1^0.164-16 5-166. MAYMARD'S 1^0^ ENGLISH-CLASSiC-SERlES .0 •CI ^• ^11 ^^^^.,.«^,,^^^ ii W.H.Presgott lii I NEW YORK Maynard, Mbrrili. 6c Co, 43, 45 &: 47 East 10I« St. ENGLISH CLASSIC SERIES, FOR Classes in English Literature, Beading, Grammar^ etc* EDITED BY EMINENT ENGLISH AND AMERICAN S0HOLAR9. Bach Volume contains a Sketch of the Author's Life, Prefatory and Explanatory Notes, etc., etc.: 1 Byron's Prophecy of Dante. (Cantos I. and II.) 2 Milton's I.' Allegro, and II Pen- seroso. 3 liord Bacon's Essays, Civil and Moral. (Selected.) 4 Byron's Prisoner of Chillon. 6 Moore's Fire 'Worshippers. (Lalla tlookh. Selected.) 6 Goldsmith's Deserted Village. 7 Scott's Marmion. (Selections from Canto VI.) 8 Scott's liay of the liast Minstrel. (Intro ■ 9 Burns' and o 10 Crabb* 11 Cam pi] (Abri( 1/S Macau Pilgr 13 Macau Poemi 14 ShakoE nice. in.,ai 15 Goldsn 16 Hogg's men^ 17 Coleri) 18 Addisc ley. 19 Gray's 31 Irving's Sketch Book. (Selec>^ tions.) ' 32 Dickens's Christmas Carol, i (Condensed.) 33 Carlyle's Hero as a Prophet. 34 Macaulay's Warren Hastings. ' (Condensed.) 35 Goldsmith's Vicar of Wake-;: field. (Condensed.) ' 36 Tennyson's The Two Voices and A Dream of Fair Women, 37 Memory Quotations. 38 Cavalier PoetSc . LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. nder's Feast, loe. of St. Agnes. of Sleepy Hol- from Shake- ) Teach Read- er Hill Ora- )rthoi3pist. A iciation. and Hymn spsis, and other Painters. Churchyard. 20 Scott's liady of the liake. (Canto 81 Shakespeare's As You Iiike It, etc. (Selections.) 2/8 Shakespeare's King John, and Richard II. (Selections.) 23 Shakespeare's Henry IV., Hen- ry v., Henry VI. (Selections.) 24 Shakespeare's Henry VIII., and Julius Caesar. (Selections.) 25 Wordsworth's Excursion. (Bk.I.) 36 Pope's Essay on Criticism. 27 Spenser'sFaerieQueene. (Cantos I. and IL) 28 Cowper's Task. (Book I.) 29 Milton's Comus. 30 Tennyson's Enoch Arden, The ILotus Eaterg, Ulysses, and Tlthoniw. ^ngr-x- tiw jniaH.«Bpeare Speaker. ^ 60 Thackeray's Roundabout Pa- pers. 51 Webster's Oration on Adams and Jefferson. 52 Brown's Rah and his Friends. 53 Morris's liife and Death of Jason. 54 Burke's Speech on American Taxation. 55 Pope's Rape of the In- densed.) 103-103 Macaulay's Essay on Mil- ton. 104-105 Macaulay's Bssay on Ad- dison. 106 Macaulay's well's Johnson. Biiay on Bos- 107 Mandevllle's Travels and Wy- cliffe's Bible. (Selections.) 102 109 Macaulay's Essay on Fred- erick tho Great. 110-111 Milton's Samson Agonls- tes. I 113-113-114 Franklin's Autobiog- 115-116 Herodotus's Stories of Croesus, Cyrus, and Babylon. 117 Irving' 8 Alhambra. 118 Burke's Present Discontents. 119 Burke's Speech on Concilia- tion with American Colonies. 130 Macaulay's Essay on Byron. 131-ia3 Motley's Peter the Great. 183 Emerson's American Scholar. 134 Arnold's Sohrab and Rustum. 135-136 liOngfellow's Evangeline. 137 Andersen's Danish Fairy Tales. (Selected.) 138 Tennyson's The Coming of Arthur, and The Passing of Arthur. 139 li well's ^ho Tislon of Sir liaunfal, and other Poems. 130 T7hittier'3 Songs of I0 the height of between seven and eight thousand feet, the weary traveller sets his foot on the summit of the Cordillera of the Andes — the colossal range that, after traversing I.] CLIMATE AND PRODUCTS. 3 Soutli America and the Isthmus of Darien, spreads out, as it enters Mexico, into that vast sheet of table land which maintains an elevation of more than six thousand feet, for 65 the distance of nearly two hundred leagues, until it gradually declines in the higher latitudes of the north. In the time of the Aztecs, the table land was thickly covered with larch, oak, cypress, and other forest trees, the extra- ordinary dimensions of some of which, remaining to the 70 present day, show that the curse of barrenness in later times is chargeable more on man than on nature. Indeed the early Spaniards made as indiscriminate war on the forests as did our Puritan ancestors, though with much less reason. Midway across the continent, somewhat nearer the Pacific 75 than the Atlantic ocean, at an elevation of nearly seven thousand five hundred feet, is the celebrated Yalley of Mexico. It is of an oval form, about sixty-seven leagues in cir- cumference, and is encompassed by a towering rampart of porphyritic rock, which nature seems to have provided, 80 though inefiectually, to protect it from invasion. The soil, once carpeted with a beautiful verdure and thickly sprinkled with stately trees, is often bare, and, in many places, white with the incrustation of salts, caused by the draining of the waters. Five lakes are spread over the 85 Valley, occupying one tenth of its surface. On the opposite borders of the largest of these basins, much shrunk in its dimensions since the days of the Aztecs, stood the cities of Mexico and Tezcuco, the capitals of the two most potent and flourishing states of Anahuac. 90 The Toltecs were the most conspicuous of the early races inhabiting this district: they in turn were followed by other tribes of higher civilization. The most noted of these were the Aztecs, or Mexicans, and the Tezcucans, so called from their capital, Tezcuco, on the eastern border of 95 the Mexican lake. The Mexicans, with whom our history is principally con- cerned, came from the remote regions of the north. They arrived on the borders of Anahuac towards the beginning of the thirteenth century. 100 4 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [l. In the early part of the fifteenth century was formed a remarkable league, which, indeed, has no parallel in history. It was agreed between the states of Mexico, Tezcuco, and the neighbouring little kingdom of Tlacopan, that they 105 should mutually support each other in their wars, offensive and defensive, and that, in the distribution of the spoil, one-fifth should be assigned to Tlacopan, and the remainder be divided, in what proportions is uncertain, between the other powers. During a century of uninterrupted warfare 110 that ensued, no instance occurred where the parties quar- relled over the division of the spoil, which so often makes shipwreck of similar confederacies among civilised states. At the beginning of the sixteenth century, just before the arrival of the Spaniards, the Aztec dominion reached 115 across the continent from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and, under the bold' and bloody Ahuitzotl, its arms had been carried far over the limits already noticed as defining its permanent territory, into the farthest corners of Guatemala and ITiearagua. CHAPTER 11. SPAIN UNDER CHAELES V. — PROGRESS OF DISCOVERT— CONQUEST OF CUBA — EXPEDITIONS TO YUCATAN. 1516-1518. IN the beginning of the sixteenth century, Spain occupied perhaps the most prominent position on the theatre of Europe. The numerous states, into which she had been so long divided, were consolidated into one monarchy. The Moslem crescent, after reigning there for eight centuries, 5 was no longer seen on her borders. The authority of the crown did not, as in later times, overshadow the inferior orders of the state. The people enjoyed the inestimable privilege of political representation, and exercised it with manly independence. The nation at large could boast as 10 great a degree of constitutional freedom, as any other, at that time, in Christendom. Under a system of salutary laws and an equitable administration, domestic tranquillity was secured, public credit established, trade, manufactures, and even the more elegant arts, began to flourish ; while 15- a higher education called forth the first blossoms of that literature, which was to ripen into so rich a harvest, before the close of the century. Arms abroad kept pace with arts at home. Spain found her empire suddenly enlarged, by important acquisitions, both in Europe and Africa, while a 20' New World beyond the waters poured into her lap treasures of countless wealth, and opened an unbounded field for honourable enterprise. Such was the condition of the kingdom at the close of the long and glorious reign of Ferdinand and Isabella, when, 25- on the 23rd of January, 1516, the sceptre passed into the 6 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [ll. hands of their daughter Joanna, or rather their grandson, Charles the Fifth, who alone ruled the monarchy during the long and imbecile existence of his unfortunate mother. 80 The progress of discovery had extended, by the beginning of Charles the Fifth's reign, from the Bay of Honduras, along the winding shores of Darien, and the South American continent, to the Eio de la Plata. The mighty barrier of the Isthmus had been climbed, and the Pacific descried, by S5 Nunez de Balboa, second only to Columbus in this valiant band of "ocean chivalry." The Bahamas and Caribbee Islands had been explored, as well as the Peninsula of Florida on the northern continent. To this latter point Sebastian Cabot had arrived in his descent along the coast 40 from Labrador, in 1497. So that before 1518, the period when our narrative begins, the eastern borders of both the great continents had been surveyed through nearly their whole extent. The shores of the great Mexican Gulf, how- ever, sweeping with a wide circuit far into the interior, 45 remained still concealed, with the rich realms that lay beyond, from the eye of the navigator. The time had now come for their discovery. Of the islands, Cuba was the second discovered ; but no attempt had been made to plant a colony there during the 60 lifetime of Columbus ; who, indeed, after skirting the whole extent of its southern coast, died in the conviction that it was part of the continent. At length, in 1511, Diego, the son and successor of the "Admiral," who still maintained the seat of government in Hispaniola, finding the mines 65 much exhausted there, proposed to occupy the neighbouring island of Cuba, or Fernandina, as it was called, in com- pliment to the Spanish monarch. He prepared a small force for the conquest, which he placed under the command of Don Diego Velasquez; a man described by a contem- 60 porary, as " possessed of considerable experience in military affairs, having served seventeen years in the European wars; as honest, illustrious by his lineage and reputation, covetous of glory, and somewhat more covetous of wealth." The portrait was sketched by no unfriendly hand. n.] COLONIAL P^ICT. 7 "Velasquez, or rather his lieutenant ITarvaez, who took 65 the office on himself of scouring the country, met with no serious opposition from the inhabitants, who were of the same family with the efifeminate natives of Hispaniola. The conquest, through the merciful interposition of Las Casas, " the protector of the Indians," who accompanied 70 the army in its march, was efifected without much bloodshed. After the conquest, Velasquez, now appointed governor, diligently occupied himself with measures for promoting the prosperity of the Island. He formed a number of settle- ments, bearing the same names with the modern towns, 75 and made St. Jago, on the south-east corner, the seat of government. He invited settlers by liberal grants of land and slaves. He encouraged them to cultivate the soil, and gave particular attention to the sugar-cane, so profitable an article of commerce in later times. He was, above all, 80 intent on working the gold mines, which promised better returns than those in Hispaniola. The affairs of his govern- ment did not prevent him, meanwhile, from casting many a wistful glance at the discoveries going forward on the con- tinent, and he longed for an opportunity to embark in these 85 golden adventures himself. Fortune gave him the occasion he desired. An hidalgo of Cuba, named Hernandez de Cordova, sailed with three vessels on an expedition to one of the neighbouring Bahama Islands, in quest of Indian slaves. 90 He encountered a succession of heavy gales which drove him far out of his course, and at the end of three weeks he found himself on a strange but unknown coast. On landing and asking the name of the country, he was answered by the natives, ^^Tectetan" meaning, "I do not understand 95 you," but which the Spaniards, misinterpreting into the name of the place, easily corrupted into Yucatan. Cordova had landed on the north-eastern end of the peninsula, at Cape Catoche. He was astonished at the size and solid material of the buildings constructed of stone and 100 lime, so different from the frail tenements of reeds and rushes which formed the habitations of the islanders. He 8 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [ll. was struck also with the higher cultivation of the soil, and with the delicate texture of the cotton garments and gold 105 ornaments of the natives. Everything indicated a civilisation far superior to anything he had before witnessed in the New World. He saw the evidence of a different race, moreover, in the warlike spirit of the people. Eumours of the Spaniards had, perhaps, preceded them, as they were 110 repeatedly asked if they came from the east; and wherever they landed, they were met with the most deadly hostility. Cordova himself, in one of his skirmishes with the Indians, received more than a dozen wounds, and one only of his party escaped unhurt. At length, when he had coasted the 115 peninsula as far as Campeachy, he returned to Cuba, which he reached after an absence of several months, having suffered all the extremities of ill, which these pioneers of the ocean were sometimes called to endure, and which none but the most courageous spirit could have survived. 120 As it was, half the original number, consisting of one hundred and ten men, perished, including their brave com- mander, who died soon after his return. The reports he had brought back of the country, and, still more, the specimens of curiously wrought gold, convinced Yelasquez 125 of the importance of this discovery, and he prepared with all despatch to avail himself of it. He accordingly fitted out a little squadron of four vessels for the newly-discovered lands, and placed it under the com- mand of his nephew, Juan de Grijalva, a man on whose 130 probity, prudence, and attachment to himself he knew he could rely. The fleet left the port of St. Jago de Cuba, May 1, 1518. It took the course pursued by Cordova, but was driven somewhat to the south, the first land that it made being the island of Cozumel. From this quarter 135 Grijalva soon passed over to the continent and coasted the peninsula, touching at the same places as his predecessor. Everywhere he was struck, like him, with the evidences of a higher civilisation, especially in the architecture ; as he well might be, since this was the region of those extra- 140 ordinary remains which have become recently the subject of II.] EXPEDITIONS TO YUCATAN. 9 so much speculation. He was astonished also at the sight of large stone crosses, evidently objects of worship, which he met with in various places. Eeminded by these circum- stances of his own country, he gave the peninsula the name " New Spain," a name since appropriated to a much wider 145 extent of territory. Wherever Grijalva landed, he experienced the same unfriendly reception as Cordova, though he suffered less, being better prepared to meet it. In the Rio de Tabasco or Grijalva, as it is often called, after him, he held an 150 amicable conference with a chief, who gave him a number of gold plates fashioned into a sort of armour. As he wound round the Mexican coast, one of his captains, Pedro de Alvarado, afterwards famous in the Conquest, entered a river, to which he also left his own name. In a neighbour- 155 ing stream, called the Bio de Vaiideras, or "River of Banners," from the ensigns displayed by the natives on its borders, Grijalva had the first communication with the Mexicans themselves. The cacique who ruled over this province had received 160 notice of the approach of the Europeans, and of their extra- ordinary appearance. He was anxious to collect all the information he could respecting them and the motives of their visit, that he might transmit them to his master, the Aztec emperor. A friendly conference took place between 165 the parties on shore, where Grijalva landed with all his force, so as to make a suitable impression on the mind of the barbaric chief. The intervieAv lasted some hours, though, as there was no one on either side to interpret the language of the other, they could communicate only by signs. They, 170 however, interchanged presents, and the Spaniards had the satisfaction of receiving, for a few worthless toys and trinkets, a rich treasure of jewels, gold ornaments and vessels, of the most fantastic forms and workmanship. Grijalva now thought that in this successful traffic — 175 successful beyond his most sanguine expectations — he had accomplished the chief object of his mission. He steadily refused the solicitations of his followers to plant a colony on 10 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [ll. tlie spot — a work of no little difficulty in so populous and 180 powerful a country as this appeared to be. To this, indeed, he was inclined, but deemed it contrary to his instructions, which limited him to barter with the natives. He therefore despatched Alvarado in one of the caravels back to Cuba, with the treasure and such intelligence as he had gleaned 185 of the great empire in the interior, and then pursued his voyage along the coast. When Alvarado had returned to Cuba with his golden freight, and the accounts of the rich empire of Mexico which he had gathered from the natives, the heart of the governor 190 swelled with rapture as he saw his dreams of avarice and ambition so likely to be realised. Impatient of the long absence of Grijalva, he despatched a vessel in search of him under the command of Olid, a cavalier, who took an important part afterwards in the Conquest. Finally he resolved to 195 fit out another armament on a sufficient scale to insure the subjugation of the country. CHAPTER III. HERNANDO CORTES — HIS EARLY LIFE — VISITS THE NEW WORLD — HIS RESIDENCE IN CUBA — DIFFICULTIES WITH VELASQUEZ — ARMADA INTRUSTED TO CORTES. 1518. HERNANDO CORTES was born at Medellin, a town in the south-east corner of Estremadura, in 1485. He came of an ancient and respectable family. His father, Martin Cortes de Monroy, was a captain of infantry, in moderate circumstances, but a man of unblemished honour. 5 In his infancy Cortes is said to have had a feeble consti- tution, which strengthened as he grew older. At fourteen he was sent to Salamanca, as his father, who conceived great hopes from his quick and showy parts, proposed to educate him for the law, a profession which held out better induce- 10 ments to the young aspirant than any other. The son, how- ever, did not conform to these views. He showed little fondness for books, and after loitering away two years at college returned home, to the great chagrin of his parents. He now passed his days in the idle, unprofitable manner of 15 one who, too wilful to be guided by others, proposes no object to himself. His buoyant spirits were continually breaking out in troublesome frolics and capricious humours, quite at variance with the orderly habits of his father's household. He showed a particular inclination for the 20 military profession, or rather for the life of adventure to which in those days it was sure to lead. And when, at the age of seventeen, he proposed to enrol himself under the banners of the Great Captain, his parents, probably thinking a life of hardship and hazard abroad preferable to one of 25 idleness at home, made no objection. 12 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [ill. Two years longer he remained at home. At length he availed himself of an opportunity presented by the departure of a small squadron of vessels bound to the Indian islands. 30 After a stormy voyage the convoy put safely into port at Hispaniola. Cortes was kindly welcomed by the governor, to whom he had been previously known in Spain, and received a grant of land with a " re2:)artimiento " of Indians. Here Cortes remained seven years, occasionally taking part 35 in the military expeditions for suppressing the insurrection of the natives. At length, in 1511, when Velasquez undertook the conquest of Cuba, Cortes willingly abandoned his quiet life, and took part in the expedition. After the reduction of the island he was held in high esteem by 40 Velasquez, now appointed its governor. These amicable relations, however, did not last long, and Cortes joined the disaffected party, who were tolerably numerous, in the island. He was deputed by the leaders of the party to lay their complaints before the higher authorities in Hispaniola. 45 Velasquez, however, gained knowledge of the scheme, and arrested Cortes on the eve of his departure. Twice did Cortes make his escape from prison, only to be re-captured. At length, through the mediation of friends, a reconciliation is brought about, and he is even restored to favour, receiving 50 large grants of land in the neighbourhood of St. Jago. For the next two years he devoted himself to agriculture, and by a course of industry amassed a considerable sum of money. Such was the state of things when Alvarado returned with the tidings of Grijalva's discoveries. Velasquez 55 resolved to send out a considerable armament, and began to look round for a suitable person to share the expenses of it, and to take the command. After some hesitation he is persuaded by the royal treasurer and his own secretary to appoint Cortes, in spite of their former differences. 60 Cortes had now attained the object of his wishes. And from this hour his deportment seemed to undergo a change. His thoughts, instead of evaporating in empty levities or idle flashes of merriment, were wholly concen- trated on the great object to which he was devoted. His III.] ARMADA INTEUSTED TO CORTl^S. 13 elastic spirits were shown in cheering and stimulating the 65 companions of his toilsome duties, and he was roused to a generous enthusiasm, of which even those who knew him best had not conceived him capable. He applied at once all the money in his possession to fitting out the armament. He raised more by the mortgage of his estates, and by giving 70 his obligations to some wealthy merchants of the place, who relied for their reimbursement on the success of the expe- dition ; and, when his own credit was exhausted, he availed himself of that of his friends. The funds thus acquired he expended in the purchase of 75 vessels, provisions, and military stores, while he invited recruits by offers of assistance to such as were too poor to provide for themselves, and by the additional promise of a liberal share of the anticipated profits. All was now bustle and excitement in the little town of 80 St. Jago. Some were busy in refitting the vessels, and getting them ready for the voyage ; some in providing naval stores ; others in converting their own estates into money in order to equip themselves ; everyone seemed anxious to contribute in some way or other to the success of the expe- 85 dition. Six ships, some of them of a large size, had already been procured, and three hundred recruits enrolled them- selves in the course of a few days, eager to seek their fortunes under the banner of this daring and popular chieftain. 90 The importance given to Cortes by his new position, and, perhaps, a somewhat more lofty bearing, gradually gave uneasiness to the naturally suspicious temper of Yelasquez, who became apprehensive that his officer, when away where he would have the power, might also have the inclination, 95 to throw off his dependence on him altogether. There were not wanting persons about his Excellency, who fanned the latent embers of jealousy into a blaze, and who wrought on the passions of Yelasquez to such a degree that he resolved to entrust the expedition to other hands. 100 Cortes was speedily informed of the change in the governor's intentions, and though he had not yet got his complement of 14 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [ill. men, nor of vessels, and was very inadequately provided with supplies of any kind, he resolved to weigh anchor that 105 very night. He waited on his officers, informed them of his purpose, and probably of the cause of it; and at midnight, when the town was hushed in sleep, they all went quietly on board, and the little squadron dropped down the bay. First, however, Cortes had visited the person whose 110 business it was to supply the place with meat, and relieved him of all his stock on hand, notwithstanding his complaint that the city must suffer for it on the morrow, leaving him, at the same time, in payment, a massive gold chain of much value, which he wore round his neck. 115 Great was the amazement of the good citizens of St. Jago, when, at dawn, they saw that the fleet, which they knew was so ill prepared for the voyage, had left its moorings and was busily ' getting under way. The tidings soon came to the ears of his Excellency, who, springing from his bed, 120 hastily dressed himself, mounted his horse, and, followed by his retinue, galloped down to the quay. Cortes, as soon as he descried their approach, entered an armed boat, and came within speaking distance of the shore. " And is it thus you part from me!" exclaimed Velasquez; "a courteous 125 way of taking leave, truly!" "Pardon me," answered Cortes, "time presses, and there are some things that should be done before they are even thought of. Has your Excellency any commands ?" But the mortified governor had no commands to give ; and Cortes, politely waving his 130 hand, returned to his vessel, and the little fleet instantly made sail for the port of Macaca, about fifteen leagues distant. Erom Macaca, where Cortes laid in such stores as he could obtain from the royal farms, and which, he said, he 135 considered as "a loan from the king," he proceeded to Trinidad ; a more considerable town, on the southern coast of Cuba. Here he landed, and erecting his standard in front of his quarters, made proclamation, with liberal offers to all who would join the expedition. Volunteers came in 140 daily, and among them more than a hundred of Grijalva's III.] STRENGTH OF HIS AEMAMENT. 15 men, just returned from their voyage, and willing to follow up the discovery under an enterprising leader. As Cortes was willing to strengthen himself hy still further reinforcements, he ordered Alvarado with a small hody of men to march across the country to the Havana, 145 while he himself would sail round the westerly point of the island, and meet him there with the squadron. In this port he again displayed his standard, making the usual proclamation. At last all preparations were made, and on the 10th of 150 February, 1519, the little squadron got under way, and directed its course towards Cape St. Antonio, the appointed place of rendezvous.