The Slave Sculptor — page 94: what you’re looking at

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

96 THE SLAVE SCULPTOR. Cortez was filled with admiration at the courage and noble bear- ing of his royal captive, and assured him, that he should be treated with all honor. He dispatched an escort to conduct the royal family to the azulu. The escort soon returped, accompanied by the royal household, among whom was Mazina. The scene which followed, was one of deep interest. It was the moment of the Spaniards’ triumph in the new world, and the downfall of the Aztec empire, — such a moment as only comes at In- tervals of centuries. Guatemozin begged that the massacre might be stopped, his sub- nae provided with food, and allowed to leave the infected city. is was readily granted, when the unhappy monarch, with his family and friends, sat down to the sumptuous banquet prepared for the occasion. At this moment, the man in black robe and mask, who had excit- ed such personal interest in the mind of Cortez, stepped from the ranks. He raised the black cowl from his head. ** General Cortez!” Cortez started. Before him was a man of his own country! His thick, black beard and mustache were carefully trimmed; and there was an expression in his countenance, which puzzled the Span- ish general, who gazed fixedly into his face. ‘* Who are you?’’ asked Cortez. «¢ Your own cousin,’” replied the uncowled priest. “Luis? ’’ gasped the general. «Ay, the same!” - ’ <¢ Great God ! how did you come here? We thought you dead !”” exclaimed Cortez, with intense feeling. ‘« Nearly twenty-two years ago,”” he answered, and his eyes were moistened with tears, “a Spanish ship was wrecked on the eastern coast of this country. It was a terrific storm, and appeared as if heaven and earth, with the mighty deep, had conspired to render the scene memorable. On that ship were many souls, who, for days had been drifting before the tornado. Among them were two broth- ers— young men—and their wives. They each had a darling child, —one a girl, and the other a boy, both being about the same age —a little less than a year old.”” The man paused, wiped his eyes with the sleeve of his bloody robe, then proceeded : — ** When the wreck came in sight of the rocky coast, all hope of escape was abandoned. The wind still blew a hurricane, the sea was lashed into fury, and the ship tossed like a drunken thing. On she went toward the breakers, rushing furiously upon the rocks. She struck broadside, bounded away like a frightened gull, and trembled upon the crest of the receding wave; then, on she came again, stern fore- most. This time, there was a tremor, & crash, and the ship went te pieces. I was standing upon the prow of the ship, when she struck, and held one of the little children, the girl in my arms; while its mother clung to my waist to prevent being swept away by the waves, comcbdooks.com