurri discharged, One arrow missed him altogether, and the other bounded harmlessly away from the shield. A fierce sweep of the maguahuiil laid one of the assrilants dead at the sculptor’s feet, while the others retreated a few paces, then rallied, and came again conmniclbooks.com