^ When all were brought together, the vessels were found to be eleven in number; one of them, in which Cortes himself went, was of a hundred tons' i55 burden, three others were from seventy to eighty tons, the remainder were caravels and open brigantines. The whole was put under the direction of Antonio de Alamino's, as chief pilot ; a veteran navigator, who had acted as pilot to Columbus in his last voyage, and to Cordova and Grijalva 160 in the former expeditions to Yucatan. Landing on the Cape and mustering his forces, Cortes found they amounted to one hundred and ten mariners, five hundred and fifty-three soldiers, including thirty -two cross- bow-men, and thirteen arquebusiers, besides two hundred 165 Indians of the island, and a few Indian women for menial of&ces. He was provided with ten heavy guns, four lighter pieces called falconets, and with a good supply of ammu- nition. He had besides sixteen horses. They were not easily procured, for the difficulty of transporting them 170 across the ocean in the flimsy craft of that day made them rare and incredibly dear in the islands. But Cortes right- fully estimated the importance of cavalry, however small in number, both for their actual service in the field, and for striking terror into the savages. With so paltry a force did 175 he enter on a conquest which even his stout heart must have shrunk from attempting with such means had he but foreseen half its real difficulties ! 16 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [ill. Before embarking, Cortes addressed his soldiers in a 180 short but animated harangue. He told them they were about to enter on a noble enterprise, one that would make their name famous to after ages. He was leading them to countries more vast and opulent than any yet visited by Europeans. " I hold out to you a glorious prize," continued 185 the orator, "but it is to be won by incessant toil. Great things are achieved only by great exertions, and glory was never the reward of sloth. If I have laboured hard and staked my all on this undertaking, it is for the love of that renown, which is the noblest recompense of 190 man. But, if any among you covet riches more, be but true to me, as I will be true to you and to the occasion, and I will make you masters of such as our countrymen have never dreamed of. You are few in number, but strong in resolution ; and, if this does not falter, doubt not but 195 that the Almighty, who has never deserted the Spaniard in his contest with the infidel, will shield you, though encompassed by a cloud of enemies ; for your cause is a just cause, and you are to fight under the banner of the cross. Go forward then," he concluded, " with alacrity and confi- 200 dence, and carry to a glorious issue the work so auspiciously begun." Mass was then celebrated with the solemnities usual with the Spanish navigators when entering on their voyages of discovery. The fleet was placed under the immediate 205 protection of St. Peter, the patron saint of Cortes ; and weighing anchor took its departure for the coast of Yucatan. CHAPTER lY. VOYAGE TO COZUMEL — CONVERSION OF THE NATIVES— JEKONIMO DE AGIJILAR — ARMY ARRIVES AT TABASCO — GREAT BATTLE WITH THE INDIANS — CHRISTIANITY INTRODUCED. 1519. ORDERS were given for the vessels to keep as near together as possible, and to take the direction of the eapitana, or admiral's ship, which carried a beacon light in the stern during the night. But the weather, which had been favourable, changed soon after their departure, and one 5 of those tempests set in, which at this season are often found in the latitudes of the West Indies. It fell with terrible force on the little navy, scattering it far asunder, •dismantling some of the ships, and driving them all con- siderably south of their proposed destination. 10 Cortes, who had lingered behind to convoy a disabled vessel, reached the island of Gozumel last. His first object was to gather tidings of some unfortunate Christians who were reported to be still lingering in captivity taken in t}ie Gulf of Mexico, 200 mil^s from the capital, 96 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [VI- 265 Panache. The helmets of the Mexicans were sometimes of wood fashioned like the heads of wild animals, sometimes of silver, on the top of which waved a panache of variegated plumes, sprinkled with precious stones and ornaments of gold. They also wore collars, bracelets, and earrings of the same precious materials. 280 Pesos d'oro. The peso d'oro was worth £2 12s. 6d, VI. 26 Sierra. Sierra means in Spanish a saw. Hence, a ridge of mountains and craggy rocks. 102 Alcaldes. Justices of the peace. 105 RegidoreSy aldermen ; alguacil, high constable. 157 Agave (aloe, maguey). "A miracle of Nature is the Mexican aloe, whose clustering pyramids of flowers, towering above their dark coronal of leaves, are to be seen sprinkled over many a broad acre of the table land." Its bruised leaves afforded a paste from which paper was manufactured ; its juice was fermented into an intoxicating beverage, pulque, of which the natives to this day are excessively fond. Its leaves further supplied an impenetrable thatch for the more humble dwellings. Thread, of which coarse stuff was made, and strong cords, were drawn from its tough and twisted fibres ; pins and needles were made of the thorns at the extremity of its leaves ; and the root, when properly cooked, was converted into a nutritious and palatable food. The agave, in short, was meat, drink, clothing, and writing material for the Aztec. 161 Mutilated corpses of victims. Human sacrifice formed a regular part of the Aztec ritual. Prisoners were offered to the god of war ; children were especially acceptable to the god of rain. On great occasions, as the coronation of a king or the consecration of the temple, the number of victims becomes appalling. At the dedication of the great temple of the war god, we are told that when the prisoners intended for sacrifice were ranged in files a procession was formed extending nearly two miles. The ceremony lasted several days, and seventy thousand captives are said to have perished at the shrine. It was customary to preserve the skulls of the sacrificed in buildings appropriated to the purpose. The companions of Cortez counted one hundred and thirty thousand in one of these edifices. 174 Flowering parasites. The name parasites has been given to those plants which are nourished at the expense of other living organisms. It does not always follow that parasites injure their host while drawing nourishment from them. Some are perfectly in accord with them. The mistletoe is the best example of a parasite. A traveller in Mexico in later times gives the following description of a similar scene : " Wherever the creepers may have neglected trunk Oj bough, prolific parasites, gay with taper le^f and gorgeous blossom, -VIl] NOTES. 97 hasten to perform their part in the fairy work of Nature. The flowers of the parasites have little scent, but the profusion of white, yellow, and red, blended with the countless shades of green, charm the eye with tints as various as they are magnificent." 258 Carrying off young men . . . to be sacrificed to his deities. The need of victims for sacrifice accounts for the constant wars of the Aztecs. Hence it was that an enemy was never slain in battle if there was a chance of taking him alive. Another method of supplying the altars was to demand from the tributary cities a certain number of their young men as a punishment for the non-fulfilment of their obligations, or for the display of any independent spirit. It is only natural that the native states on the frontier of Anahuac should welcome the Spaniards as protectors, and prosecute the war against their cruel rulers with zeal when the time for vengeance arrived. VII. 63 Cannibal repasts. The body of the captive, who had been sacrificed in the temple, was delivered to the warrior who had taken him in battle, and by him, after being dressed, was served up at an entertainment to his friends. 65 Teocallis. The Mexican temples, 'teocallis,* as they were called, were very numerous. There were several hundred in each of the principal cities. They were solid masses of earth, cased with brick or stone. The bases of many of them were more than a hundred feet square, and they towered to a still greater height. They were dis- tributed into four or five stories, each of smaller dimensions than that below. The ascent was by a flight of steps on the outside. This flight led to a sort of terrace at the base of the second story, which passed quite round the building to another flight of stairs directly over the former, and leading to a similar terrace in the next story ; so that one had to make the circuit of the temple several times before reaching the summit. The top was a broad area, on which were erected one or two towers, forty or fifty feet high, in which stood the sacred images of the presiding deities. Before these towers stood the stone of sacrifice and two lofty altars, on which fires were kept unceasingly burning. 196 Benefit of clergy. The clergy claimed the right to be tried before men of their order in their own courts, instead of in the civil courts. In most instances, if punished at all, the punishment was very slight. 198 Would that I had never learned to write. An exclamation of Nero as reported by Suetonius. (" Quam vellem," inquit, "nescire litteras." — Lib. vi. cap. 10.) 216 He came to the daring resolution to destroy the fleet. The Emperor Julian, in his unfortunate Assyrian expedition, burnt the fleet which had carried his army up the Tigris. (See Gibbon, ix. p. 177.) To burn one's boats has become a familiar figure of speech implying a desperate resolve, H 98 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [VIII-X VIII. 21 Drug raised in its environs. Jalap, x and j being interchangeable letters in Spanish. 53 Scoriae. The cold and hardened mass carried down by the lava stream of a volcano, consisting of melted minerals and stony matter. 73 Orgamim. "The huge organo- cactus, with its tree-like stem, often two feet in diameter and ten feet high, sends up its stiff straight branches to a height of thirty or forty feet from the ground, while the smaller species mingle in thousands with the shrubs and bushes near the ground. " 90 Bernard Diaz. The chronicle of Bernard Diaz is one of the most important authorities for the history of the conquest of Mexico. Diaz took part in the expeditions of Cordova and Grijalva, and finally enlisted under the banner of Cortes. He bore a part in every action of importance during the whole war, and proved on every occasion true to his leader. He writes as a rude soldier, and the literary merits of his work, as was to be expected, are of a very humble order. As an eye-witness, however, of all the incidents of the campaign, his statement of facts is most valuable, and his pictures of the soldier's life and hardships full of romantic interest. Ill Revenues were enori7ious. The royal revenues were derived from various sources. The crown lands were extensive, and made their return in kind, being assigned for cultivation to some of the principal cities. The places in the neighbourhood of the capital were bound to supply workmen and materials for repairing the king's palaces, and to furnish fuel and provisions for his maintenance. The vassals of the great chiefs paid a portion of their earnings into the public treasury. There was also a tax on all manufactures, and the taxes were every- where collected by the tax-gatherers with merciless rigour. 236 Cyclopean. Rough masonry, consisting of huge blocks of stone, such as are to be seen in the ruins of the walls of Tiryns (Argolis), were attributed to the Cyclops. IX. 25 Otoinie. The Otomies were a warlike race originally spread over the table-land north of the Mexican Valley. They gave energetic support to the republic of Tlascala in its efforts to maintain its independence against the growing power of the Aztecs. A con- siderable body of Otomies migrated at one time to Tlascala, and were incorporated in the armies of the republic. 76 Maguey. The same as the agave or aloe. See note on chapter vi. line 157. X. 76 Itzli, or obsidian, was a dark, transparent mineral, ex- ceedingly hard, found in abundance in the hills. The Aztecs made it into knives, razors, and their serrated swords. It took a keen edge, though soon blunted. THE CONQUEST OF MEXICO VOLUME TWO CONTENTS Page NOTE , . . . . • . ix CHAPTER I. • MARCH TO CHOLULA — RECEPTION OF THE SPANIARDS— CONSPIRACY DETECTED — TERRIBLE MASSACRE — TRANQUILLITY RESTORED —ENVOYS FROM MONTEZUMA . . . . 1 CHAPTER II. MARCH RESUMED — VALLEY OF MEXICO — IMPRESSION ON THE SPANIARDS— CONDUCT OF MONTEZUMA— THEY DESCEND INTO THE VALLEY . . . ... 11 CHAPTER III. ENVIRONS OF MEXICO— INTERVIEW WITH MONTEZUMA— ENTRANCE INTO THE CAPITAL— HOSPITABLE RECEPTION— VISIT TO THE EMPEROR . . . ... 19 CHAPTER IV. ANXIETY OP CORTES— SEIZURE OF MONTEZUMA— HIS TREATMENT BY THE SPANIARDS— EXECUTION OP HIS OFFICERS— MONTE- ZUMA IN IRONS . . . . . . 28 CHAPTER V. Montezuma's deportment— his life in the Spanish quarters — meditated insurrection — LORD OF TEZOUCO SEIZED^ FURTHER MEASURES OF CORTES . . . . 36 CHAPTER YI. MONTEZUMA SWEARS ALLEGIANCE TO SPAIN— ROYAL TREASURES — THEIR DIVISION — CHRISTIAN WORSHIP IN THE TEOCALLI — DISCONTENTS OF THE AZTECS— CORTES LEAVES THE CAPITAL 43 CONTENTS. CHAPTER VII. Page INSURRECTION IN THE CAPITAL — RETURN OF CORTES— GENERAL SIGNS OF HOSTILITY — MASSACRE BT ALVARADO — RISING OF THE AZTECS . . . ... 52 CHAPTER VIII. DESPERATE ASSAULT ON THE QUARTERS — FURT OF THE MEXICANS — SALLY OF THE SPANIARDS— MONTEZUMA ADDRESSES THE PEOPLE— DANGEROUSLY WOUNDED . . . . 58 CHAPTER IX. STORMING OF THE GREAT TEMPLE — SPIRIT OP THE AZTECS — DISTRESSES OF THE GARRISON —SHARP COMBATS IN THE CITY — DEATH OF MONTEZUMA . . . . 69 CHAPTER X. COUNCIL OF WAR— SPANIARDS EVACUATE THE CITY— NOCHE TRISTE, OR THE "melancholy NIGHT " — TERRIBLE SLAUGHTER — HALT FOR THE NIGHT- -AMOUNT OF LOSSES . . . 80 SUMMARY . 97 NOTES ,. • • • • MAP OP CENTRAL AMERICA • • • • . viii CONQUEST OF MEXICO CHAPTEK I. MAECH TO CHOLULA— RECEPTION OF THE SPANIARDS— COilSPIRACT DETECTED— TERRIBLE MASSACRE— TRANQUILLITY RESTORED — ENVOYS FROM MONTEZUMA. 1519. OK the appointed morning the Spanish army took np its march to Mexico by the way of Chohila. It was followed by crowds of the citizens, filled with admiration at the intrepidity of men who, so few in number, would venture to brave the great Montezuma in his capital. Yet 5 an immense body of warriors offered to share the dangers of the expedition ; but Cortes, while he showed his gratitude for their good- will, selected only six thousand _ of the volunteers to bear him company. He was unwilling to encumber himself with an unwieldy force that might impede 10 his movements ; and probably did not care to put himself so far in the power of allies whose attachment was too recent to afford sufficient guaranty for their fidehty. After crossing some rough and hilly ground, the army entered on the wide plain which spreads out for miles 15 around Cholula. At the elevation of more than six thou- sand feet above the sea they beheld the rich products of various climes growing side by side, fields of towering maize, the juicy aloe, the chilli or Aztec pepper, and large plantations of the cactus, on which the brilliant cochineal is 20 nourished. Towards evening they reached a small streani, on the banks of which Cortes determined to take up his VOL. IL B 2 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [l. quarters for the night, being unwilling to disturb the tran- quillity of the city by introducing so large a force into it at 25 an unseasonable hour. Here he was soon joined by a number of Cholulan caciques and their attendants, who came to view and welcome the strangers. When they saw their Tlascalan enemies in the camp, however, they exhibited signs of displeasure, and 30 intimated an apprehension that their presence in the town might occasion disorder. The remonstrance seemed reason- able to Cortes, and he accordingly commanded his allies to remain in their present quarters, and to join him as he left the city on the way to Mexico. 35 On the following morning he made his entrance at the head of his army into Cholula, attended by no other Indians than those from Cempoalla, and a handful of Tlascalans to take charge of the baggage. As the troops drew near the city, the road was lined with swarms of people of both sexes 40 and every age — old men tottering with infirmity, women with children in their arms — all eager to catch a glimpse of the strangers, whose persons, weapons, and horses were objects of intense curiosity to eyes which had not hitherto ever encountered them in battle. They showed the same delicate 45 taste for flowers as the other tribes of the plateau, decorating their persons with them, and tossing garlands and bunches among the soldiers. An immense number of priests mingled with the crowd, swinging their aromatic censers, while music from various kinds of instruments gave a lively welcome to 50 the visitors, and made the whole scene one of gay, bewildering enchantment. The Spaniards were also struck with the cleanliness of the city, the width and great regularity of the streets, which seemed to have been laid out on a settled plan, with the 55 solidity of the houses, and the number and size of the pyramidal temples. In the court of one of these, and its surrounding buildings, they were quartered. They were soon visited by the principal lords of the place, who seemed solicitous to provide them with accommodations. 60 Their table was plentifully supplied, and, in short, they I.] MAECH TO CHOLULA. 3 experienced such attentions as were calculated to dissipate their suspicions, and made them impute those of their Tlascalan friends to prejudice and old national hostility. In a few days the scene changed. Messengers arrived from Montezuma, who, after a short and unpleasant intima- 65 tion to Cortes that his approach occasioned much disquietude to their master, conferred separately with the Mexican ambassadors still in the Castilian camp, and then departed, taking one of the latter along with them. From this time, the deportment of their Cholulan hosts underwent a visible 70 alteration. They did not visit the quarters as before, and, when invited to do so, excused themselves on pretence of illness. The supply of provisions was stinted, on the ground that they were short of maize. These symptoms of alienation, independently of temporary embarrassment, caused 75 serious alarm in the breast of Cortes, for the future. His apprehensions were not allayed by the reports of the Cempo- allans, who told him that, in wandering round the city, they had seen several streets barricadoed; the flat roofs of the houses, loaded with huge stones and other missiles, as if 80 preparatory to an assault ; and in some places they had found holes covered over with branches, and upright stakes planted within, as if to embarrass the movements of the cavalry. These tidings confirmed the worst suspicions of Cortes, who had no doubt that some hostile scheme was in agitation. If 85 he had felt any, a discovery by Marina, the good angel of the expedition, would have turned these doubts into certainty. The amiable manners of the Indian girl had won her the regard of the wife of one of the caciques, who repeatedly urged Marina to visit her house, darkly intimating, that in 90 this way she would escape the fate that awaited the Spaniards. The interpreter, seeing the importance of obtaining further intelligence at once, pretended to be pleased with the proposal, and affected, at the same time, great discontent with the white men, by whom she was detained in captivity. 95 Thus throwing the credulous Cholulan off her guard, Marina gTadually insinuated herself into her confidence, so far as to draw from her a fuU account of the conspiracy." 4 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [l. It originated, she said, with the Aztec emperor, who had 100 sent rich bribes to the great caciques, and to her husband among others, to secure them in his views. The Spaniards were to be assaulted as they marched out of the capital, when entangled in its streets, in which numerous impediments had been placed to throw the cavalry into disorder. A force of 105 twenty thousand Mexicans was already quartered at no great distance from the city, to support the Cholulans in the assault. It was confidently expected that the SjDaniards, thus embarrassed in their movements, would fall an easy prey to the superior strength of their enemy. A sufficient number 110 of prisoners was to be reserved to grace the sacrifices of Cholula ; the rest were to be led in fetters to the capital of Montezuma. While this conversation was going on, Marina occupied herself with putting up such articles of value and wearing 115 apparel as she proposed to take with her in the evening, when she could escape unnoticed from the Spanish quarters to the house of her Cholulan friend, who assisted her in the operation. Leaving her visitor thus employed, Marina found an opportunity to steal away for a few moments, and, going 120 to the general's apartment, disclosed to him her discoveries. He immediately caused the cacique's wife to be seized, and on examination she fully confirmed the statement of his Indian mistress. The intelligence thus gathered by Cortes filled him with 125 the deepest alarm. He was fairly taken in the snare. To fight or to fly seemed equally difficult. He was desirous to obtain still further confirmation and particulars of the conspiracy. He accordingly induced two of the priests in the neighbourhood, one of them a person of 130 much influence in the place, to visit his quarters. By courteous treatment, and liberal largesses of the rich presents he had received from Montezuma, he drew from them a full confirmation of the previous report. The emperor had been in a state of pitiable vacillation since the arrival of the 135 Spaniards. His first orders to the Cholulans were, to receive the strangers kindly. He had recently consulted his oracles I.] CONSPIRACY DETECTED. 5 anew, and obtained for answer, tliat Cholula would be the grave of his enemies ; for the gods would be sure to support him in avenging the sacrilege offered to the Holy City. So confident were the Aztecs of success, that numerous manacles, 140 or poles with thongs which served as such, were already in the place to secure the prisoners. Cortes, now feeling himself fully possessed of the facts, dismissed the priests, with injunctions of secrecy, scarcely necessary. He told them it was his purpose to leave the 145 city on the following morning, and requested that they would induce some of the principal caciques to grant him an inter- view in his quarters. When the caciques, persuaded by the priests, appeared before Cortes, he contented himself with gently rebuking 150 their want of hospitality, and assured them the Spaniards would be no longer a burden to their city, as he pro- posed to leave it early on the following morning. He requested, moreover, that they would furnish a reinforce- ment of two thousand men to transport his artillery and 155 baggage. The chiefs, after some consultation, acquiesced in a demand which might in some measure favour their own designs. On their departure, the general summoned the Aztec ambassadors before him. He briefly acquainted them with 160 his detection of the treacherous plot to destroy his army, the contrivance of which, he said, was imputed to their master, Montezuma. It grieved him much, he added, to find the emperor implicated in so nefarious a scheme, and that the Spaniards must now march as enemies against the 165 prince, whom they had hoped to visit as a friend. The ambassadors, with earnest protestations, asserted their entire ignorance of the conspiracy ; and their belief that Montezuma was equally innocent of a crime, which they charged wholly on the Cholulans. Cortes affected to give 170 credit to the assertion of the envoys, and declared his unwillingness to believe, that a monarch, who had rendered the Spaniards so many friendly offices, would now consum- mate the whole by a. deed of such imparalleled basejiess, 6 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [l. 175 The discovery of their twofold duplicity, he added, sharpened his resentment against the Cholulans, on whom he would take sucli vengeance as should amply requite the injuries done both to Montezuma and the Spaniards. He then dismissed the ambassadors, taking care, notwithstanding this 180 show of confidence, to place a strong guard over them, to prevent communication with the citizens. That night was one of deep anxiety to the army. Their vigilant general took all possible precautions for their safety, increasing the number of the sentinels, and posting 185 his guns in such a manner as to protect the approaches to the camp. Every Spaniard lay down in his arms, and every horse stood saddled and bridled, ready for instant service. But no assault was meditated by the Indians, and the still- ness of the hour was undisturbed except by the occasional 190 sounds heard in a populous city, even when buried in slumber, and the hoarse cries of the priests from the turrets of the teocallis, proclaiming through their trumpets the watches of the night. With the first streak of morning light, Cortes was seen on 195 horseback, directing the movements of his little band. The strength of his forces he drew up in the great square or court, surrounded partly by buildings, and in part by a high w^all. There were three gates of entrance, at each of Avhich he placed a strong guard. The rest of his troops, with his great 200 guns, he posted without the enclosure, in such a manner as to command the avenues, and secure those within from interruption in their bloody work. Orders had been sent the night before to the Tlascalan chiefs to hold themselves ready, at a concerted signal, to march into the city and join 205 the Spaniards. The arrangements were hardly completed, before the Cholulan caciques appeared, leading a body of levies even more numerous than had been demanded. They were marched at once into the square, commanded, as we have 210 seen, by the Spanish infantry, which was drawn up under the walls. Cortes then took some of the caciques aside. With a stern air, he bluntly charged them with th§ l] TERRIBLE MASSACRE. 7 conspiracy, showing that he was well acquainted with all the particulars. The Cholulans were thunderstruck at the accusation, 215 An undefined awe crept over them as they gazed on the mysterious strangers, and felt themselves in the presence of beings who seemed to have the power of reading the thoughts scarcely formed in their bosoms. There was no use in prevarication or denial before such judges. They 220 confessed the whole, and endeavoured to excuse themselves by throwing the blame on Montezuma. Cortes, assuming an air of higher indignation at this, assured them that the pretence should not serve, since, even if well founded, it would be no justification ; and he would now make such an 225 example of them for their treachery, that the report of it should ring throughout the wide borders of Anahuac ! _ The fatal signal, the discharge of an arquebuse, was then given. In an instant every musket and crossbow was levelled at the unfortunate Cholulans in the courtyard, and a frightful 230 volley poured into them as they stood crowded together hke a herd of deer in the centre. They were taken by surprise, for they had not heard the preceding dialogue with the chiefs. They made scarcely any resistance to the Spaniards, who followed up the discharge of their pieces by 235 rushing on them with their swords ; and, as the half-naked bodies of the natives afforded no protection, they hewed them down with as much ease as the reaper mows down the ripe corn in harvest time. Some endeavoured to scale the walls, but only afforded a surer mark to the arquebusiers 240 and archers. Otliers threw themselves into the gateways, but were received on the long pikes of the soldiers who guarded them. Some few had better luck in hiding them- selves under the heaps of slain with which the ground was soon loaded. . 