The Slave Sculptor — page 90: what you’re looking at

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

92 THE SLAVE SCULPTOR. did it in cold blood, in the little cave below, because she befriended you. Now, let him lay and consider upon his past deeds. He will have ample time for reflection, and abundance of wickedness to re- yert to.’’? Saying this, she waved her hand and was gone. Mazina was alone over that chasm, from which came a voice of suffering and despair! . The sun had not advanced far up in the heavens on that eventful morning, when Tonatiuh rushed into the secret chambers where Mazina sat weeping. ‘The old prophetess was frightful to gaze upon. Her hair was tangled and matted around her head; her features were coyered with wounds and blood; her eyes were red and in- flamed, and glared like the fires of Mazina sprang to her feet, stared wonderingly upon her friend, who reeled forward, fell heavily on a stovl, and exclaimed: | “‘ Lost! Lost! All is lost! ”’ Mazina clasped her arms around Tonatiuh’s neck, and begged to know the cause of her great grief. ** Lost ! lost !’? sobbed the strange woman, her eyes fillmg with tears. ‘* All is Jost !”’ ‘+ What is lost?’’ inquired Mazina, brushing back the damp locks '- from her friend’s brow. ‘* You are badly wounded! Your face is eut terribly; and you are all covered with blood.”’ ** Not dangerously wounded in body, but mortally at heart. I will tell you, so that you can understand. Our peace and future happiness, depend upon the success of the Spaniards over the Aztecs, I know that you think this strange, but, by and by, you will under. stand it better. Last night, the Spaniards attempted to leave the - capital. They were blockaded, and all means of obtaining provis- ions or water, were cut off by the Aztecs. While Montezuma lived, they had hope of ultimate triumph; but, after his death, Cuitlahua was made emperor. He, possessing a more warlike spirit than his deeessor, soon placed the Spaniards in a dangerous position. rtez planned his orderof retreat, and attempted to carry it i effect last night. The result was one of the most desperate and ful struggles this nation ever experienced, and the Aztecs were Vi torious. They destroyed all but a few of the Spaniards, who now fleeing precipitately — alas! they know not where.”’ “ [heard ¢he tumult,’’ Mazina answered; ** but I had so and such deep trouble, that I paid little heed to what I Toluca is now in a deep chasm beneath this floor.”’ ‘Tonatiuh started like one touched with fire. ‘¢ What did you say?’’ she exclaimed. Mazina related all that had occurred during the past few days — how she had seen Maxtla and the priest, — the unexpected intrasio of Toluca, with a minute recital of the scene that them, and the incomprehensible interposition of Meztli, who foiled the villain by precipitating him through a trap-door in the floor. Tonatiuh, like Mazina, was surprised to learn that there was such an aperture in the floor. LL i i comcbooks.com