245 While this work of death was going on, the countrymen of the slaughtered Indians, drawn together by the noise of the massacre, had commenced a furious assault on the Spaniards from without. But Cortes had placed his battery of heavy guns in a position that commanded the 250 8 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [l. avenues, and swept off the files of the assailants as they Tushed on. While this fierce struggle was going forward, the Tlasca- lans, hearing the concerted signal, had advanced with quick 255 pace into the city. They had bound, by order of Cortes, wreaths of sedge round their heads, that they might the more surely be distinguished from the Cholulans. Coming up in the very heat of the engagement, they fell on the de- fenceless rear of the townsmen, who, trampled down under 260 the heels of the Castilian cavalry on one side, and galled by their vindictive enemies on the other, could no longer main- tain their ground. They gave way, some taking refuge in the nearest buildings, which, being partly of wood, were speedily set on fire. Others fled to the temples. One strong 265 party, with a number of priests at its head, got possession of the great teocaUi. AU was now confusion and uproar in the fair city which had so lately reposed in security and peace. The groans of the dying, the frantic supplications of the vanquished for 270 mercy, were mingled with the loud battle-cries of the Spaniards as they rode down their enemy, and with the shrill whistle of the Tlascalans, who gave full scope to the long cherished rancour of ancient rivalry. The tumult was still further swelled by the incessant rattle of musketry, 275 and the crash of falling timbers, which sent up a volume of flame that outshone the ruddy light of morning, making altogether a hideous confusion of sights and sounds, that converted the Holy City into a Pandemonium. As resist- ance slackened, the victors broke into the houses and sacred 280 places, plundering them of whatever valuables they con- tained, plate, jewels, which were found in some quantity, wearing apparel and provisions, the two last coveted even more than the former by the simple Tlascalans, thus facili- tating a division of the spoil, much to the satisfaction of 285 their Christian confederates. These scenes of violence had lasted some hours, when Cortes, moved by the entreaties of some Cholulan chiefs, who had been reserved from the massacre, backed by the prayers I.] TEANQUILLITY KESTOEEP. 9 of the Mexican envoys, consented, out of regard, as he said, to the latter, the representatives of Montezuma, to call off 290. the soldiers, and put a stop, as well as he could, to further outrage. Two of the caciques were also permitted to go to their countrymen with assurances of pardon and protection to all who would return to their obedience. These measures had their effect. By the joint efforts of 295 Cortes and the caciques, the tumult was with much difficulty appeased. The assailants, Spaniards and Indians, gathered under their respective banners, and the Cholulans, relying on the assurance of their chiefs, gradually returned to their homes. 300 Whatever be thought of this transaction in a moral view, as a stroke of policy it was unquestionable. The nations of Anahuac had beheld, with admiration mingled with awe, the little band of Christian warriors steadily advancing along the plateau in face of every obstacle. 305 The prowess of the Spaniards — the " white gods," as they were often called — made them to be thought invincible. But it was not till their arriyal at Cholula that the natives learned how teriible was their vengeance — and they trembled! Some of the most important cities in the neighbourhood 310 of Cholula, intimidated by the fate of that capital, now sent their envoys to the Castilian camp, tendering their allegiance, and propitiating the favour of the strangers by rich presents of gold and slaves. Montezuma, alarmed at these signs of defection, took counsel again of his impotent deities ; but, 315 although the altars smoked with fresh hecatombs of human victims, he obtained no cheering response. He determined, therefore, to send envoys to the Spaniards, disavowing any participation in the conspiracy of Cholula. They were charged, as usual, with a rich present of plate 320 and ornaments of gold ; among others, artificial birds in imitation of turkeys, with plumes of the same precious metal. To these were added fifteen hundred cotton dresses of delicate fabric. The emperor even expressed his regret at the catastrophe of Cholula, vindicated himself from any 325 share in the conspiracy, which, he said, had brought deserved 10 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [l. retribution on the heads of its authors, and explained the existence of an Aztec force in the neighbourhood, by the necessity of repressing some disorders there. 330 More than a fortnight had elapsed since the entrance of the Spaniards into Cholula, and Cortes now resolved, with- out loss of time, to resume his march towards the capital. His rigorous reprisals had so far intimidated the Cholulans, that he felt assured he should no longer leave an active 335 enemy in his rear, to annoy him in case of retreat. CHAPTEE II. MARCH RESUMED — VALLEY OF MEXICO — IMPRESSION ON THE SPANIARDS — CONDUCT OF MONTEZUMA — THEY DESCEND INTO THE VALLEY. 1519. EYERYTHI:N'G being now restored to quiet in Cholula, the allied army of Spaniards and Tlascalans set forward in high spirits, and resumed the march on Mexico. The road lay through the beautiful savannas and luxuriant planta- tions that spread out for several leagues in every direction. 5 On the march they were met occasionally by embassies from the neighbouring places, anxious to claim the protection of the white men, and to propitiate them by gifts, especially of gold, for which their appetite was generally known through- out the country. 10 Some of these places were allies of the Tlascalans, and all showed much discontent with the oppressive rule of Montezuma. The natives cautioned the Spaniards against putting themselves in his power by entering his capital; and they stated, as evidence of his hostile disposition, that 15 he had caused the direct roads to it to be blocked up, that the strangers might be compelled to choose another, which, from its narrow passes and strong positions, would enable him to take them at great disadvantage. The information was not lost on Cortes, who kept a strict 20 eye on the movements of the Mexican envoys, and redoubled his own precautions against surprise. The army came at length to the place mentioned by the friendly Indians, where the road forked, and one arm of it was found, as they had foretold, obstructed with large 25 trunks of trees and huge stones which had been strewn 12 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [ll. across it. Cortes inquired the meaning of this from the Mexican ambassadors. They said it was done by the emperor's orders, to prevent their taking a route which, 30 after some distance, they would find nearly impracticable for the cavalry. They acknowledged, however, that it was the most direct road; and Cortes, declaring that this was enough to decide him in favour of it, as the Spaniards made no account of obstacles, commanded the rubbish to be cleared 35 away. They were now leaving the pleasant champaign country, as the road wound up the bold sierra which separates the great plateaus of Mexico and Puebla. The air, as they ascended, became keen and piercing ; and the blasts, sweep- 40 ing down the frozen sides of the mountains, made the soldiers shiver in their thick harness of cotton, and be- numbed the limbs of both men and horses. They were passing between two of the highest mountains on the North American continent, Popocatepetl, "the hill 45 that smokes," and Iztaccihuatl, or " white woman " — a name suggested, doubtless, by the bright robe of snow spread over its broad and broken surface. As night came on their sufferings would have been intolerable, but they luckily found a shelter in the commo- 50 dious stone buildings which the Mexican government had placed at stated intervals along the roads for the accommoda- tion of the traveller and their own couriers. The troops, refreshed by a night's rest, succeeded, early on the following day, in gaining the crest of the sierra of 55 Ahualco, which stretches like a curtain between the two great mountains on the north and south. Their progress was now comparatively easy, and they marched forward with a buoyant step, as they felt they were treading the soil of Montezuma. 60 They had not advanced far, when, turning an angle of the sierra, they suddenly came on a view which more than compensated the toils of the preceding day. It was that of the valley of Mexico, or Tenochtitlan, as more commonly called by the natives ; which, with its picturesque assemblage II.] MARCH RESUMED. 13 of water, woodland, and cultivated plains, its shining cities 65 and shadowy hills, was spread ont like some gay and gorgeous panorama before them. In the highly rarefied atmosphere of these upper regions, even remote objects have a brilliancy of colouring and a distinctness of outline which seem to annihilate distance. Stretching far away at their feet were 70 seen noble forests of oaks, sycamore, and cedar, and beyond, yellow fields of maize and the towering maguey, intermingled with orchards and blooming gardens; for flowers, in such demand for their religious festivals, were even more abundant in this populous valley than in other parts of Anahuac. 75 In the centre of the great basin were beheld the lakes, occupying then a much larger portion of its surface than at present; their borders thickly studded with towns and hamlets, and, in the midst, the fair city of Mexico, with her white towers and pyramidal temples. 80 With every step of their progress, the woods became thinner, patches of cultivated land more frequent; and hamlets were seen in the green and sheltered nooks, the inhabitants of which, coming out to meet them, gave the troops a kind reception. Everywhere they heard complaints 85 of Montezuma, especially of the unfeeling manner in which he carried off" their young men to recruit his armies, and their maidens for his harem. These symptoms of discontent were noticed with satisfaction by Cortes, who encouraged the disaffected natives to rely on his protection, as he had 90 come to redress their wrongs. He took advantage, moreover, of their favourable dispositions to scatter among them such gleams of spiritual light as time and the preaching of father Olmedo could afford. He advanced by easy stages, somewhat retarded by the 95 crowd of curious inhabitants gathered on the higlnvays to see the strangers, and halting at every spot of interest or importance. On the road he was met by another embassy from the capital. It consisted of several Aztec lords, freighted, as usual, with a rich largess of gold, and robes 100 of delicate furs and feathers. The message of the emperor was couched in the same deprecatory terms as before. He 14 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [ll. even condescended to bribe the return of the Spaniards, by promising, in that event, four loads of gold to the general, 105 and one to each of the captains, with a yearly tribute to their sovereign. But the man whom the hostile array of armies could not daunt, was not to be turned from his pur]:)ose by a woman's prayers. He received the embassy with his usual courtesy, 110 declaring, as before, that he could not answer it to his own sovereign, if he were now to return without visiting the emperor in his capital. It would be much easier to arrange matters by a personal interview than by distant negotiation. 115 The Aztec monarch, meanwhile, was a prey to the most dismal apprehensions. It was intended that the embassy above noticed should reach the Spaniards before they crossed the mountains. When he learned that this was accomplished, and that the dread strangers were on their march across the 120 valley, the very threshold of his capital, the last spark of hope died away in his bosom. In a paroxysm of despair he shut himself up in his palace, refused food, and sought relief in prayer and in sacrifice. But the oracles were dumb. He then adopted 125 the more sensible expedient of calling a council of his prin- cipal and oldest nobles. Here was the same division of opinion which had before Prevailed. Cacama, the young king of Tezcuco, his nephew, counselled him to receive the Spaniards courteously, as ambassadors, so styled by them- 130 selves, of a foreign prince. Cuitlahua, Montezuma's more warlike brother, urged him to muster his forces on the instant, and drive back the invaders from his capital, or die in its defence. But the monarch found it difficult to rally his spirits for this final struggle. With downcast eye and 135 dejected mien he exclaimed, " Of what avail is resistance when the gods have declared themselves against us^ Yet I mourn most for the old and infirm, the women and children, too feeble to fight or to fly. For myself and the brave men around me, we must bare our breasts to the storm, and meet 140 it as we may 1" II.] THEY DESCEND INTO THE VALLEY. 15 He straightway prepared to send a last embassy to the Spaniards, with his nephew, the lord of Tezcuco, at its head, to welcome them to Mexico. The Christian army, meanwhile, had advanced as far as Ajotzinco, a town of considerable size, with a great part of 145 it then standing on piles in the water. It was the first specimen which the Spaniards had seen of this maritime architecture. The canals, which intersected the city instead of streets, presented an animated scene from the number of barks which glided up and down freighted with provisions 150 and other articles for the inhabitants. The Spaniards were particularly struck with the style and commodious structure of the houses, built chiefly of stone, and with the general aspect of wealth, and even elegance which pre- vailed there. 155 Early on the following morning, as the army was prepar- ing to leave the place, a courier came, requesting the general to postpone his departure till after the arrival of the king of Tezcuco, who was advancing to meet him. It was not long before he appeared, borne in a palanquin or litter, richly 160 decorated with plates of gold and precious stones, having pillars curiously wrought, supporting a canopy of green plumes, a favourite colour with the Aztec princes. He was accompanied by a numerous suite of nobles and inferior attendants. As he came into the presence of Cortes, the 165 lord of Tezcuco descended from his palanquin, and the obse- quious officers swept the ground before him as he advanced. He appeared to be a young man of about twenty-five years of age, with a comely presence, erect and stately in his deportment. He made the Mexican salutation usually 170 addressed to persons of high rank, touching the earth with his right hand, and raising it to his head. Cortes embraced him as he rose, wlien the young prince informed him that he came as the representative of Montezuma, to bid the Spaniards welcome to his capital. He then presented the 175 general with three pearls of uncommon size and lustre. Cortes, in return, threw over Cacama's neck a chain of cut glass, which, where glass was as rare as diamonds, might be 16 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [iL admitted to have a value as real as the latter. After this 180 interchange of courtesies, and the most friendly and respect- ful assurances on the part of Cortes, the Indian prince with- drew, leaving the Spaniards strongly impressed with the superiority of his state and bearing over anything they had hitherto seen in the country. 185 Eesuming its march, the army kept along the southern borders of the lake of Chalco, overshadowed at that time by noble woods, and by orchards glowing with autumnal fruits, of unknown names, but rich and tempting hues. More fre- quently it passed through cultivated fields waving with the 190 yellow harvest, and irrigated by canals introduced from the neighbouring lake. Leaving the main land, the Spaniards came on the great dike or causeway, which stretches some four or five miles in length, and divides lake Chalco from Xochicalco on the 195 west. It was a lance in breadth in the narrowest part, and in some places wide enough for eight horsemen to ride abreast. It was a solid structure of stone and lime, running directly through the lake, and struck the Spaniards as one of the most remarkable works which they had seen in the 200 country. As they passed along, they beheld the gay spectacle of multitudes of Indians darting up and down in their light pirogues, eager to catch a glimpse of the strangers, or bear- ing the products of the country to the neighbouring cities. 205 They were amazed, also, by the sight of the chinampas, or floating gardens, teeming with flowers and vegetables, and moving like rafts over the waters. All round the margin, and occasionally far in the lake, they beheld little towns and villages, which, half concealed by the foliage, and 210 gathered in white clusters round the shore, looked in the distance like companies of wild swans riding quietly on the waves. Cortes now found, as he advanced, a considerable change in the feelings shown towards the government. He heard 215 only of the pomp and magnificence, nothing of the oppressions of Montezuma. Contrary to the usual fact, it seemed that il] they descend into the valley. 17 the respect for the Court was greatest in its immediate neighbourhood. From the causeway, the army descended on that narrow point of land which divides the waters of the Chalco from 220 the Tezcucan lake, but which in those days was overflowed for many a mile, now laid bare. Traversing this peninsula, they entered the royal residence of Iztapalapan, a place containing twelve or fifteen thousand houses, according to Cortes. It was governed by Cuitlahua, the emperor's 225 brother. The pride of Iztapalapan, on which its lord had freely lavished his care and his revenues, was its celebrated gardens. They covered an immense tract of land; were laid out in regular squares, and the paths intersecting them 230 were bordered with trellises, supporting creepers and aromatic shrubs, that loaded the air with their perfumes. The gar- dens were stocked with fruit-trees, imported from distant places, and with the gaudy family of flowers which belong to the Mexican Flora, scientifically arranged, and growing 235 luxuriant in the equable temperature of the table-land. The natural dryness of the atmosphere was counteracted by means of aqueducts and canals, that carried water into all parts of the grounds. In one quarter was an aviary, filled with numerous kmds 240 of birds, remarkable in this region both for brilliancy of plumage and of song. The gardens were intersected by a canal communicating with the lake of Tezcuco, and of suffi- cient size for barges" to enter from the latter. But the most elaborate piece of work was a huge reservoir of stone, filled 245 to a considerable height with water, well supplied with different sorts of fish. This basin was sixteen hundred paces in circumference, and was surrounded by a walk, made also of stone, wide enough for four persons to go abreast. The sides were curiously sculptured, and a flight of steps led 250 to the water below, which fed the aqueducts above noticed, or, collected into fountains, diffused a perpetual moisture. In the city of Iztapalapan, Cortes took up his quarters for the night. We may imagine what a crowd of ideas must VOL. II. 18 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [ll. 255 have pressed on the mind of the Conqueror, as, surrounded by these evidences of civilisation, he prepared, with his handful of followers, to enter the capital of a monarch, who, as he had abundant reason to know, regarded him with dis- trust and aversion. This capital was now but a few miles 260 distant, distinctly visible from Iztapalapan. And as its long lines of glittering edifices, struck by the rays of the evening sun, trembled on the dark-blue waters of the lake, it looked like a thing of fairy creation, rather than the work of mortal hands. Into this city of enchantment Cortes prepared to 265 make his entry on the following morning. CHAPTER III. ENVIRONS OF MEXICO— INTERVIEW WITH MONTEZUMA — ENTRANCE INTO THE CAPITAL — HOSPITABLE RECEPTION— VISIT TO THE EMPEROR. 1519. WITH the first faint streak of dawn, the Spanish general was up, mustering his followers. It was the eighth of November, 1519; a conspicuous day in history, as that on which the Europeans first set foot in the capital of the Western World. 5 Cortes with his little body of horse formed a sort of advanced guard to the army. Then came the Spanish infantry, who in a summer's campaign had acquired the discipline and the weather-beaten aspect of veterans. The baggage occupied the centre, and the rear was closed by the 10 dark files of Tlascalan warriors. The whole number must have fallen short of seven thousand, of which less than four hundred were Spaniards. Eor a short distance the army kept along the narrow tongue of land that divides the Tezcucan from the Chalcan 15 waters, when it entered on the great dike which, with the exception of an angle near the commencement, stretches in a perfectly straight line across the salt floods of Tezcuco to the gates of the capital. It was composed of huge stones well laid in cement ; and wide enough, throughout its whole 20 extent, for ten horsemen to ride abreast. Everywhere the Conquerors beheld the evidence of a crowded and thriving population, exceeding all they had yet seen. The temples and principal buildings of the cities were covered with a hard, white stucco, which glistened like 25 20 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [ill. enamel in the level beams of the morning. The margin of the great basin was more thickly gemmed than that of Chalco, with towns and hamlets. The water was darkened by swarms of canoes filled with Indians, who clambered up 30 the sides of the causeway, and gazed with curious astonish- ment on the strangers. And here, also, they beheld those fairy islands of flowers, overshadowed occasionally by trees of considerable size, rising and falling with the gentle undulation of the billows. At the distance of half a league 35 from the capital, they encountered a sohd work, or curtain of stone, which traversed the dike. It was twelve feet high, was strengthened by towers at the extremities, and in the centre was a battlemented gateway, which opened a passage to the troops. It was called the Fort of Xoloc, and became 40 memorable in after times as the position occupied by Cortes in the famous siege of Mexico. Here they were met by several hundred Aztec chiefs, who came out to announce the approach of Montezuma, and to welcome the Spaniards to his capital. They were dressed in 45 the fanciful gala costume of the country, with the maxtlatl, or cotton sash, around their loins, and a broad mantle of the same material, or of the brilliant feather-embroidery, flowing gracefully down their shoulders. On their necks and arms they displayed collars and bracelets of turquoise mosaic, with 50 which delicate plumage was curiously mingled, while their ears, under-lips, and occasionally their noses, were garnished with pendants formed of precious stones, or crescents of fine gold. As each cacique made the usual formal salutation of the country separately to the general, the tedious ceremony 55 delayed the march more than an hour. After this, the army experienced no further interruption till it reached a bridge near the gates of the city. It was built of wood, since replaced by one of stone, and was thrown across an opening of the dike, which furnished an outlet to the waters, when 60 agitated by the winds, or swollen by a sudden influx in the rainy season. It was a draw-bridge ; and the Spaniards, as they crossed it, felt how truly they were committing them- selves to the mercy of Montezuma, who, by thus cutting off III.] ENVIRONS OF MEXICO. 21 their comiminications with the country, might hold them prisoners in his capital. 65 In the midst of these unpleasant reflections, they heheld the glittering retinue of the emperor emerging from the great street which led then, as it still does, through the heart of the city. Amidst a crowd of Indian nobles, preceded by three officers of state, bearing golden wands, they saw the 70 royal palanquin blazing with burnished gold. It was borne on the shoulders of nobles, and over it a canopy of gaudy feather-work, powdered with jewels, and fringed with silver, was supported by four attendants of the same rank. They were bare-footed, and walked with a slow, measured pace, 75 and with eyes bent on the ground. When the train had come within a convenient distance, it halted, and Montezuma, descending from his litter, came forward leaning on the arms of the lords of Tezcuco and Iztapalapan, his nephew and brother. As the monarch advanced under the canopy, the 80 obsequious attendants strewed the ground with cotton tapestry, that his imperial feet might not be contaminated by the rude soil. His subjects of high and low degree, who lined the sides of the causeway, bent forward with their eyes fastened on the ground as he passed, and some of the 85 humbler class prostrated themselves before him. Montezuma was at this time about forty years of age. His person was tall and thin, but not ill made. His hair, which was black and straight, was not very long ; to wear it short was considered unbecoming persons of rank. His 90 beard was thin; his complexion somewhat paler than is often found in his dusky, or rather copper-coloured race. His features, though serious in their expression, did not wear the look of melancholy, indeed, of dejection, which characterizes his portrait, and which may well have settled 95 on them at a later period. He moved with dignity, and his whole demeanour, tempered by an expression of benignity not to have been anticipated from the reports circulated of his character, was worthy of a great prince. Such is the portrait left to us of the celebrated Indian emperor, in this 100 his first interview with the white men. 22 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [iH. The army halted as he drew near. Cortes dismounting, threw his reins to a page, and, supported by a few of the principal cavaliers, advanced to meet him. Whatever may 105 have been the monarch's feelings, he so far suppressed them as to receive his guest with princely courtesy, and to express his satisfaction at personally seeing him in his capital. Cortes responded by the most profound expressions of respect, while he made ample acknowledgments for the 110 substantial proofs which the emperor had given the Spaniards of his munificence. He then hung round Montezuma's neck a sparkling chain of coloured crystal, accompanying this with a movement as if to embrace him, when he was restrained by the two Aztec lords, shocked at 115 the menaced profanation of the sacred person of their master. After the interchange of these civilities, Montezuma appointed his brother to conduct the Spaniards to their residence in the capital, and again entering his litter, was borne off amidst prostrate crowds in the same state in which 120 he had come. The Spaniards quickly followed, and with colours flying and music playing, soon made their entrance into the southern quarter of Tenochtitlan. As they passed down the spacious street, the troops repeatedly traversed bridges suspended above canals, along 125 which they saw the Indian barks gliding swiftly with their little cargoes of fruits and vegetables for the market. At length they halted before a broad area near the centre of the city, where rose the huge pyramidal pile dedicated to the patron war-god of the Aztecs, second only in size, as 130 well as sanctity, to the temple of Cholula, and covering the same ground now in part occupied by the great cathedral of Mexico. Facing the western gate of the inclosure of the temple, stood a low range of stone buildings, spreading over a wide i35 extent of ground, the palace of Axayacatl, Montezuma's father, built by that monarch about fifty years before. It was appropriated as the barracks of the Spaniards. The emperor himself was in the court-yard, waiting to receive them. Approaching Cortes, he took from a vase of flowers, III.] HOSPITABLE RECEPTION. 23 borne by one of his slaves, a massy collar, in wbicli the 140 shell of a species of craw-fish, much prized by the Indians, was set in gold, and connected by heavy links of the same metal. From this chain depended eight ornaments, also of gold, made in resemblance of the same shell-fish, a span in length each, and of delicate workmanship ; for the Aztec 145 goldsmiths were confessed to have shown skill in their craft, not inferior to their brethren of Europe. Montezuma, as he hung the gorgeous collar round the general's neck, said, " This palace belongs to you, Malinche " (the epithet by which he always addressed him), "and your brethren 150 Rest after your fatigues ; for you have much need to do so, and in a little while I will visit you again." So saying, he withdrew with his attendants, evincing, in this act, a delicate consideration not to have been expected in a barbarian. 155 Cortes' first care was to inspect his new quarters. The building, though spacious, was low, consisting of one floor, except indeed in the centre, where it rose to an additional storey. The apartments were of great size, and afforded accommodations, according to the testimony of the Con- 160 querors themselves, for the whole army. The hardy mountaineers of Tlascala were, probably, not very fastidious, and might easily find a shelter in the out-buildings, or under temporary awnings in the ample court-yards. The best apartments were hung with gay cotton draperies, the floors 1G5 covered with mats or rushes. There were, also, low stools made of single pieces of wood elaborately carved, and in most of the apartments beds made of the palmdeaf, woven into a thick mat, with coverlets, and sometimes canopies of cotton. These mats were the only beds used by the natives, 170 whether of high or low degree. After a rapid survey of this gigantic pile, the general assigned to his troops their respective quarters, and took as vigilant precautions for security, as if he had anticipated a siege, instead of a friendly entertainment. The place was 175 encompassed by a stone wall of considerable thickness, with to^^'ers or heavy buttresses at intervals, affording a good 24 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [ill. means of defence. He planted his cannon so as to command the approaches, stationed his sentinels along the works, and, 180 in short, enforced in every respect as strict military discipline as had been observed in any part of the march. Having taken these precautions, he allowed his men to partake of the bountiful collation which had been prepared for them. 185 After the repast was concluded, and they had taken their siesta, not less important to a Spaniard than food itself, the presence of the emperor was again announced. Montezuma was attended by a few of his principal nobles. He was received with much deference by Cortes ; and, after 190 the parties had taken their seats, a conversation commenced between them through the aid of Dona Marina, while the cavaliers and Aztec chieftains stood around in respectful silence. At the conclusion of the interview, the Aztec prince 195 commanded his attendants to bring forward the presents prepared for his guests. They consisted of cotton dresses, enough to supply every man, it is said, including the allies, with a suit. And he did not fail to add the usual accom- paniment of gold chains and other ornaments, which he 200 distributed in profusion among the Spaniards. He then withdrew with the same ceremony with which he had entered, leaving every one deeply impressed with his munifi- cence and his affability, so unlike what they had been taught to expect by what they now considered an invention of the 205 enemy. On the following morning the general requested per- mission to return the emperor's visit, by waiting on him m his palace. This was readily granted, and Montezuma sent his officers to conduct the Spaniards to his presence. Cortes 210 dressed himself in his richest habit, and left the quarters attended by Alvarado, Sandoval, Velasquez, and Ordaz, together with five or six of the common file. The royal habitation was at no great distance. It was a vast, irregular pile of low stone buildings, like that garrisoned 215 by the Spaniards. So spacious was it indeed, that, as one III.] VISIT TO THE EMPEROR. 25 of the Conquerors assures us, although he had visited it more than once, for the express purpose, he had been too much fatigued each time by wandering through the apart- ments ever to see the whole of it. On reaching the hall of audience, the Mexican officers 220 took off their sandals, and covered their gay attire with a mantle of neqaen, a coarse stuff made of the fibres of the maguey, worn only by the poorest classes. This act of humiliation was imposed on all, except the members of his own family, who approached the sovereign. Thus bare- 225 footed, with downcast eyes, and formal obeisance, they ushered the Spaniards into the royal presence. They found Montezuma seated at the further end of a spacious saloon, and surrounded by a few of his favourite chiefs. He received them kindly, and very soon Cortes, 230 without much ceremony, entered on the subject which was uppermost in his thoughts. He was fully aware of the importance of gaining the royal convert, whose example would have such an influence on the conversion of his people. The general, therefore, prepared to display the 235 whole store of his theological science, with the most winning arts of rhetoric he could command, while the interpretation was conveyed through the silver tones of Marina, as insepa- rable from him, on these occasions, as his shadow. Montezuma listened, however, with silent attention, until 240 the general had concluded his homily. He then replied, that he knew the Spaniards had held this discourse wherever they had been. He doubted not their God was, as they said, a good being. His gods, also, were good to him. Yet what his visitor said of the creation of the world was 245 like what he had been taught to believe. It was not worth while to discourse further of the matter. His ances- tors, he said, were not the original proprietors of the land. They had occupied it but a few ages, and had been led there by a great Being, who, after giving them laws and 250 ruling over the nation for a time, had withdrawn to the regions where the sun rises. He had declared, on his departure, that he or his descendants would a^ain visit; 26 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [ill. them and resume his empire. The wonderful deeds of the 255 Spaniards, their fair complexions, and the quarter whence they came, all showed they were his descendants. If Mon- tezuma had resisted their visit to his capital, it was because he had heard such accounts of their cruelties — that they sent the lightning to consume his people, or crushed them 2*30 to pieces under the hard feet of the ferocious animals on which they rode. He was now convinced that these were idle tales; that the Spaniards were kind and generous in their natures ; they were mortals of a different race, indeed, from the Aztecs, wiser, and more vaHant — and for this he 265 honoured them. "You, too," he added, with a smile, "have been told, perhaps, that I am a god, and dwell in palaces of gold and silver. But you see it is false. My houses, though large, are of stone and wood like those of others ; and as to my 270 body," he said, baring his tawny arm, " you see it is flesh and bone like yours. It is true, I have a great empire, inherited from my ancestors; lands, and gold, and silver. But your sovereign beyond the waters is, I know, the right- ful lord of all. I rule in his name. You, Mahntzin, are 275 his ambassador ; you and your brethren shall share these things with me. Kest now from your labours. You are here in your own dwellings, and everything shall be pro- vided for your subsistence. I will see that your wishes shall be obeyed in the same way as my own." As the 280 monarch concluded these words, a few natural tears suffused his eyes, while the image of ancient independence, perhaps, flitted across his mind. Cortes, while he encouraged the idea that his own sove- reign was the great Being indicated by Montezuma, endea- 285 voured to comfort the monarch by the assurance that his master had no desire to interfere with his authority, other- wise than, out of pure concern for his welfare, to effect his conversion and that of his people to Christianity. Before the emperor dismissed his visitors he consulted his munifi- 290 cent spirit, as usual, by distributing rich stuffs and trinkets of gold among them, so that the poorest soldier, says III.] VISIT TO THE EMPEKOR. 27 Bernal Diaz, one of the party, received at least two heavy collars of the precious metal for his share. The iron hearts of the Spaniards were touched with the emotion displayed by Montezuma, as well as by his princely spirit of liberality. 295 As they passed him, the cavaliers, with bonnet in hand, made him the most profound obeisance, and "on the way home," continues the same chronicler, "we could discourse of nothing but the gentle breeding and courtesy of the Indian monarch, and of the respect we entertained for 300 him." n CHAI>TER IV. ANXIETY OF CORTES — SEIZURE OF MONTEZUMA — HIS TREATMENT BY THE SPANIARDS — EXECUTION OF HIS OFFICERS — MONTEZUMA IN IRONS. 1519. fT^HE Spaniards had been now a week in Mexico. During X this time they had experienced the most friendly treat- ment ftom the emperor. But the mind of Cortes was far from easy. What reliance could he place on the protection 5 of a prince so recently their enemy, and who, in his altered bearing, must have taken counsel of his fears rather than his inclinations'? In this perplexity, Cortes proposed an expedient, which none but the most daring spirit, in the most desperate 10 extremity would have conceived. This was, to march to the royal palace, and bring Montezuma to the Spanish quarters, by fair means if they could persuade him, by force if necessary, — at all events, to get possession of his person. With such a pledge, the Spaniards would be secure from the 15 assault of the Mexicans, afraid by acts of violence to com- promise the safety of their prince. If he came by his own consent, they would be deprived of all apology for doing so. As long as the emperor remained among the Spaniards, it would be easy, by allowing him a show of sovereignty, to 20 rule in his name, until they had taken measures for securing their safety, and the success of their enterprise. A plausible pretext for the seizure of the hospitable monarch was afforded by a circumstance of which Cortes had received intelligence at Cholula. He had left a faithful 25 officer, Juan de Escalante, with a hundred and fifty men in garrison at Vera Cruz, on his departure for the capital. He IV,] SEIZURE OF MONTEZUMA. 29 liad not been long absent, when his lieutenant received a message from an Aztec chief named Qnauhpopoca, governor of a district to the north of the Spanish settlement, declaring his desire to come in person and tender his allegiance to the 30 Spanish authorities at Yera Cruz. He requested that four of the white men might be sent to protect him against certain unfriendly tribes through which his road lay. This was not an uncommon request, and excited no suspicion in Escalante. The four soldiers were sent ; and on their 35 arrival two of them were murdered by the false Aztec. The other two made their way back to the garrison. The commander marched at once, with fifty of his men, and several thousand Indian allies, to take vengeance on the cacique. A pitched battle followed. The allies fled from the 40 redoubted Mexicans. The few Spaniards stood firm, and with the aid of their fire-arms, made good the field against the enemy. It cost them dear, however ; since seven or eight Christians were slain, and among them the gallant Escalante himself. The Indian prisoners captured in the 45 battle spoke of the whole proceeding as having taken place at the instigation of Montezuma. One of the Spaniards fell into the hands of the natives, but soon after perished of his wounds. His head was cut oif and sent to the Aztec emperor. It was uncommonly large 50 and covered with hair; and, as Montezuma gazed on the ferocious features, rendered more horrible by death, he seemed to read in them the dark lineaments of the destined destroyers of his house. He turned from it with a shudder, and commanded that it should be taken from the city, 55 and not ofi'ered at the shrine of any of his gods. Although Cortes had received intelligence of this disaster at Cholula, he had concealed it within his own breast, or communicated it to very few only of his most trusty officers, from apprehension of the ill effect it might have on the 60 spirits of the common soldiers. One night Cortes was heard pacing his apartment to and fro, like a man oppressed by thought, or agitated by strong emotion. He may have been ripening in his mind the 30 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. {iV. 65 daring scheme for the morrow. In the morning the soldiers heard mass as usual, and Father Olmedo invoked the blessing of Heaven on their hazardous enterprise. Whatever might he the cause in which he was embarked, the heart of the Spaniard was cheered with the conviction that the Saints 70 were on his side. Having asked an audience from Montezuma, which was readily granted, the general made the necessary arrangements for his enterprise. The principal part of his force was drawn up in the court-yard, and he stationed a considerable detach- 75 ment in the avenues leading to the palace, to check any attempt at rescue by the populace. He ordered twenty-five or thirty of the soldiers to drop in at the palace, as if by accident, in groups of three or four at a time, while the con- ference was going on with Montezuma. He selected five 80 cavaliers, in whose courage and coolness he placed most trust, to bear him company ; Pedro de Alvarado, Gonzalo de Sandoval, Francisco de Lujo, Velasquez de Leon, and Alonso de Avila, — brilliant names in the annals of the conquest. All were clad, as well as the common soldiers, in complete 85 armour, a circumstance of too familiar occurrence to excite suspicion. The little party were graciously received by the emperor, who soon, with the aid of the interpreters, became interested in a sportive conversation with the Spaniards, while he in- 90 dulged his natural munificence by giving them presents of gold and jewels. He paid the Spanish general the particular compliment of offering him one of his daughters as his wife ; an honour which the latter respectfully declined, on the ground that he was already accommodated with one in Cuba, 95 and that his religion forbade a plurality. When Cortes perceived that a sufficient number of his soldiers were assembled, he changed his playful manner, and with a serious tone briefly acquainted Montezuma with the treacherous proceedings in the tierra caUente, and the accusa- 100 tion of him as their author. The emperor listened to the charge with surprise, and disavowed the act, which he said could only have been imputed to him by his enemies. rvj SEIZURE OF MOl^TEZUMA. 31 Cortes expressed his belief in his declaration, but added, that, to prove it true, it would be necessary to send for Quauhpo- poca and his accomplices, that they might be examined and 105 dealt with according to their deserts. To this Montezuma made no objection. Taking from his wrist, to which it was attached, a precious stone, the royal signet, on which was cut the figure of the war-god, he gave it to one of his nobles, with orders to show it to the Aztec govenor, and require his no instant presence in the capital, together with all those who had been accessory to the murder of the Spaniards. If he resisted, the officer was empowered to call in the aid of the neighbouring towns to enforce the mandate. When the messenger had gone, Cortes assured the monarch 115 that this prompt compliance with his request convinced him of his innocence. But it was important that his own sove- reign should be equally convinced of it. Nothing would promote this so much as for Montezuma to transfer his resi- dence to the palace occupied by the Spaniards, till on the 120 arrival of Quauhpopoca the affair could be fully investigated. Such an act of condescension would, of itself, show a personal regard for the Spaniards, incompatible with the base conduct alleged against him, and would fully absolve him from' all suspicion ! ^^^ Montezuma listened to this proposal, and the flimsy reasoning with which it was covered, with looks of profound amazement. He became pale as death; but in a moment his face flushed with resentment, as with the pride of offended dignity, he exclaimed, " When was it ever heard that a great 130 prince, like myself, voluntarily left his own palace to become a prisoner in the hands of strangers ! " Cortes assured him he would not go as a prisoner. He would experience nothing but respectful treatment from the Spaniards ; would be surrounded by his own household, and 135 hold intercourse with his people as usual. In short, it would be but a change of residence, from one of his palaces to another, a circumstance of frequent occurrence with him. It was in vain. " If I should consent to such a degradation," he answered, " my subjects never would ! " When further 140 32 CONQUEST OV MEXICO. [iV. pressed, lie offered to give up one of his sons and o± his daughters to remain as hostages with the Spaniards, so that he might be spared this disgrace. Two hours passed in this fruitless discussion, till a high- 145 mettled cavalier, Velasquez de Leon, impatient of the long delay, and seeing that the attempt, if not the deed, must ruin them, cried out, " Why do we waste words on this barbarian'? We have gone too far to recede now. Let us seize him, and, if he resists, plunge our swords into his body ! " The fierce 150 tone and menacing gestures with which this was uttered alarmed the monarch, who incpiired of Marina what the angry Spaniard said. The interpreter explained it in as gentle a manner as she could, beseeching him "to accompany the white men to their quarters, where he would be treated 155 with all respect and kindness, while to refuse them would but expose himself to violence, perhaps to death." Marina, doubtless, spoke to her sovereign as she thought, and no one had better opportunity of knowing the truth than herself. 160 This last appeal shook the resolution of Montezuma. It was in vain that the unhappy prince looked around for sympathy or support. As his eyes wandered over the stern visages and iron forms of the Spaniards, he felt that his hour was indeed come ; and, with a voice scarcely audible 165 from emotion, he consented to accompany the strangers — to quit the palace, whither he was never more to return. No sooner had the Spaniards got his consent than orders . were given for the royal litter. The nobles who bore and attended it could scarcely believe their senses when they 170 learned their master's purpose. But pride now came to Montezuma's aid, and since he must go, he preferred that it should appear to be with his own free-will. As the royal retinue, escorted by the Spaniards, marched through the street with downcast eyes and dejected mien, the people 175 assembled in crowds, and a rumour ran among them that the emperor was carried off by force to the quarters of the white men. A tumult would have soon arisen but for the intervention of Montezuma himself, who called out to thQ IV.] HtS TREATMENT BY THE SPANIARDS. 83 people to disperse, as he was visiting his friends of his own accord, thus sealing his ignominy by a declaration which 180 deprived his subjects of the only excuse for resistance. On Reaching the quarters, he sent out his nobles with similar assurances to the mob, and renewed orders to return to their homes. He was received with ostentatious respect by the Spaniards, 185 and selected. the suite of apartments which best pleased him. They were soon furnished with fine cotton tapestries, feather- work, and all the elegances of Indian upholstery. He was attended by such of his household as he chooC, his wives and his pages, and was served with his usual pomp and luxury at 190 his meals. He gave audience, as in his own palace, to his subjects, who were admitted to his presence, few, indeed, at a time, under the pretext of greater order and decorum. From the Spaniards themselves he met with a formal deference. No one, not even the general himself, approached 195 him without doffing his casque, and rendering the obeisance due to his rank. Nor did they ever sit in his presence, without being invited by him to do so. With all this studied ceremony and show of homage, there was one circumstance which too clearly proclaimed to his 200 people that their sovereign was a prisoner. In the front of the palace a patrol of sixty men was established, and the same number in the rear. Twenty of each corps mounted guard at once, maintaining a careful watch day and night. Things were in this posture, when the arrival of Quauh- 205 popoca from the coast was announced. He was accompanied by his son and fifteen Aztec chiefs. He had travelled all the way, borne, as became his high rank, in a litter. On entering Montezuma's presence, he threw over his dress the coarse robe of neqiien, and made the usual humiliating acts of 210 obeisance. The poor parade of courtly ceremony was the more striking, when placed in contrast with the actual condition of the parties. The Aztec governor was coldly received by his master, who referred the affair to the examination of Cortes. It was, 215 doubtless, conducted in a sufficiently summary maimer. To VOL. II. D 34 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [iV. the general's query, whether the cacique was the subject of Montezuma, he replied, "And what other sovereign could I serve 'i " implying that his sway was universal. He did not 220 deny his share in the transaction, nor did he seek to shelter himself under the royal authority, till sentence of death was passed on him and his followers, when they all laid the blame of their proceedings on Montezuma. They were condemned to be burnt alive in the area before the palace. 225 The funeral piles were made of heaps of arrows, javelins, and other weapons, drawn by the emperor's permission from the arsenals round the great teocalli, where they had been stored to supply means of defence in times of civic tumult or insurrection. By this politic precaution, Cortes proposed to 230 remove a ready means of annoyance in case of hostilities with the citizens. To crown the whole of these extraordinary proceedings, Cortes, while preparations for the execution were going on, entered the emperor's apartment, attended by a soldier 235 bearing fetters in his hands. With a severe aspect, he charged the monarch with being the original contriver of the violence offered to the Spaniards, as was now proved by the declaration of his own instruments. Such a crime, which merited death in a subject, could not be atoned for, even by 240 a sovereign, without some punishment. So saying, he ordered the soldier to fasten the fetters on Montezuma's ankles. He coolly waited till it was done ; then, turning his back on the monarch, quitted the room. Montezuma was speechless under the infliction of this 245 last insult. He was like one struck down by a heavy blow, that deprives him of all his faculties. He offered no resist- ance. But, though he spoke not a word, low, ill-suppressed moans, from time to time, intimated the anguish of his spirit. His attendants, bathed in tears, offered him their 250 consolations. They tenderly held his feet in their arms, and endeavoured, by inserting their shawls and mantles, to relieve them from the pressure of the iron. But they could not reach the iron which had penetrated into his soul. He lelt that he was no more a king. lY.] HIS TREATMENT BY THE SPANIAEDS. 35 Meanwhile, the execution of the dreadful doom was going 255 forward in the court-yard. The whole Spanish force was under arms, to check any interruption that might be offered by the Mexicans. But none was attempted. The populace gazed in silent wonder, regarding it as the sentence of the emperor. The manner of the execution, too, excited less 260 surprise, from their familiarity with similar spectacles, aggravated, indeed, by additional horrors, in their own diabolical sacrifices. The Aztec lord and his companions, bound hand and foot to the blazing piles,, submitted without a cry or a complaint to their terrible fate. 265 When the dismal tragedy was ended, Cortes re-entered Montezuma's apartment. Kneeling down, he unclasped his shackles with his own hand, expressing at the same time his regret that so disagreeable a duty as that of subjecting him to such a punishment had been imposed on him. This last 270 indignity had entirely crushed the spirit of Montezuma ; and the monarch, whose frown, but a week since, would have made the nations of Anahuac tremble to their remotest borders, was now craven enough to thank his deliverer for his freedom, as for a great and unmerited boon ! 275 Not long after, the Spanish general, conceiving that his royal captive was sufficiently humbled, expressed his willing- ness that he should return, if he inclined, to his own palace. Montezuma declined it; alleging, it is said, that his nobles had more than once importuned him to resent 280 his injuries by taking arms against the Spaniards; and that, were he in the midst of them, it would be difficult to avoid it, or to save Ms capital from bloodshed and anarchy. CHAPTER y. Montezuma's deportment — his life in the Spanish quarters — meditated insurrection — lord of tezcuoo seized — further measures of cortes. 1520. THE settlement of La Villa Rica de Vera Cruz was of the last importance to the Spaniards. It was the port by which they were to communicate with Spain; the strong post on which they were to retreat in case of disaster, and 5 which was to bridle their enemies and give security to their allies; the point d^appui for all their operations in the country. It was of great moment, therefore, that the care of it should be entrusted to proper hands. A cavalier, named Alonso de Grado, had been sent by 10 Cortes to take the place made vacant by the death of Escalante. He was a person of greater repute in civil than military matters, and would be more likely, it was thought, to maintain peaceful relations with the natives, than a person of more belligerent spirit. Cortes made — what was rare 15 with him— a bad choice. He soon received such accounts of troubles in the settlement from the exactions and negli- gence of the new governor, that he resolved to supersede him. He now gave the command to Gonzalo de Sandoval, a young cavalier, who had displayed through the whole cam- 20 paign singular intrepidity united with sagacity and discretion, while the good humour with which he bore every privation, and his affable manners, made him a favourite with all, privates as well as officers. Sandoval accordingly left the camp for the coast. Cortes did not mistake bis man a 25 econd time. v.] HIS LIFE IN THE SPANISH QUARTEES. 37 ^Notwithstanding the actual control exercised by the Spaniards through their royal captive, Cortes felt some uneasiness, when he reflected that it was in the power of the Indians, at any time, to cut off his communications with the_ surrounding country, and hold him a prisoner in the 30 capital. He proposed, therefore, to build two vessels of sufficient size to transport his forces across the lake, and thus to render himself independent of the causeways Montezuma was pleased with the idea of seeing those wonderful "water-houses," of which he had heard so much, 35 and readily gave permission to have the timber in the royal forests felled for the purpose. The work was placed under the direction of Martin Lopez, an experienced ship-builder Orders were also given to Sandoval to send up from the coast a supply of cordage, sails, iron, and other necessary 40 materials, which had been judiciously saved on the destruction of the fleet. The Aztec emperor, meanwhile, was passing his days in the Spanish quarters in no very different manner from what he had been accustomed to in his own palace. His keepers 45 were too well aware of the value of their prize, not to do everything which could make his captivity comfortable, and disguise it from himself. After Montezuma's breakfast, which was a light meal of fruits or vegetables,' Cortes or some of his officers usually waited on him, to learn if he had any 50 commands for them. He then devoted some time to busi- ness. He gave audience to those of his subjects who had petitions to prefer, or suits to settle. The statement of the party was drawn up on the hieroglyphic scrolls, which were submitted to a number of counsellors or judges, who assisted 55 him with their advice on these occasions. Envoys from foreign states or his own remote provinces and cities were also admitted, and the Spaniards were careful that the same precise and punctilious etiquette should be maintained towards the royal puppet, as when in the plenitude of his 60 authority. After business was despatched, Montezuma often amused himself with seeing the Castilian troops go through their 38 '. CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [V. military exercises. At other times he would challenge 65 Cortes or his officers to play at some of the national games. A favourite one was called totoloque, played with golden balls aimed at a target or mark of the same metal. Monte- zuma usually staked something of value — precious stones or ingots of gold. He lost with good humour ; indeed, it was 70 of little consequence whether he won or lost, since he generally gave away his winnings to his attendants. He had, in truth, a most munificent spirit. His enemies accused him of avarice. But, if he were avaricious, it could have been only that he might have the more to give away. 75 Each of the Spaniards had several Mexicans, male and female, who attended to his cooking and various other personal offices. Cortes, considering that the maintenance of this host of menials was a heavy tax on the royal exchequer, ordered them to be dismissed, excepting one to be retained 80 for each soldier. Montezuma, on learning this, pleasantly remonstrated with the general on his careful economy, as unbecoming a royal establishment, and, countermanding the order, caused additional accommodations to be provided for the attendants, and their pay to be doubled. 85 While thus indifferent to his treasures, he was keenly sensitive to personal slight or insult. When a common soldier once -spoke to him angrily, the tears came into the monarch's eyes, as it made liim feel the true character of his impotent condition. Cortes, on becoming acquainted 90 with it, was so much incensed, that he ordered the soldier to be hanged; but, on Montezuma's intercession, commuted this severe sentence for a flogging. The general was not willing that any one but himself should treat his royal captive with indignity. Montezuma was desired to procure 95 a further mitigation of the punishment. But he refused, saying, " that, if a similar insult had been offered by any one of his subjects to Malintzin, he would have resented it in like manner." Such instances of disrespect were very rare. Montezuma's 100 amiable and inoffensive manners, together with his liberality, the most popular of virtues with the vulgar, made him v.] HIS LIFE IN THE SPANISH QUARTEES. 39 generally beloved by the Spaniards. The arrogance, for which he had been so distinguished in his prosperous days, deserted him in his fallen fortunes. His character in captivity seems to have undergone some of that change 105 Avhich takes place in the wild animals of the forest, when caged within the walls of the menagerie. The Indian monarch knew the name of every man in the army, and was careful to discriminate his proper rank. For some he showed a strong partiality. He obtained from the 110 general a favourite page, named Orteguilla, who, being in constant attendance on his person, soon learned enough of the Mexican language to be of use to his countrymen. Montezuma took great pleasure, also, in the society of Velasquez de Leon, the captain of his guard, and Pedro de 115 Alvarado, Tonatiuh, or "the Sun," as he was called by the Aztecs, from his yellow hair and sunny countenance. JS'otwithstanding the care taken to cheat him of the tedium of captivity, the royal prisoner cast a wistful glance now and then beyond the walls of his residence to the ancient 120 haunts of business or pleasure. He intimated a desire to offer up his devotions at the great temple, where he was once so constant in his worship. The suggestion startled Cortes. It was too reasonable, however, for him to object to it, without wholly discarding the appearances which he 125 was desirous to maintain. Eut he secured Montezuma's return by sending an escort with him of a hundred and fifty soldiers under the same resolute cavaliers who had aided in his seizure. He told him also, that, in case of any attempt to escape, his life would instantly pay the forfeit, 130 Thus guarded, the Indian prince visited the teocaU% where he was received with the usual state, and, after performing his devotions, he returned again to his quarters. Montezuma showed, also, an inclination to engage in the pleasures of the chase, of which he was once immoderately 135 fond. He had large forests reserved for the purpose on the other side of the lake. As the Spanish brigantines were now completed, Cortes proposed to transport him and his suite across the water in them. They were of a good size, 40 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [v. 140 strongly built. The largest was mounted with four falconets, or small guns. It was protected by a gaily-coloured awning stretched over the deck, and the royal ensign of Castile floated proudly from the mast. On board of this yessel, Montezuma, delighted with the opportunity of witnessing 145 the nautical skill of the white men, embarked with a train of Aztec nobles and a numerous guard of Spaniards. But while he resigned himself without a struggle to his inglorious fate, there were others who looked on it with very different emotions. Among them was his nephew 150 Cacama, lord of Tezcuco, a young man not more than twenty-five years of age. He was the same prince who had been sent by Montezuma to welcome the Spaniards on their entrance into the Valley ; and when the question of their reception was first debated in the council, he had advised to 155 admit them honourably as ambassadors of a foreign prince, and, if they should prove different from what they pretended, it would be time enough then to take up arms against them. That time, he thought, had now come. The young Tezcucan chief beheld, with indignation and 160 no slight contempt, the abject condition of his uncle. He endeavoured to rouse him to manly exertion, but in vain. He then set about forming a league with several of the neighbouring caciques to rescue his kinsman, and to break the detested yoke of the strangers. He called on the lord 165 of Iztapalapan, Montezuma's brother, the lord of Tlacopan, and some others of most authority, all of whom entered heartily into his views. These intrigues could not be conducted so secretly as not to reach the ears of Cortes, who, with his characteristic 170 promptness, would have marched at once on Tezcuco, and trodden out the spark of " rebellion," before it had time to burst into a flame. But from this he was dissuaded by Montezuma, who represented that Cacama was a man of resolution, backed by a powerful force, and not to be put 175 down without a desperate struggle. He consented, there- fore, to negotiate, and sent a message of amicable expostu- lation to the cacique. He received a haughty answer in v.] MEDITATED INSURRECTION. 41 return. Cortes rejoined in a more menacing tone, asserting the supremacy of his own sovereign, the emperor of Castile. To this Cacama replied, "He acknowledged no such authority; iso he knew nothing of the Spanish sovereign nor his people, nor did he wish to know anything of them." Montezuma was not more successful in his application to Cacama to come to Mexico, and allow him to mediate his diflerences with the Spaniards, with whom he assured the prince he was 185 residing as a friend. But the young lord of Tezcuco was not to be so duped. He understood the position of his uncle, and replied, "that, when he did visit his capital, it would he to rescue it, as well as the emperor himself, and their common gods, from bondage. He should come, not 190 with his hand in his bosom, but on his sword, to drive out the detested strangers who had brought such dishonour on their country." Cortes, incensed at this tone of defiance, would again have put himself in motion to punish it, but Montezuma 195 interposed M^th his more politic arts. He had several of the Tezcucan nobles, he said, in his pay ; and it would be easy, through their means, to secure Cacama's person, and thus break up the confederacy at once, without bloodshed. By the contrivance of these faithless nobles, Cacama was 200 induced to hold a conference, relative to the proposed in- vasion,^ in a villa which ovei'huug the Tezcucan lake, not far from his capital. Like most of the principal edifices, it was raised so as to admit the entrance of boats beneath it. In the midst of the conference, Cacama was seized by the 205 conspirators, hurried on board a bark in readiness for the purpose, and transported to Mexico. When brought into Montezuma's presence, the high-spirited chief abated nothing of his proud and lofty bearing. He taxed his uncle with his perfidy, and a pusillanimity so unworthy of his former 210 character, and of the royal house from which he was descended. By the emperor he was referred to Cortes, who, holding royalty but cheap in an Indian prince, put him in fetters. Cortes still wanted to get into his hands the other chiefs 215 42 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [V. who had entered into the confederacy with Cacama. This was no difficult matter. Montezuma's authority was abso- lute, everywhere but in his own palace. By his command, the caciques were seized, each in his own city, and brought 220 in chains to Mexico, where Cortes placed them in strict confinement with their leader. He had now triumphed over all his enemies. He had set his foot on the necks of princes ; and the great chief of the Aztec empire was but a convenient tool in his hands for 225 accomplishing his purposes. His first use of this power was, to ascertain the actual resources of the monarchy. He sent several parties of Spaniards, guided by the natives, to explore the regions where gold was obtained. It was gleaned mostly from the beds of rivers, several hundred 230 miles from the capital. His next object was, to learn if there existed any good natural harbour for shipping on the Atlantic coast, as the road of Yera Cruz left no protection against the tempests that at certain seasons swept over these seas. Montezuma 235 showed him a chart on which the shores of the Mexican Gulf were laid down with tolerable accuracy. Cortes, after carefully inspecting it, sent a commission, consisting of ten Spaniards, several of them pilots, and some Aztecs, who descended to Vera Cruz, and made a careful survey of the 240 coast for nearly sixty leagues south of that settlement. A spot was selected as the site of a fortified post, and the general sent a detachment of a hundred and fifty men, under Velasquez de Leon, to plant a colony there. CHAPTER VI. MONTEZUMA SWEAES ALLEGIANCE TO SPAIN — ROYAL TEEAStJRES — THEIR DIVISION — CHRISTIAN WORSHIP IN THE TEOCALLI — DIS- CONTENTS OF THE AZTECS — CORTES LEAVES THE CAPITAL. 1520. CORTES now felt his authority sufficiently assured to demand from Montezuma a formal recognition of the supremacy of the Spanish Emperor. The Indian monarch had intimated his willingness to acquiesce in this on their very first interview. He did not object, therefore, to call 5 together his principal caciques for the purpose. When they were assembled, he made them an address, briefly stating the object of the meeting. They were all acquainted, he said, with the ancient tradition, that the great Being who had once ruled over the land had declared, on his departure, 10 that he should return at some future time and resume his sway. That time had now arrived. The white men had come from the quarter where the sun rises, beyond the ocean, to which the good deity had withdrawn. They were sent by their master to reclaim the obedience of his ancient 15 subjects. For himself he was ready to acknowledge his authority. " You have been faithful vassals of mine," continued Montezuma, " during the many years that I have sat on the throne of my fathers. I now expect that you will show me this last act of obedience by acknowledging 20 the great king beyond the waters to be your lord also, and that you will pay him tribute in the same manner as you have hitherto done to me." As he concluded, his voice was nearly stifled by his emotion, and the tears fell fast dovni his cheeks. 25 44 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [vi. The oaths of allegiance were then administered with all due solemnity, attested by the Spaniards present, and a full record of the proceedings was drawn up by the royal notary, to be sent to Spain. 80 Having thus secured this great feudatory to the crown of Castile, Cortes suggested that it would be M^ell for the Aztec chiefs to send his sovereign such a gratuity as would con- ciliate his good-will by convincing him of the loyalty of his new vassals. Montezuma consented that his collectors 35 should visit the principal cities and provinces, attended by a number of Spaniards, to receive the customary tributes, in the name of the Castilian sovereign. In a few weeks most of them returned, bringing back large quantities of gold and silver plate, rich stuffs, and the various commodities 40 in which the taxes were usually paid. To this store Montezuma added, on his own account, the treasure of his father Axayacatl, some part of which had been already given to the Spaniards. When brought into the quarters, the gold alone was sufficient to make three 45 great heaps. It consisted partly of native grains ; part had been melted into bars ; but the greatest portion was in utensils, and various kinds of ornaments and curious toys, together with imitations of birds, insects, or flowers, executed with uncommon truth and delicacy. There were 50 also quantities of collars, bracelets, wands, fans, and other trinkets, in which the gold and feather work were richly powdered with pearls and precious stones. Many of the articles were even more admirable for the workmanship than for the value of the materials, such, indeed, as no 55 monarch in Europe could boast in his dominions ! Magnificent as it was, Montezuma expressed his regret that the treasure was no larger. "Take it," he added, "Malintzin, and let it be recorded in your annals that Montezuma sent this present to your master." 60 The Spaniards gazed with greedy eyes on the display of riches, now their own, which far exceeded all hitherto seen in the New World, and fell nothing short of the El Dorado which their glowing imaginations had depicted. VI.] HOYAL TREAStJRES. 45 They clamoured loudly for an immediate division of the spoil, which the general would have postponed till the 65 tributes from the remoter provinces had been gathered in. Some difficulty occurred in the division of the treasure, from the want of weights, which, strange as it appears, con- sidering their advancement in the arts, were unknown to the Aztecs. The deficiency was soon supplied by the 70 Spaniards, however, with scales and weights of their own manufacture, probably not the most exact. With the aid of these they ascertained the value of the royal fifth to be thirty -two thousand and four hundred pesos de oro. The whole amounted, therefore, to one hundred and sixty- 75 two thousand pesos de oro, independently of the fine ornaments and jewellery, the value of which Cortes computes at five hundred thousand ducats more. The whole amount of the treasure, reduced to our own currency, and making allowance for the change in the value of gold since the 80 beginning of the sixteenth century, was about six million three hundred thousand dollars, or one million four hundred and seventeen thousand pounds sterling. The division of the spoil was a work of some difficulty. A perfectly equal division of it among the conquerors would 85 have given them more than three thousand pounds sterling a-piece ; a magnificent booty ! But one-fifth was to be deducted for the Crown. An equal portion was reserved for the general, pursuant to the tenor of his commission. A large sum was then allowed to indemnify him and the 90 governor of Cuba for the charges of the expedition and the loss of the fleet. The garrison at Yera Cruz was also to be provided for. Ample compensation was made to the prin- cipal cavaliers. The cavalry, arquebusiers, and crossbow men, each received double pay. So that when the turn of the 95 common soldiers came, there remained not more than a hundred pesos de oro for each ; a sum so insignificant, in comparison with their expectations, that several refused to accept it. Loud murmurs now rose among the men. " Was it for 100 this," they said, "that we left our homes and families, 46 CONQUEST OP MEXICO. [vi. perilled our lives, submitted to fatigue and famine, and all for so contemptible a pittance ! Cortes used all his authority and insinuating eloquence to 105 calm the passions of his men. It was a delicate crisis. He was sorry, he said, to see them so unmindful of the duty of loyal soldiers, and cavaliers of the Cross, as to brawl like common banditti over their booty. The division, he assured them, had been made on perfectly fair and equitable prin- 110 ciples. As to his own share, it was no more than was warranted by his commission. Yet, if they thought it too much, he was willing to forego his just claims, and divide with the poorest soldier. Gold, however welcome, was not the chief object of his ambition. If it were theirs, they 115 should still reflect, that the present treasure was little in comparison with what awaited thera hereafter ; for had they not the whole country and its mines at their disposal 1 It was only necessary that they should not give an opening to the enemy, by their discord, to circumvent and to crush 120 them. With these honied words he succeeded in calming the storm for the present ; while in private he took more effectual means, by presents judiciously administered, to mitigate the discontents of the importunate and refractory. To many of the soldiers, indeed, it mattered little whether 125 their share of the booty were more or less. Gaming is a deep-rooted passion in the Spaniard, and the sudden acqui- sition of riches furnished both the means and the motive for its indulgence. Cards were easily made out of old parchment drum-heads, and in a few days most of the prize- 130 money, obtained with so much toil and suffering, had changed hands, and many of the improvident soldiers closed the campaign as poor as they had commenced it. Others, it is true, more prudent, followed the example of their officers, who, with the aid of the royal jewellers, converted their gold 135 into chains, services of plate, and other portable articles of ornament or use. Cortes seemed now to have accompKshed the great objects of the expedition. The Indian monarch had declared him- self the feudatory of the Spanish. His authority, his Vl] THEIR DIVISION. 47 revenues, were at the disposal of the general. The con- 140 quest of Mexico seemed to be achieved, and that without a blow. But it was far from being achieved. One important step yet remained to be taken, towards which the Spaniards had hitherto made little progress — the conversion of the natives. With all the exertions of Father Olmedo, neither 145 Montezuma nor his subjects showed any disposition to abjure the faith of their fathers. The bloody exercises of their religion, on the contrary, were celebrated with all the usual circumstance and pomp of sacrifice before the eyes of the Spaniards. • 150 Unable further to endure these abominations, Cortes, attended by several of his cavaliers, waited on Montezuma. He told the emperor that the Christians could no longer consent to have the services of their religion shut up within the narrow walls of tiie garrison. They wished to spread 155 its light far abroad, and to open to the people a full partici- pation in the blessings of Christianity. For this purpose they requested that the great teocalli should be delivered up, as a fit place where their worship might be conducted in the presence of the whole city. 160 Montezuma listened to the proposal with visible conster- nation. Amidst all his troubles he had leaned for support on his own faith, and, indeed, it was in obedience to it that he had shown such deference to the Spaniards as the mys- terious messengers predicted by the oracles. " Why," said 165 he, " Malintzin, why will you urge matters to an extremity, that must surely bring down the vengeance of our gods, and stir up an insurrection among my people, who will never endure this profanation of their temples." Cortes, seeing how greatly he was moved, made a sign to 170 his officers to withdraw. When left alone with the inter- preters, he told the emperor that he would use his influence to moderate the zeal of his followers, and persuade them to be contented with one of the sanctuaries of the ieocalU. If that were not granted, they should be obliged to take it by 175 force, and to roll down the images of his false deities in the face of the city. "We fear not for our lives," he added, 48 CONQUEST or MEXICO. [vi. " for, thougli our numbers are few, tlie arm of the true God is over us." Montezuma, much agitated, told him that he 180 would confer with the priests. The result of the conference was favourable to the Spaniards, who were now allowed to occupy one of the sanctuaries as a place of worship. The tidings spread great joy throughout the camp They might now go forth in open 185 day and publish their religion to the assembled capital. No time was lost in availing themselves of the permission. The sanctuary was cleansed of its disgusting impurities. An altar was raised, surmounted by a crucifix and the image of the Virgin. Instead of the gold and jewels which blazed 190 on the neighbouring pagan shrine, its walls were decorated with fresh garlands of flowers ; and an old soldier was stationed to watch over the chapel, and guard it from intrusion. When these arrangements were completed, the whole 195 army moved in solemn procession up the winding ascent of the pyramid. Entering the sanctuary, and clustering round its portals, they listened reverently to the service of the mass, as it was performed by the Fathers Olmedo and Diaz. And as the beautiful Te Deiim rose towards heaven, 200 Cortes and his soldiers kneeling on the ground, with tears streaming from their eyes, poured forth their gratitude to the Almighty for this glorious triumph of the Cross. The people had borne with patience all the injuries and affronts hitherto put on them by the Spaniards. They had 205 seen their sovereign dragged as a captive from his own palace ; his ministers butchered before his eyes ; his trea- sures seized and appropriated ; himself in a manner deposed from his royal supremacy. AH this they had seen without a struggle to prevent it. But the profanation of their 210 temples touched a deeper feeling, of which the priesthood were not slow to take advantage. The first intimation of this change of feeling was gathered from Montezuma himself. Instead of his usual cheerful- ness, he appeared grave and abstracted, and instead of 215 seeking, as he was wont, the society of the Spaniards, Vl] discontents of the AZTECS. 49 seemed rather to shun it. It was noticed, too that con- ferences were more frequent between him and the nobles, and especiaUy the priests. Not many days elapsed, however, before Cortes received an invitation, or rather a summons, from the emperor, to 220 attend him in his apartment. The general went with some feelinc^s of anxiety and distrust, taking with him UUa, captain of the guard, and two or three other trusty cavahers. Montezuma received them with cold civility, and, turning to the general, told him that all his predictions had come to 225 pass The gods of his country had been offended by the violation of their temples. They had threatened the priests that they would forsake the city, if the sacrilegious strangers Avere not driven from it, or rather sacrificed on the altars, in expiation of their crimes. The monarch assured the 230 Christians, it was from regard to their safety that he com- municated this; and, "if you have any regard for it your- selves " he concluded, "you will leave the country without delay. I have only to raise my finger, and every Aztec m the land will rise in arms against you." There was no reason 235 to doubt his sincerity ; for Montezuma, whatever evils had been brought on him by the white men, held them m reverence as a race more highly gifted than his own. Cortes was too much master of his feelings to show how far he was startled by this intelligence. He replied with 240 admirable coolness, that he should regret much to leave the capital so precipitately, when he had no vessels to take him from the country. If it were not for this there could be no obstacle to his leaving it at once. He should also^ regret another step to which he should be driven, if he quitted it 245 under these circumstances- that of taking the emperor along with him. -, . , ^ . • Montezuma was evidently troubled by this last suggestion. He inquired how long it would take to build the vessels, and finally consented to send a sufficient number of work- 250 men to the coast, to act under the orders of the Spaniards ; meanwhile, he would use his authority to restram the impatience of the people, under the assurance that the VOL. II. E 50 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [VI white men would leave the laud when the means for it were 255 provided. He kept his word. A large body of Aztec artisans left the capital with the most experienced Castilian ship-builders, and, descending to Yera Cruz, began at once to fell the timber, and build a sufficient number of ships to transport the Spaniards back to their own country. The 260 work went forward with apparent alacrity. But those who had the direction of it, it is said, received private instructions from the general to interpose as many delays as possible, in hopes of receiving in the meantime such reinforcements from Europe, as would enable him to maintain his ground. 265 The whole aspect of things was now changed in the Castilian quarters. Instead of the security and repose in which the troops had of late indulged, they felt a gloomy apprehension of danger. Every precaution that prudence could devise was taken to meet it. The soldier, as he threw 270 himself on his mats for repose, kept on his armour. He ate, drank, slept, with his weapons by his side. His horse stood ready caparisoned, day and night, with the bridle hanging at the saddle-bow. The guns were carefully planted, so as to command the great avenues. The sentinels were 275 doubled, and every man, of whatever rank, took his turn in mounting guard. The garrison was in a state of siege. Such was the uncomfortable position of the army, when in the beginning of May Cortes was forced to leave the capital, to meet an expedition under Narvaez sent by Velasquez, the 280 governor of Cuba. This expedition must be defeated at all hazards, or the fruit of all his past labours would be lost. The command of the garrison, in his absence, he intrusted to Pedro de Alvarado— the Tonatiuh of the Mexicans — a man possessed of many commanding qualities, of an intrepid, 285 though somewhat arrogant spirit, and his warm, personal friend. He inculcated on him moderation and forbearance. He was to keep a close watch on Montezuma, for on the possession of the royal person rested aU their authority in the land. He was to show him the deference alike due to 290 his high station, and demanded by policy. He was to pay uniform respect to the usages and the prejudices of the VI.] HE LEAVES THE CAPITAL. 51 people ; remembering that though his small force would be large enough to overawe them in times of quiet, yet, should they be once roused, it would be swept away like chaff before the whirlwind. 295 Erom Montezuma he exacted a promise to maintain the same friendly relations with his lieutenant which he had preserved towards himself. This, said Cortes, would be most grateful to his own master, the Spanish sovereign. Should the Aztec prince do otherwise, and lend himself to 300 any hostile movement, he must be convinced that he would fall the first victim of it. He left in garrison, under Alvarado, one hundred and forty men, two-thirds of his whole force. With these remained all the artillery, the greater part of the little body 305 of horse, and most of the arquebusiers. He took with him only seventy soldiers; but they were men of the most mettle in the army, and his staunch adherents. At Cholula he was joined by Velasquez de Leon with one hundred and twenty men and, subsequently by the 310 garrison of Vera Cruz under Sandoval, making up a little army to two hundred and thirty-six men, with which to oppose Narvaez's army of nine hundred. By dint, however, of lavish promises, bribes and superior strategy, Cortes succeeded in defeating his opponent, and- in enlisting under 315 his own banner the very soldiers who had been sent to thwart his plans. CHAPTER yil. INSURRECTION IN THE CAPITAL — RETURN OF CORTES— GENERAL SIGNS OF HOSTILITY — MASSACRE BY ALVARADO — RISING OF THE AZTECS. "VrO sooner had the struggle with his rival been decided jA in his favour, than Cortes despatched a courier with the tidings to the capital. In less than a fortnight, the same messenger returned with letters from Alvarado, con- 5 veying the alarming information, that the Mexicans were in arms, and had vigorously assaulted the Spaniards in their own quarters. The enemy, he added, had burned the brigantines, by which Cortes had secured the means of retreat in case of the destruction of the bridges. They had 10 attempted to force the defences, and had succeeded in par- tially undermining them, and they had overwhelmed the garrison with a tempest of missiles, which had killed several, and wounded a great number. The latter concluded with beseeching his commander to hasten to their relief, if he 15 would save them, or keep his hold on the capital. On receiving this urgent message Cortes made all haste to return to the capital, and on the 26th of June, once more entered the great gates of the palace of Axayacatl. The first inquiries of the general were respecting the 20 origin of the tumult. The accounts were various. Some imputed it to the desire of the Mexicans to release their sovereign from confinement ; others to the design of cutting off the garrison while crippled by the absence of Cortes and their countrymen. All agreed, however, in tracing the 25 immediate cause to the violence of Alvarado. It was com- mon for the Aztecs to celebrate an annual festival in May, VII.] GENERAL SIGNS OF HOSTILITY. 53 in honour of their patron war-god. It was called the "in- censing of Huitzilopotchli," and was commemorated by sacrifice, religious songs, and dances, in which most of the nobles engaged, for it was one of the great festivals which 30 displayed the pomp of the Aztec ritual. As it was held in the court of the teocalU, in the immediate neighbourhood of the Spanish quarters, and as a part of the temple itself was reserved for a Christian chapel, the caciques asked permis- sion of Alvarado to perform their rites there. They requested 35 also, it is said, to be allowed the presence of Montezuma. This latter petition Alvarado declined, in obedience to the injunctions of Cortes; but acquiesced in the former, on condition that the Aztecs should celebrate no human sacri- fices, and should come without weapons. 40 They assembled accordingly on the day appointed, to the number of six hundred, at the smallest computation. They were dressed in their most magnificent gala costumes, with their graceful mantles of feather-work, sprinkled with precious stones, and their necks, arms, and legs, ornamented 45 with collars and bracelets of gold. Alvarado and his soldiers attended as spectators, some of them taking their station at the gates, as if by chance, and others mingling in the crowd. They were all armed, a circumstance, which, as it was usual, excited no attention. 50 The Aztecs were soon engrossed by the exciting movement of the dance, accompanied by their religious chant, and wild, discordant minstrelsy. While thus occupied, Alvarado and his men, at a concerted signal, rushed with drawn swords on their victims. Unprotected by armour or weapons of 55 any kind, they were hewn down without resistance by their assailants, who, in their bloody work, showed no touch of pity or compunction. The pavement, says a writer of the age, ran with streams of blood, like water in a heavy shower. :N'ot an Aztec of 60 all that gay company was left alive ! It was repeating the dreadful scene of Cholula, with the disgraceful addition, that the Spaniards, not content with slaughtering their victims, rifled them of the precious ornaments on their 54 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [VII. 65 persons ! On this sad day fell the flower of the Aztec nobility. Not a family of note but had mourning and desolation brought within its walls; and many a doleful ballad, rehearsing the tragic incidents of the story, and adapted to the plaintive national airs, continued to be chanted 70 by the natives long after the subjugation of the country. No sooner was the butchery accomplished, than the tidings spread like wildfire through the capital. Men could scarcely credit their senses. All they had hitherto suffered, the desecration of their temples, the imprisonment of their 75 sovereign, the insults heaped on his person, all were for- gotten in this one act. Every feeling of long-smothered hostility and rancour now burst forth in the cry for ven- geance. Every former sentiment of superstitious dread was merged in that of inextinguishable hatred. It required 80 no effort of the priests — though this was not wanting — to fan these passions into a blaze. The city rose in arms to a man; and on the following dawn, almost before the Spaniards could secure themselves in their defences, they were assaulted with desperate fury. Some of the assailants 85 attempted to scale the walls ; others succeeded in partially undermining and in setting fire to the works. Whether they would have succeeded in carrying the place by storm is doubtful. But, at the prayers of the garrison, Montezuma himself interfered, and mounting the battlements, addressed 90 the populace, whose fury he endeavoured to mitigate by urging considerations for his own safety. They respected their monarch so far as to desist from further attempts to storm the fortress, but changed their operations into a regular blockade. They threw up works around the palace 95 to prevent the egress of the Spaniards. They suspended the tianguez, or market, to preclude the possibility of their enemy's obtaining supplies. And they then quietly sat down,*with feelings of sullen desperation, waiting for the hour when famine should throw their victims into their 100 hands. The condition of the besieged, meanwhile, was sufficiently distressing. Their magazine^ of provisions, it is true, were Vll.] CORTlfiS EMBARRASSMENT. 65 not exhausted ; but they suffered greatly from want of water, which, within the inclosure, was exceedingly brackish, for the soil was saturated with the salt of the surrounding 105 element. In this extremity they discovered, it is said, a spring of fresh water in the area. Such springs were known in some other parts of the city ; but discovered first under these circumstances, it was accounted as nothing less than a miracle. Still they suffered much from their past no encounters. Seven Spaniards and many Tlascalans had fallen, and there was scarcely one of either nation who had not received several wounds. In this situation, far from their own countrymen, without expectation of succour from abroad, they seemed to have no alternative before them but 115 a lingering death by famine, or one more dreadful on the altar of sacrifice. From this gloomy state they were relieved by the coming of their comrades. Cortes calmly listened to the explanation made by Alva- rado. But before it was ended, the conviction must have 120 forced itself on his mind that he had made a wrong selection for this important post. Yet the mistake was natural. Alvarado was a cavalier of high family, gallant and chivalrous, and his warm personal friend. He had talents for action, was possessed of firmness and intrepidity, 125 while his frank and dazzHng manners made the To7iatiuh an especial favourite with the Mexicans. But underneath this showy exterior the future conqueror of Guatemala concealed a heart rash, rapacious, and cruel. He was altogether destitute of that moderation which, in the delicate position 130 he occupied, was a quality of more worth than aU the rest. When Alvarado had concluded his answers to the several interrogatories of Cortes, the brow of the latter darkened, as he said to his lieutenant, " You have done badly. You have been false to your trust. Your conduct has been that 135 of a madman ! " And turning abruptly on his heel, he left him in undisguised displeasure. On the day that Cortes arrived, Montezuma had left his own quarters to welcome him. But the Spanish commander, distrusting, as it wguld seem, however unreasonably, his HO 66 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [VH. good faith, received him so coldly, that the Indian monarch withdrew, displeased and dejected, to his apartment. As the Mexican populace made no show of submission, and brought no supplies to the army, the general's ill-humour 145 with the emperor continued. When, therefore, Montezuma sent some of the nobles to ask an interview with Cortes, the latter, turning to his own officers, haughtily exclaimed, " What have I to do with this dog of a king, who suffers us to starve before his eyes ? " 150 His captains, among whom were Olid, de Avila, and Velasquez de Leon, endeavoured to mitigate his anger^ reminding him, in respectful terms, that had it not been for the emperor, the garrison might even now have been overwhelmed by the enemy. This remonstrance only chafed 155 him the more. Turning fiercely to the Mexicans, he said, " Go, tell your master and his people to open the markets, or we will do it for them, at their cost ! " The chiefs, who had gathered the import of his previous taunt on their sovereign from his tone and gesture, or perhaps from some 160 comprehension of his language, left his presence swelUng with resentment ; and in communicating his message, took care it should lose none of its effect. Shortly after, Cortes, at the suggestion, it is said, of Montezuma, released his brother Cuitlahua, lord of Iztapa- 165 lapan. It was thought he might be of service in allaying the present tumult, and bringing the populace to a better state of feeling. But he returned no more to the fortress. He was a bold, ambitious prince, and the injuries he had received from the Spaniards rankled deep in his bosom. He 170 was presumptive heir to the crown, which, by the Aztec laws of succession, descended much more frequently in a collateral than in a direct line. The people welcomed him as the representative of their reign, and chose him to supply the place of Montezuma during his captivity. Cuitlahua J 75 willingly accepted the post of honour and of danger. He was an experienced warrior, and exerted himself to reorganise the disorderly levies, and to arrange a more efficient plan of operations. The effect was soon, visible, VIL] EISING of the AZTECS. 57 Cortes had so little doubt of his ability to over-awe the insurgents, that he wrote to that effect to the garrison of 180 Villa Eica, by the same despatches in which he informed them of his safe arrival in the capital. But scarcely had his messenger been gone half an hour, when he returned breath- less with terror, and covered with wounds. " The city," he said, " was all in arms ! The drawbridges 185 were raised, and the enemy would soon be upon them ! " He spoke truth. It was not long before a hoarse, sullen sound became audible, like that of the roaring of distant waters. It grew louder and louder; till, from the parapet surrounding the inclosure, the great avenues which led to it might be 190 seen dark with the masses of warriors, who came rolling on in a confused tide towards the fortress. At the same time, the terraces and azoteas, or flat roofs, in the neighbourhood, were thronged with combatants brandishing their missiles, who seemed to have risen up as if by magic. It was a spec- 195 tacle to appal the stoutest. CHAPTER VIII. DESPERATE ASSAULT ON THE QUARTERS— FURY OF THE MEXICANS — SALLY OF THE SPANIARDS — MONTEZUMA ADDRESSES THE PEOPLE — DANGEROUSLY WOUNDED. 1520. THE palace of Axayacatl, in which the Spaniards were quartered, was a vast, irregular pile of stone buildings, having but one floor, except in the centre, where another story was added, consisting of a suite of apartments which 6 rose like turrets on the main building of the edifice. A vast area stretched around, encompassed by a stone wall of no great height. This was supported by towers or bulwarks at certain intervals, which gave it some degree of strength, not, indeed, as compared with European fortifications, but 10 sufiicient to resist the rude battering enginery of the Indians. The parapet had been pierced here and there with embrasures for the artillery, which consisted of thirteen guns; and smaller apertures were made in other parts for the con- venience of the arquebusiers. The Spanish forces found 15 accommodations within the great building; but the numerous body of Tlascalan auxiliaries could have had no other shelter than what was afl'orded by barracks or sheds hastily con- structed for the purpose in the spacious court-yard. Thus crowded into a small compact compass, the whole army could 20 be assembled at a moment's notice ; and, as the Spanish commander was careful to enf i>rce the strictest discipline and vigilance, it was scarcely possible that he could be taken by surprise. No sooner, therefore, did the trumpet call to arms, as the approach of the enemy was announced, than every 25 soldier was at his post the cavalry mounted, the artillerymen VIII.] DESPERATE ASSAULT ON THE QUARTERS. 59 at their guns, and the archers and arquebusiers stationed so as to give the assailants a warm reception. On they came, with the companies, or irregular masses, into which the multitude was divided, rushing forward each in its own dense column, with many a gay banner displayed, 30 and many a bright gleam of light reflected from helmet, arrow, and spear-head, as they were tossed about in their disorderly array. As they drew near the inclosure the Aztecs set up a hideous yell, or rather that shrill whistle used in fight by the nations of Anahuac. They followed 35 this by a tempest of missiles — stones, darts, and arrows — which fell thick as rain on the besieged, while volleys of the same kind descended from the crowded terraces of the neighbourhood. The Spaniards waited until the foremost column had 40 arrived within the best distance for giving effect to their fire, when a general discharge of artillery and arquebuses swept the ranks of the assailants, and mowed them down by hundreds. The Mexicans were 'familiar with the report of these formidable engines, as they had been harmlessly dis- 45 charged on some holiday festival; but never till now had they witnessed their murderous power. They stood aghast for a moment, as with bewildered looks they staggered under the fury of the fire ; but, soon rallying, the bold barbarians uttered a piercing cry, and rushed forward over the prostrate 50 bodies of their comrades. A second and a third volley checked their career, and threw them into disorder, but still they pressed on, letting off clouds of arrows; while their comrades on the roofs of the houses took more deliberate aim at the combatants in the court-yard. The Mexicans were 55 particularly expert in the use of the sling, and the stones which they hurled from their elevated positions on the heads of their enemies did even greater execution than the arrows. They glanced, indeed, from the mail-covered bodies of the cavaliers, and from those who were sheltered under the cotton 60 panoply. But some of the soldiers, especially the veterans of Cortes, and many of their Indian allies, had but slight defences, and suffered greatly under this stony tempest. 60 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [VIII. The Aztecs, meanwliile, had advanced close under the 65 walls of the intrenchment ; their ranks broken and disordered, and their limbs mangled by the unintermitting fire of the Christians. But they still pressed on, under the very muzzle of the guns. They endeavoured to scale the parapet, which from its moderate height, was in itself a work of no great 70 difficulty. But the moment they showed their heads above the rampart, they were shot down by the unerring marksmen within. Nothing daunted, others soon appeared to take the place of the fallen, and strove, by raising themselves on the writhing bodies of their dying comrades, or by fixing their 75 spears in the crevices of the wall, to surmount the barrier. But the attempt proved equally vain. Defeated here, they tried to effect a breach in the parapet by battering it with heavy pieces of timber. The works were not constructed on those scientific principles by which 80 one part is made to overlook and protect another. The besiegers, therefore, might operate at their pleasure, with but little molestation from the garrison within, whose guns could not be brought into a position to bear on them, and who could mount no part of their own works for their defence, 85 without exposing their persons to the missiles of the whole besieging army. The parapet, however, proved too strong for the efforts of the assailants. In their despair, they endeavoured to set the Christian quarters on fire, shooting burning arrows into them, and climbing up so as to dart 90 their firebrands through the embrasures. The principal edifice was of stone. But the temporary defences of the Indian allies, and other parts of the exterior works, were of wood. Several of these took fire, and the flame spread rapidly among the light combustible materials. This was a 95 disaster for which the besieged were wholly unprepared. They had little water, scarcely enough for their own con- sumption. They endeavoured to extinguish the flames by heaping on earth; but in vain. Fortunately the great building was of materials which defied the destroying 100 element. But the fire raged in some of the outworks, connected with the parapet, with a fury which could only be Viil] ^XftJLSION fttOM MEXICO. 61 checked by throwing down a part of the wall itself, thus laying open a formidable breach. This, by the general's order, was speedily protected by a battery of heavy guns, and a file of arquebusiers, who kept up an incessant volley 105 through the opening on the assailants. The fight now raged with fury on both sides. The walls around the palace belched forth an uninterniitting sheet of flame and smoke. The groans of the wounded and dying were lost in the fiercer battle-cries of the combatants, the HO roar of the artillery, the sharper rattle of the musketry, and the hissing sound of Indian missiles. Night at length came, and drew her friendly mantle over the contest. The Aztec seldom fought by night. It brought little repose, however, to the Spaniards, in hourly expectation 115 of an assault; and they found abundant occupation in restoring the breaches in their defences, and in repairing their battered armour. The beleaguering host lay on their arms through the night, giving token of their presence, now and then, by sending a stone or shaft over the battlements, 120 or by a solitary cry of defiance from some warrior more determined than the rest, till all other sounds were lost in the vague, indistinct murmurs which float upon the air in the neighbourhood of a vast assembly. With early dawn, the Spaniards were up and under arms; 125 but not before their enemies had given evidence of their hostility by the random missiles, which, from time to time, were sent into the inclosure. As the grey light of morning advanced, it showed the besieging army far from being diminished in numbers, filling up the great square and 130 neighbouring avenues in more dense array than on the preceding evening. Instead of a confused, disorderly rabble, it had the appearance of something like a regular force, with its battalions distributed under their respective banners, the devices of which showed a contribution from the principal 135 cities and districts in the Valley. High above the rest was conspicuous the ancient standard of Mexico, with its well- known cognisance, an eagle pouncing on an ocelot, emblazoned on a rich mantle of feather-work. Here and there priests 62 CONQtTEST OF MEXICO. [vlll. 140 might "be seen mingling in the ranks of the besiegers, and, with frantic gestures, animating them to avenge their insulted deities. The greater part of the enemy had little clothing save a sash round the loins. They were variously armed, with long 145 spears tipped with copper, or flint, or sometimes merely pointed and hardened in the fire. Some were provided with slings, and others with darts having two or three points, with long strings attached to them, by which, when discharged, they could be torn away again from the body of the wounded. 150 This was a formidable weapon, much dreaded by the Spaniards. Those of a higher order wielded the terrible maquahuitl, with its sharp and brittle blades of obsidian. Amidst the motley bands of warriors, were seen many whose showy dress and air of authority intimated persons of high 155 military consequence. Their breasts w^ere protected by plates of metal, over which was thrown the gay surcoat of feather- work. They M^ore casques resembling, in their form, the head of some wild and ferocious animal, crested with bristly hair, or overshadowed by tall and graceful plumes of many a 160 brilliant colour. Some few were decorated with the red fillet bound round the hair, having tufts of cotton attached to it, which denoted by their number that of the victories they had won, and their own pre-eminent .rank among the warriors of the nation. 165 Before the sun had shot his beams into the Castilian quarters the enemy were in motion, evidently preparing to renew the assault of the preceding day. The Spanish com- mander determined to anticipate them by a vigorous sortie, for which he had already made the necessary dispositions. 170 A general discharge of ordnance and musketry sent death far and wide into the enemy's ranks, and, before they had time to recover from their confusion, the gates were thrown open, and Cortes, sallying out at the head of his cavalry, supported by a large body of infantry and several thousand 175 Tlascalans, rode at full gallop against them. Taken thus by surprise, it was scarcely possible to off'er much resistance. Those who did were trampled down under the horses' feet, Vra]. SALLY OP THE SPANIARDS. 63 cut to pieces with the broadsw^ords, or pierced with the lances of the riders. The infantry followed up the blow, and the rout for the moment was general. 180 But the Aztecs fled only to take refuge behind a barricade, or strong work of timber and earth, which had been thrown across the great street through which they were pursued. Rallying on the other side, they made a gallant stand, and poured in turn a volley of their light weapons on the 185 Spaniards, who, saluted with a storm of missiles at the same time, from the terraces of the houses, were checked in their career, and thrown into some disorder. Cortes, thus impeded, ordered up a few pieces of heavy ordnance, which soon swept away the barricades, and cleared 190 a passage for the army. But it had lost the momentum acquired in its rapid advance. The enemy had time to rally and to meet the Spaniards on more equal terms. They were attacked in flank, too, as they advanced, by fresh battalions, who swarmed in from the adjoining streets and lanes. The 195 canals were alive with boats fllled with warriors, who, with their formidable darts, searched every crevice or weak place in the armour of proof, and made havoc on the unprotected bodies of the Tlascalans. By repeated and vigorous charges, the Spaniards succeeded in driving the Indians before them ; 200 though many, with a desperation which showed they loved vengeance better than life, sought to embarrass the movements of their horses by clinging to their legs, or more successfully strove to pull the riders from their saddles. And woe to the unfortunate cavalier who was thus dismounted — 205 to be despatched by the brutual maquahuitl, or to be dragged on board a canoe to the bloody altar of sacrifice ! But the greatest annoyance which the Spaniards endured was from the missiles from the azoteas, consisting often of large stones, hurled with a force that would tumble the 210 stoutest rider from his saddle. Galled in the extreme by these discharges, against which even their shields afforded no adequate protection, Cortes ordered fire to be set to the buildings. This was no very difficult matter, since, although chiefly of stone, they were filled with mats, cane-work, and 215 64 CONQUES'T OF MEXICO. [VIII. other combustible materials, which were soon in a blaze. But the buildings stood separated from one another by canals and draw-bridges, so that the flames did not easily com- municate to the neighbouring edifices. Hence, the labour of 220 the Spaniards was incalculably increased, and their progress in the work of destruction — fortunately for the city — was comparatively slow. They did not relax their efforts, how- ever, till several hundred houses had been consumed, and the miseries of a conflagration, in which the wretched inmates 225 perished equally with the defenders, were added to the other horrors of the scene. The day was now far spent. The Spaniards had been everywhere victorious. But the enemy, though driven back on every point, still kept the field. When broken by the 230 furious charges of the cavalry, he soon rallied behind the temporary defences, which, at different intervals, had been thrown across the streets, and, facing about, renewed the fight with undiminished courage, till the sweeping away of the barriers by the cannon of the assailants left a free 235 passage for the movements of their horse. Thus the action was a succession of rallying and retreating, in which both parties suffered much, although the loss inflicted on the Indians was probably tenfold greater that that of the Spaniards. But the Aztecs could better afford the loss of 240 a hundred lives than their antagonists that of one. And, while the Spaniards showed an array broken, and obviously thinned in numbers, the Mexican army, swelled by the tributary levies which flowed in upon it from the neighbour- ing streets, exhibited, with all its losses, no sign of diminu- 245 tion. At length, sated with carnage, and exhausted by toil and hunger, the Spanish commander drew off' his men, and sounded a retreat. The undaunted Aztecs hung on the rear of their retreating foes, annoying them at every step by fresh flights of stones 259 and arrows ; and when the Spaniards had re-entered their fortress, the Indian host encamped around it, showing the same dogged resolution as on the preceding evening. Though true to their ancient habits of inaction during the night, they VIII.] FURY OF THE MEXICANS. 65 broke the stillness of the hour by insulting cries and menaces, which reached the ears of the besieged. " The gods have 255 delivered you, at last, into our hands," they said ; "Huitzilo- potchli has long cried for his victims. The stone of sacrifice is ready. The knives are sharpened. The wild beasts in the palace are roaring for their olFal. And the cages," they added, taunting the Tlascalans with their leanness, " are 260 waiting for the false sons of Anahuac, who are to be fattened for the festival." These dismal menaces, which sounded fearfully in the ears of the besieged, who understood too well their import, were mingled with piteous lamentations for their sovereign, whom they called on the Spaniards to deliver 265 up to them. Cortes suffered much from a severe wound which he had received in the hand in the late action. But the anguish of his mind must have been still greater, as he brooded over the dark prospect before him. 270 He now sent to the Aztec emperor to request his inter- position with his subjects in behalf of the Spaniards. But Montezuma was not in the humour to comply. He had remained moodily in his quarters ever since the general's return. Distressed by his position, indignant at those who 275 had placed him in it, he coldly answered, " What have I to do with Malintzin'? I do not wish to hear from him. I desire only to die. To what a state has my willingness to serve him reduced me ! " When urged still further to comply b.y Olid and Father Olmedo, he added, " It is of no 280 use. They will neither believe me, nor the false words and promises of Malintzin. You will never leave these walls alive." On being assured, however, that the Spaniards would wdllingly depart, if a way were opened to them by their enemies, he at length — moved, probably, more by the 285 desire to spare the blood of his subjects than of the Christans — consented to expostulate with his people. In order to give the greater effect to his presence, he put on his imperial robes. The tilmatli, his mantle of white and blue, flowed over his shoulders, held together by its 290 rich clasp of the green chalcMvitl, The same precious F 66 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [VIII. gem, with emeralds of uncommon size, set in gold, profusely ornamented other parts of his dress. His feet were shod with the golden sandals, and his brows covered by the 295 copilli, or Mexican diadem, resembling in form the ponti- fical tiara. Thus attired, and surrounded by a guard of Spaniards and several Aztec nobles, and preceded by the golden wand, the symbol of sovereignty, the Indian monarch ascended the central turret of the palace. His presence 300 was instantly recognised by the people, and, as the royal retinue advanced along the battlements, a change, as if by magic, came over the scene. The clang of instruments, the fierce cries of the assailants, were hushed, and a death- like stillness pervaded the whole assembly, so fiercely agi- 305 tated but a few moments before by the wild tumult of war ! Many prostrated themselves on the ground ; others bent the knee; and all turned with eager expectation towards the monarch, whom they had been taught to reverence with slavish awe, and from whose countenance they had been 310 wont to turn away as from the intolerable splendours of divinity ! Montezuma saw his advantage ; and, while he stood thus confronted with his awe-struck people, he seemed to recover all his former authority and confidence as he felt himself to be still a king. With a calm voice, easily heard 315 over the silent assembly, he is said by the Castilian writers to have thus addressed them : — " Why do I see my people here in arms against the palace of my fathers ? Is it that you think your sovereign a prisoner, and wish to release him ? If so, you have acted 320 rightly. But you are mistaken. I am no prisoner. The strangers are my guests. I remain with them only from choice, and can leave them when I list. Have you come to drive them from the city*? That is unnecessary. They will depart of their own accord, if you will open a way for 325 them. Return to your homes, then. Lay down your arms. Show your obedience to me who have a right to it. The white men shall go back to their own land ; and all shall be well again within the walls of Tenochtitlan." As Montezuma announced himself the friend of the VIII.] HE IS DANGEROUSLY WOUNDED. 67 detested strangers, a murmur ran through the multitude ; 330 a murmur of contempt for the pusillanimous prince who could show himself so insensible to the insults and injuries for which the nation was in arms! The swollen tide of their passions swept away all the barriers of ancient reverence, and, taking a new direction, descended on the 335 head of the unfortunate monarch, so far degenerated from his warlike ancestors. "Base Aztec," they exclaimed, " woman, coward, the white men have made you a woman — fit only to weave and spin ! " These bitter taunts were soon followed by still more hostile demonstrations. A chief, it 340 is said, of high rank, bent a bow or brandished a javelin with an air of defiance against the emperor, when, in an instant, a cloud of stones and arrows descended on the spot where the royal train was gathered. The Spaniards ap- pointed to protect his person had been thrown ofi" their 345 guard by the respectful deportment of the people during their lord's address. They now hastily interposed their bucklers. But it was too late. Montezuma was wounded by three of the missiles, one of which, a stone, fell with such violence on his head, near the temple, as brought him 350 senseless to the ground. The Mexicans, shocked at their own sacrilegious act, experienced a sudden revulsion of feeling, and setting up a dismal cry, dispersed panic-struck in different directions. Xot one of the multitudinous array remained in the great square Viefore the palace ! 355 The unhappy prince, meanwhile, was borne by his attend- ants to his apartments below. On recovering from the insensibility caused by the blow, the wretchedness of his condition broke upon him. He had tasted the last bitter- ness of degTadation. He had been reviled, rejected, by his 360 people. The meanest of the rabble had raised their hands against him. He had nothing more to live for. It was in vain that Cortes and his officers endeavoured to soothe the anguish of his spirit and fill him with better thoughts. He spoke not a word in answer. His wound, though dangerous, 365 might still, with skilful treatment, not prove mortal. But Montezuma refused O-U the remedies prescribed for it He 68 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [VIII. tore off the bandages as often as they were applied, main- taining all the while the most determined silence. He sat 370 with eyes dejected, brooding over his fallen fortunes, over the image of ancient majesty and present humiliation. He had survived his honour. But a spark of his ancient spirit seemed to kindle in his bosom, as it was clear he did not mean to survive his disgrace. From this painful scene the 375 Spanish general and his followers were soon called away by the new dangers which menaced the garrison. CHAPTER IX. STORMING OF THE GREAT TEMPLE — SPIRIT OF THE AZTECS — DISTRESSES OF THE GARRISON— SHARP COMBATS IN THE CITY — DEATH OF MONTEZUMA. 1520. OPPOSITE to the Spanish quarters, at only a few rods' distance, stood the great teocalli of HuitzilopotchH. This pyramidal mound, with the sanctuaries that crowned it, rising altogether to the height of near a hundred and fifty feet, afforded an elevated position that completely com- 5 manded the palace of Axayacatl, occupied by the Christians, A body of five or six hundred Mexicans, many of them nobles and warriors of the highest rank, had got possession of the teocalli, whence they discharged such a tempest of arrows on the garrison, that no one could leave his defences 10 for a moment without imminent danger; while the Mexicans, under shelter of the sanctuaries, were entirely covered from the fire of the besieged. Cortes, who saw the immediate necessity of carrying the place, determined to lead the storming party himself. He 15 was then suffering much from the wound in his left hand, which had disabled it for the present. He made the arm serviceable, however, by fastening his buckler to it, and, thus crippled, sallied out at the head of three hundred chosen cavaliers, and several thousand of his auxiliaries. 20 In the court-yard of the temple he found a numerous body of Indians prepared to dispute his passage. He briskly charged them ; but the flat, smooth stones of the pavement were so slippery that the horses lost their footing, and many of them fell. Hastily dismounting, they sent back the 25 animals to their (Quarters, and, renewing the assault, the 70 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [iX. Spaniards succeeded without mucli difficulty in dispersing the Indian warriors, and opening a free passage for themselves to the teocalU. This building was a huge pyramidal structure, 30 about three hundred feet square at the base. A flight of stone steps on the outside, at one of the angles of the mound, led to a platform, or terraced walk, which passed round the building until it reached a similar flight of stairs directly over the preceding, that conducted to another landing as 35 before. As there were five bodies or divisions of the teocalli, it became necessary to pass round its whole extent four times, or nearly a mile, in order to reach the summit, which was an open area, crowned only by the two sanctuaries dedicated to the Aztec deities. 40 Cortes, having cleared a way for the assault, sprang up the lower stairway, followed by Alvarado, Sandoval, Ordaz, and the other gallant cavaliers of his little band, leaving a file of arquebusiers, and a strong corps of Indian allies, to hold the enemy in check at the foot of the monument. On 45 the first landing, as well as on the several galleries above, and on the summit, the Aztec warriors were drawn up to dispute his passage. From their elevated position they showered down volleys of lighter missiles, together with heavy stones, beams, and burning rafters, which, thundering 50 along the stairway, overturned the ascending Spaniards, and carried desolation through their ranks. The more fortunate, eluding or springing over .these obstacles, succeeded in gaining the first terrace, where, throwing themselves on their enemies, they compelled them, after a short resistance, 55 to fall back. The assailants pressed on, effectually supported by a brisk fire of the musketeers from below, which so much galled the Mexicans in their exposed situation, that they were glad to take shelter on the broad summit of the teocalU. 60 Cortes and his comrades were close upon their rear, and the two parties soon found themselves face to face on this aerial battle-field, engaged in mortal combat in presence of the whole cit}'-, as well as of the troops in the court-yard, who paused, as if by mutual cQiisent, frojn their ow^ IX.] SPIRIT OF THE AZTECS. 71 hostilities, gazing in silent expectation on the issue of those 65 above. The area, though somewhat smaller than the base of the teocalli, was large enough to aiford a fair field of fight for a thousand combatants. It was paved with broad, flat stones. No impediment occurred over its surface, except the huge sacrificial block, and the temples of stone which 70 rose to the height of forty feet, at the further extremity of the arena. One of these had been consecrated to the cross ; the other was still occupied by the Mexican war-god. The Christian and the Aztec contended for their religions under the very shadow of their respective shrines ; while the 75 Indian priests, running to and fro, with their hair wildly streaming over their sable mantles, seemed hovering in mid air, like so many demons of darkness urging on the work of slaughter. The parties closed with the desperate fury of men who 80 had no hope but in victory. Quarter was neither asked nor given; and to fly was impossible. The edge of the area was unprotected by parapet or battlement. The least slip would be fatal; and the combatants, as they struggled in mortal agony, were sometimes seen to roll over the sheer 85 sides of the precipice together. Cortes himself is said to have had a narrow escape from this dreadful fate. Two warriors, of strong, muscular frames, seized on him and were dragging him violently towards the brink of the pyramid. Aware of their intention, he struggled with all 90 his force, and, before they could accomplish their purpose, succeeded in tearing himself from their grasp, and hurling one of them over the walls with his own arm. The story is not improbable in itself, for Cortes was a man of uncommon agility and strength. 95 The battle lasted with unintermitting fury for three hours. The number of the enemy was double that of the Christians; and it seemed as if it were a contest which must be deter- mined by numbers and brute force, rather than by superior science. But it was not so. The invulnerable armour of the lOQ Spaniard, his sword of matchless temper, and his skill in the use of it, gave him advantages which far outweighed the 72 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [iX. odds of physical strength and numbers. After doing all that the courage of despair could enable men to do, resistance 105 grew fainter and fainter on the side of the Aztecs. One after another they had fallen. Two or three priests only survived to be led away in triumph by the victors. Every other combatant was stretched a corpse on the bloody arena, or had been hurled from the giddy heights. Yet the loss of 110 the Spaniards was not inconsiderable. It amounted to forty- five of their best men, and nearly all the remainder were more or less injured in the desperate conflict. The victorious cavaliers now rushed towards the sanctuaries. The lower story was of stone ; the two upper were of wood. 115 Penetrating into their recesses, they had the mortification to find the image of the Virgin and the Cross removed. But in the other edifice they still beheld the grim figure of Huitzil- opotchH, with his censer of smoking hearts, and the walls of his oratory reeking with gore, not improbably of their own 120 countrymen ! With shouts of triumph the Christians tore the uncouth monster from his niche, and tumbled him, in the presence of the horror-struck Aztecs, down the steps of the teocalli. They then set fire to the accursed building. That very night they followed up the blow by a sortie on 125 the sleeping town, and burned three hundred houses, the horrors of conflagration being made still more impressive by occurring at the hour when the Aztecs, from their own system of warfare, were least prepared for them. Hoping to find the temper of the natives somewhat 130 subdued by these reverses, Cortes now determined, with his usual policy, to make them a vantage-ground for proposing terms of accommodation. He accordingly invited the enemy to a parley, and, as the principal chiefs, attended by their followers, assembled in the great square, he mounted the 135 turret before occupied by Montezuma, and made signs that he would address them. Marina, as usual, took her place by his side, as his interpreter. The multitude gazed with earnest curiosity on the Indian girl, whose influence with the Spaniards was well known, and whose connexion with the 140 general, in particular, had led the Aztecs to designate him by IX.] SPIRIT OF THE AZTECS. 73 her Mexican name of Malinclie. Cortes, speaking through the soft, musical tones of his mistress, told his audience they must now be convinced that they had nothing further to hope from opposition to the Spaniards. They had seen their gods trampled in the dust, their altars broken, their dwellings 145 burned, their warriors falling on all sides. "All this," continued he, "you have brought on yourselves by your rebellion. Yet for the affection the sovereign, whom you have so unworthily treated, still bears you, I would willingly stay my hand, if you will lay down your arms, and return 150 once more to your obedience. But, if you do not," he concluded, " I will make your city a heap of ruins, and leave not a soul alive to mourn over it ! " But the Spanish commander did not yet comprehend the character of the Aztecs, if he thought to intimidate them by 155 menaces. It was true, they answered, he had destroyed their temples, broken in pieces their gods, massacred their countrymen. Many more, doubtless, were yet to fall under their terrible swords. But they were content so long as for every thousand 160 Mexicans they could shed the blood of a single white man ! *' Look out," they continued, " on our terraces and streets, see them still thronged with warriors as far as your eyes can reach. Our numbers are scarcely diminished by our losses. Yours, on the contrary, are lessening every hour. You are 165 perishing from hunger and sickness. Your provisions and water are failing. You must soon fall into our hands. The h^idges are broken down, and you cannot escape ! There will be too few of you left to glut the vengeance of our gods ! " As they concluded, they sent a volley of arrows over the 170 battlements, which compelled the Spaniards to descend and take refuge in their defences. The fierce and indomitable spirit of the Aztecs filled Cortes with dismay. With his men daily diminishing in strength and numbers, 175 their provisions reduced so low that a small daily ration of bread was all the sustenance afforded to the soldier under his extraordinary fatigues, with the breaches every day 74 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [iX. widening in liis feeble fortifications, with Ms ammnnition, 180 in fine, nearly expended, it would be impossible to maintain the place much longer — and none but men of iron con- stitutions and tempers, like the Spaniards, could have held it out so long — against the enemy. The chief embarrass- ment was as to the time and manner in which it would 185 be expedient to evacuate the city. The best route seemed to be that of Tlacopan (Tacuba). For the causeway, the most dangerous part of the road, was but two miles long in that direction, and would therefore place the fugitives much sooner than either of the other great avenues on terra jirma. 190 Before his final departure, however, he proposed to make another sally in that direction, in order to reconnoitre the ground, and at the same time divert the enemy's attention from his real purpose by a show of active operations. For some days his workmen had been employed in con- 195 structing a military machine of his own invention. It was called a manta, and was contrived somewhat on the principle of the mantelets used in the wars of the Middle Ages. It was, however, more complicated, consisting of a tower made of light beams and planks, having two chamber , 200 one over the other. These were to be filled with musketeers, and the sides were provided with loop-holes^ through which a fire could be kept up on the enemy. The great advantage proposed by this contrivance was, to afi'ord a defence to the troops against the missiles hurled from the terraces. These 205 machines, three of which were made, rested on rollers, and were provided with strong ropes, by which they were to be dragged along the streets by the Tlascalan auxiliaries. The Mexicans gazed with astonishment on this warlike machinery, and as the rolling fortresses advanced, belching 210 forth fire and smoke from their entrails, the enemy, in- capable of making an impression on those within, fell back in dismay. By bringing the manias under the walls of the houses, the Spaniards were enabled to fire with effect on the mischievous tenants of the azoteas; and when this did 215 not silence them, by letting a ladder, or light drawbridge, fall on the roof from the top of the mania, they opened a IX.] SHAEP COMBATS IN THE CITY. 75 passage to tlie terrace, and closed witli tke com'batants hand to hand. They could not, however, thus approach the higher buildings, from which the Indian warriors threw down such heavy masses of stone and timber as dislodged 220 the planks that covered the machines, or, thundering against their sides, shook the frail edifices to their foundations, threatening all within with indiscriminate ruin. Indeed the success of the experiment was doubtful, when the inter- vention of a canal put a stop to their further progress. 225 The Spaniards now found the assertion of their enemies too well confirmed. The bridge which traversed the opening had been demolished; and although the canals which intersected the city were in general of no great width or depth, the removal of the bridges not only impeded the 230 movements of the general's clumsy machines, but efi'ectually disconcerted those of his cavalry. Resolving to abandon the manias, he gave orders to fill up the chasm with stone, timber, and other rubbish drawn from the ruined buildings, and to make a new passage-way for the army. While this 235 labour was going on, the Aztec slingers and archers on the other side of the opening kept up a gaUing discharge on the Christians, the more defenceless from the nature of their occupation. When the work was completed, and a safe passage secured, the Spanish cavaliers rode briskly against 240 the enemy, who, unable to resist the shock of the steel-clad column, fell back with precipitation to where another canal afforded a similar strong position for defence. There were no less than seven of these canals, intersecting the great street of Tlacopan, and at every one the same 245 scene was renewed, the Mexicans making a gallant stand, and inflicting some loss, at each, on their persevering antagonists. These operations consumed two days, when, after incredible toil, the Spanish general had the satisfaction to find the line of communication completely re-established 250 through the whole length of the avenue, and the principal bridges placed under strong detachments of infantry. At this juncture, when he had driven the foe before him to the furthest extremity of the street, where it touches on the 76 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [iX. 255 causeway, he was informed that the Mexicans, disheartened by their reverses, desired to open a parley with him respect- ing the terms of an accommodation, and that their chiefs awaited his return for that purpose at the fortress. Over- joyed at the intelligence, he instantly rode back, attended 260 by Alvarado, Sandoval, and about sixty of the cavaliers, to his quarters. The Mexicans proposed that he should release the two priests captured in the temple, who might be the bearers of his terms, and serve as agents for conducting the 265 negotiation. They were accordingly sent with the requisite instructions to their countrymen. But they did not return. The whole M'as an artifice of the enemy, anxious to procure the liberation of their religious leaders, one of whom was their teoteudU, or high priest, whose presence was indis- 270 pensable in the probable event of a new coronation. Cortes, meanwhile, relying on the prospects of a speedy arrangement, was hastily taking some refreshment with his officers, after the fatigues of the day, when he received the alarming tidings, that the enemy were in arms again, with 275 more fury than ever ; that they had overpowered the detachments posted under Alvarado at three of the bridges, and were busily occupied in demolishing them. Stung with shame at the facility with which he had been duped by his wily foe, or rather by his own sanguine hopes, Cortes threw 280 himself into the saddle, and, followed by his brave com- panions, galloped back at full speed to the scene of action. The Mexicans recoiled before the impetuous charge of the Spaniards. The bridges were again restored; and Cortes and his chivalry rode down the whole extent of the great 285 street, driving the enemy, like frightened deer, at the points of their lances. But before he could return on his steps, he had the mortification to find, that the indefatigable foe, gathering from the adjoining lanes and streets, had again closed on his infantry, who, worn down by fatigue, were 290 unable to maintain their position, at one of the principal bridges, ^ew swarms of warriors now poured in on all sides, overwhelming the little band of Christian cavaliers IX.] DEATH OF MONTEZUMA. 77 with a storm of stones, darts, and arrows, which rattled like hail on their armour and on that of their horses. Most of the missiles, indeed, glanced harmless from the good panoplies 295 of steel, or thick quilted cotton; but, now and then, one better aimed penetrated the joints of the harness, and stretched the rider on the ground. The confusion became greater around the broken bridge. Some of the horsemen were thrown into the canal, and 300 their steeds floundered wildly about without a rider. Cortes himself, at this crisis, did more than any other to cover the retreat of his followers. While the bridge was repairing, he plunged boldly into the midst of the barbarians, striking down an enemy at every vault of his charger, cheering on 305 his own men, and spreading terror through the ranks of his opponents by the well-known sound of his battle-cry. Never did he display greater hardihood, or more freely expose his person, emulating, says an old chronicler, the feats of the Roman Codes. In this way he stayed the tide of assailants, 310 till the last man had crossed the bridge, when, some of the planks having given way, he was compelled to leap a chasm of full six feet in width, amidst a cloud of missiles, before he could place himself in safety. A report ran through the army that the general was slain. It soon spread through 315 the city, to the great joy of the Mexicans, and reached the fortress, where the besieged were thrown into no less con- sternation. But, happily for them it was false. He, indeed, received two severe contusions on the knee, but in other respects remained uninjured. At no time, however, had 320 he been in such extreme danger ; and his escape, and that of his companions, were esteemed little less than a miracle. The coming of night dispersed the Indian battalions, which, vanishing like birds of ill-omen from the field, left 325 the well-contested pass in possession of the Spaniards. They returned, however, with none of the joyous feelings of conquerors to their citadel, but with slow step and dis- pirited, with weapons hacked, armour battered, and fainting under the loss of blood, fasting, and fatigue. In this 330 78 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [iX. condition they had yet to learn the tidings of a fresh misfortune in the death of Montezuma. The Indian monarch had rapidly declined, since he had received his injury, sinking, however, quite as much under 335 the anguish of a wounded spirit, as under disease. He continued in the same moody state of insensibility as that already described ; holding little communication with those around him, deaf to consolation, obstinately rejecting all medical remedies, as well as nourishment. Perceiving his 340 end approach, some of the cavaliers present in the fortress, whom the kindness of his manners had personally attached to him, were anxious to save the soul of the dying prince from the sad doom of those who perish in the darkness of unbelief. They accordingly waited on him, with Father 345 Olmedo at their head, and in the most earnest manner implored him to open his eyes to the error of his creed, and consent to be baptized. But Montezuma — whatever may have been suggested to the contrary — seems never to have faltered in his hereditary faith. 350 When Father Olmedo, therefore, kneeling at his side, with the uplifted crucifix, affectionately besought him to embrace the sign of man's redemption, he coldly repulsed the priest, exclaiming, " I have but a few moments to live, and will not at this hour desert the faith of my fathers." 355 One thing, however, seemed to press heavily on Monte- zuma's mind. This was the fate of his children, especially of three daughters, whom he had by his two wives ; for there were certain rites of marriage, which distinguished the lawful wife from the concubine. Calling Cortes to his bed- 360 side, he earnestly commended these children to his care, as ''the most precious jewels that he could leave him." He besought the general to interest ^his master, the emperor, in their behalf, and to see that they should not be left destitute, but be allowed some portion of their rightful inheritance. 365 " Your lord will do this," he concluded, " if it were only for the friendly offices I have rendered the Spaniards, and for the love I have shown them — though it has brought me to this condition! But for this I bear them no ill-will." Such, IX.] DEATH OF MONTEZUMA. 79 according to Cortes himself, were the words of the dying monarch. Not long after, on the 30th of June, 1520, he 370 expired in the arms of some of his own nobles, who still re- mained faithful in their attendance on his person. The Spanish commander showed all respect for his memory. His body, arrayed in its royal robes, was laid decently on a bier, and borne on the shoulders of his nobles 375 to his subjects in the city. What honours, if any, indeed, were paid to his remains is uncertain. A sound of wailing, distinctly heard in the western quarters of the capital, was interpreted by the Spaniards into the moans of a funeral procession, as it bore the body to be laid among those of his 380 ancestors, under the princely shades of Chapoltepec. CHAPTER X. COUNCIL OF WAR— SPANIARDS EVACUATE THE CITY — NOCHE TRISTE, OR "the melancholy night" — TERRIBLE SLAUGHTER— HALT FOR THE NIGHT— AMOUNT OF LOSSES. 1520. THERE was no longer any question as to the expediency of evacuating the capital. The only doubt was as to the time of doing so, and the route. The Spanish commander called a council of officers to deliberate on these matters. It 5 was his purpose to retreat on Tlascala, and in that capital to decide according to circumstances on his future operations. After some discussion, they agreed on the causeway of Tlacopan as the avenue by which to leave the city. It would, indeed, take them back by a circuitous route, con- 10 siderably longer than either of those by which they had approached the capital. But, for that reason, it would be less likely to be guarded, as least suspected ; and the cause- way itself being shorter than either of the other entrances, would sooner place the army in comparative security on the 15 main land. There was some difference of opinion in respect to the hour of departure. The day-time, it was argued by some, would be preferable, since it would enable them to see the nature and extent of their danger, and to provide against it. 20 Darkness would be much more likely to embarrass their own movements than those of the enemy, who were familiar with the ground. A thousand impediments would occur in the night, which might prevent their acting in concert, or obeying, or even ascertaining, the orders of the commander. 25 But on the other hand it was urged, that the night X.] THE SPANTAHDS EVACTJATE THE CIT\. 91 presented many obvious advantages in dealing with a foe Avho rarely carried his hostilities beyond the day. The lato active operations of the Spaniards had thrown the Mexicans off their guard, and it was improbable they would anticipate so speedy a departure of their enemies. With celerity and 30 caution they might succeed, therefore, in making their escape from the town, possibly over the causeway, before their retreat should be discovered ; and, could they once get beyond that pass of peril, they felt little apprehension for the rest. 35 The general's first care was to provide for the safe trans- portation of the treasure. Many of the common soldiers had converted their share of the prize, as we have seen, into gold chains, collars, or other ornaments, which they easily carried about their persons. But the royal fifth, together with that 40 of Cortes himself, and much of the rich booty of the principal cavaliers, had been converted into bars and wedges of solid gold, and deposited in one of the strong apartments of the palace. Cortes delivered the share belong- ing to the Crown to the royal ojBEicers, assigning them one of 45 the strongest horses, and a guard of Castilian soldiers to transport it. Still, much of the treasure belonging both to the Crown and to individuals was necessarily abandoned, from the want of adequate means of conveyance. The metal lay scattered in shining heaps along the floor, exciting the 50 cupidity of the soldiers. " Take what you will of it," said Cortes to his men. " Better you should have it than these Mexican hounds. But be careful not to overload your- selves. He travels safest in the dark night who travels lightest." His own more wary followers took heed to his 55 counsel, helping themselves to a few articles of least bulk, though, it might be, of greatest value. But the troops of Narvaez, pining for riches, of which they had heard so much, and hitherto seen so little, showed no such discretion. To them it seemed as if the very mines of Mexico were 60 turned up before them, and, rushing on the treacherous spoil, they greedily loaded themselves with as much of it, not merely as they could accommodate about their persons, Q 82 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [x. but as they could stow away in wallets, boxes, or any otber 65 mode of conveyance at their disposal. Cortes next arranged' the order of march. The van, composed of two hundred Spanish foot, he placed under the command of the valiant Gonzalo de Sandoval, supported by Diego de Ordaz, Francisco de Lnjo, and about twenty other 70 cavaliers. The rearguard, constituting the strength of the infantry, was instrusted to Pedro de Alvarado, and Velasquez de Leon. The general himself took charge of the " battle," or centre, in which went the baggage, some of the heavy guns, most of which, however, remained in the rear, the 75 treasure, and the prisoners. These consisted of a son and two daughters of Montezuma, Cacama, the deposed lord of Tezcuco, and several other nobles, whom Cortes retained as important pledges in his future negotiations with the enemy. The Tlascalans were distributed pretty equally 80 among the three divisions ; and Cortes had under his imme- diate command a hundred picked soldiers, his own veterans most attached to his service, who, with Christoval de Olid, Francisco de Morla, Alonso de Avila, and two or three other cavaliers, formed a select corps, to act wherever 85 occasion might require. The general had already superintended the construction of a portable bridge to be laid over the open canals in the causeway. This was given in charge to an officer named Magarino, with forty soldiers under his orders, all pledged 90 to defend the passage to the last extremity. The bridge was to be taken up when the entire army had crossed one of the breaches, and transported to the next. There were three of these openings in the causeway, and most fortunate would it have been for the expedition, if the foresight of the 95 commander had provided the same number of bridges. But the labour would have been great, and time was short. At midnight the troops were under arms, in readiness for the march. Mass was performed by Father Olmedo, who invoked the protection of the Almighty through the awful 100 perils of the night. The gates were thrown open, and, on the first of July, 1520, the Spaniards for the last time X.] THE SPANIARDS EVACUATE THE CITY. 83 sallied forth from the walls of the ancient fortress, the scene of so much suffering and such indomitahle courage. The night was cloudy, and a drizzling rain, which fell without intermission, added to the obscurity. The great 105 square before the palace was deserted, as, indeed, it had been since the fall of Montezuma. Steadily, and as noise- lessly as possible, the Spaniards held their way along the great street of Tlacopan, which so lately had resounded to the tumult of battle. All was now hushed in silence ; and 110 they were only reminded of the past by the occasional presence of some solitary corpse, or a dark heap of the slain, which too plainly told where the strife had been hottest. As they passed along the lanes and alleys which opened into the great street, or looked down the canals, 115 whose polished surface gleamed with a sort of ebon lustre through the obscurity of night, they easily fancied that they discerned the shadowy forms of their foe lurking in ambush, and ready to spring on them. But it 'was only fancy ; and the city slept undisturbed even by the prolonged 120 echoes of the tramp of the horses, and the hoarse rumbling of the artillery and baggage trains. At length a lighter space beyond the dusky line of buildings showed the van of the army that it was emerging on the open causeway. They might well have congratulated themselves on having 125 thus escaped the dangers of an assault in the city itself, and that a brief time would place them in comparative safety on the opposite shore. But the Mexicans were not all asleep. As the Spaniards drew near the spot where the street 130 opened on the causeway, and were preparing to lay the portable bridge across the uncovered breach which now met their eyes, several Indian sentinels, who had been stationed at this, as at the other approaches to the city, took the alarm, and fled, rousing their countrymen by their cries. 135 The priests, keeping their night watch on the summit of the teocallis, instantly caught the tidings and sounded their shells, while the huge drum in the desolate temple of the war-god sent forth those solemn tones, which, heard only in 84 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. X.] 140 seasons of calamity, vibrated through every corner of the capital. The Spaniards saw that no time was to be lost. The bridge was brought forward and fitted with all possible expedition. Sandoval was the first to try its strength, and, riding across, was followed by his little body of chivalry, his 145 infantry, and Tlascalan allies, who formed the first division of the army. Then came Cortes and his squadrons, with the baggage, ammunition waggons, and a part of the artillery. But before they had time to defile across the narrow passage, a gathering sound was heard, like that of 150 a mighty forest agitated by the winds. It grew louder and louder, while on the dark waters of the lake was heard a splashing noise, as of many oars. Then came a few stones and arrows striking at random among the hurrying troops. They fell every moment faster and more furious, till they 155 thickened into a terrible tempest, while the very heavens were rent with the yells and war-cries of myriads of combatants, who seemed all at once to be swarming over land and lake ! The Spaniards pushed steadily on through this arrowy 160 sleet, though the barbarians, dashing their canoes against the sides of the causeway, clambered up and broke in upon their ranks. But the Christians, anxious only to make their escape, declined all combat except for self-preservation. The cavaliers, spurring forward their steeds, shook off their 165 assailants, and rode over their prostrate bodies, while the men on foot with their good swords or the butts of their pieces drove them headlong again down the sides of the dike. But the advance of several thousand men, marching, probably, on a front of not more than fifteen or twenty 170 abreast, necessarily required much time, and the leading files had already reached the second breach in the causeway before those in the rear had entirely traversed the first. Here they halted; as they had no means of effecting a passage, smarting all the while under unintermitting volleys 175 from the enemy, who were clustered thick on the waters around this second opening. Sorely distressed, the van- guard sent repeated messages to the rear to demand the X.] TEREIBLE SLAUGHTER. 85 portable bridge. At length- the last of the army had crossed, and Magarino and his sturdy followers endeavoured to raise the ponderous framework. But it stuck fast in the 180 sides of the dike. In vain they strained every nerve. The weight of so many men and horses, and above all of the heavy artillery, had wedged the timbers so firmly in the stones and earth, that it was beyond their power to dislodge them. Still they laboured amidst a torrent of missiles, 185 until, many of them slain, and all wounded, they were obliged to abandon the attempt. The tidings soon spread from man to man, and no sooner was their dreadful import comprehended, than a cry of despair arose, which for a moment droAvned all the noise of 190 conflict. All means of retreat were cut off. Scarcely hope was left. The only hope was in such desperate exertions as each could make for himself. Order and subordination were at an end. Intense danger produced intense selfishness. Each thought only of his own life. Pressing forward, he 195 trampled down the weak and the wounded, heedless whether it were friend or foe. The leading files, urged on by the rear, were crowded on the brink of the gulf. Sandoval, Ordaz, and the other cavaliers dashed into the water. Some succeeded in swimming their horses across ; 200 others failed, and some, who reached the opposite bank, being overturned in the ascent, rolled headlong with their steeds into the lake. The infantry followed peUmell, heaped promiscuously on one another, frequently pierced by the shafts, or struck down by the war-clubs of the Aztecs ; 205 while many an unfortunate victim was dragged half-stunned on board their canoes, to be reserved for a protracted, but more dreadful death. The carnage raged fearfully along the length of the causeway. Its shadowy bulk presented a mark of sufficient 210 distinctness for the enemy's missiles, which often prostrated their own countrymen in the blind fury of the tempest. Those nearest the dike, running their canoes alongside, with a force that shattered them to pieces, leaped on the land and grappled with the Christians, until both came rolling 215 86 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [x. down the side of the' causeway together. But the Aztec fell among his friends, while his antagonist was borne away in triumph to the sacrifice. The struggle was long and deadly. The Mexicans were recognised by their white 220 cotton tunics, which showed faint through their darkness. Above the combatants rose a wild and discordant clamour, in which horrid shouts of vengeance were mingled with groans of agony, with invocations of the saints and the blessed Virgin, and with the screams of women ; for there 225 were several women, both native and Spaniards, who had accompanied the Christian camp. Among these, one named Maria de Estrada is particularly noticed for the courage she displayed, battling with broadsword and target like the stanchest of the warriors. 230 The opening in the causeway, meanwhile, was filled up with the wreck of matter which had been forced into it, am munition- waggons, heavy guns, bales of rich stuffs scattered over the waters, chests of solid ingots, and bodies of men and horses, till over this dismal ruin a passage was gradually 235 formed, by which those in the rear were enabled to clamber to the other side. Cortes, it is said, found a place that was fordable, where, halting with the water up to his saddle- girths, he endeavoured to check the confusion, and lead his followers by a safer path to the opposite bank. But his 240 voice was lost in the wild uproar, and finally, hurrying on with the tide, he pressed forwards with a few trusty cavaliers, who remained near his person, to the van ; but not before he had seen his favourite page, Juan de Salazar, struck down, a corpse, by his side. Here he found Sandoval and 245 his companions, halting before the third and last breach, endeavouring to cheer on their followers to surmount it. But their resolution faltered. It was wide and deep ; though the passage was not so closely beset by the enemy as the preceding ones. The cavaliers again set the example by 250 plunging into the water. Horse and foot followed as they could, some swimming, others v/ith dying grasp clinging to the manes and tails of the struggling animals. Those fared best, as the general had predicted, who travelled lightest; X.] TERRIBLE SLAUGHTER. 87 and many were the mifortunate wretches, who, weighed down by the fatal gold they loved so well, were buried with 255 it in the salt floods of the lake. Cortes, with his gallant comrades, Olid, Morla, Sandoval, and some few others, still kept in the advance, leading his broken remnant off the fatal causeway. The din of battle lessened in the distance ; when the rumour reached them that the rear-guard would 260 be wholly overwhelmed without speedy relief. It seemed almost an act of desperation; but the generous hearts of the Spanish cavaliers did not stop to calculate danger when the cry for succour reached them. Turning their horses' bridles, they galloped back to the theatre of action, worked 265 their way through the press, swam the canal, and placed themselves in the thick of the melee on the opposite bank. The first grey of the morning was now coming over the waters. It showed the hideous confusion of the scene which had been shrouded in the obscurity of night. The dark 270 masses of combatants, stretching along the dike, were seen struggling for mastery, until the very causeway on which they stood appeared to tremble, and reel to and fro, as if shaken by an earthquake ; while the bosom of the lake, as far as the eye could reach, was darkened by canoes crowded 275 with warriors, whose spears and bludgeons, armed with blades of " volcanic glass," gleamed in the morning light. The cavaliers found Alvarado unhorsed, and defending himself with a poor handful of followers against an over- whelming tide of the enemy. His good steed, which had 280 borne him through many a hard fight, had fallen under him. He was himself wounded in several places, and was striving in vain to rally his scattered column, which was driven to the verge of the canal by the fury of the enemy, then in possession of the whole rear of the causeway, where 285 they were reinforced every hour by fresh combatants from the city. The artillery in the earlier part of the engage- ment had not been idle, and its iron shower, sweeping along the dike, had mowed down the assailants by hundreds. But nothing could resist their impetuosity. The front 290 yanks, pushed on b^ those behind, were at length forced up 88 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [X. to the pieces, and pouring over them like a torrent, over- threw men and guns in one general ruin. The resolute charge of the Spanish cavaliers, who had now arrived, 295 created a temporary check, and gave time for their country- men to make a feeble rally. But they were speedily borne down by the returning flood. Cortes and his companions were compelled to plunge again into the lake, though all did not escape. Alvarado stood on the brink for a moment, 300 hesitating what to do. Unhorsed as he was, to throw him- self into the water in the face of the hostile canoes that now swarmed around the opening, aff'orded but a desperate chance of safety. He had but a second for thought. He was a man of powerful frame, and despair gave him un- 305 natural energy. Setting his long lance firmly on the wreck which strewed the bottom of the lake, he sprung forward with all his might, and cleared the wide gap at a leap ! Aztecs and Tlascalans gazed in stupid amazement, exclaiming, as they beheld the incredible feat, "This is truly the 310 Tonatiuh — the child of the sun ! " The breadth of the opening is not given. But it was so great, that the valorous Captain Diaz, who well remembered the place, says the leap was impossible to any man. Other contemporaries, how- ever, do not discredit the story. It was beyond doubt 315 matter of popular belief at the time. It is to this day familiarly known to every inhabitant of the capital ; and the name of the Salto de Alvarado, "Alvarado's leap," given to the spot, still commemorates an exploit which rivalled those of the demigods of Grecian fable. 320 Cortes and his companions now rode forward to the front, where the troops, in a loose, disorderly manner, were march- ing off the fatal causeway. A few only of the enemy hung on their rear, or annoyed them by occasional flights of arrows from the lake. The attention of the Aztecs was 325 diverted by the rich spoil that strewed the battle-ground, fortunately for the Spaniards, who, had their enemy pursued with the same ferocity with which he had fought, would, in their crippled condition, have been cut off probably to a flia^. But little molested, therefore, they were allowed to X.] HALT FOR THE NIGHT. 89 defile through the adjacent village, or suburbs, it might be 330 called, of Popotla. The Spanish commander there dismounted from his jaded steed, and sitting down on the steps of an Indian temple, gazed mournfully on the broken files as they passed before him. What a spectacle did they present ! The cavalry, 335 most of them dismounted, were mingled with the infantry, who dragged their feeble limbs along with difficulty ; their shattered mail and tattered garments dripping with the salt ooze, showing through their rents many a bruise and ghastly wound ; their bright arms soiled, their proud crests and 340 banners gone, the baggage, artillery — all, in short, that constitutes the pride and panoply of glorious wdv, for ever lost. Cortes, as he looked wistfully on their thinned and disordered ranks, sought in vain for many a familiar face, and missed more than one dear companion who had stood 345 side by side with him through all the perils of the Conquest. Though accustomed to control his emotions, or at least to conceal them, the sight was too much for him. He covered his face with his hands, and the tears which trickled down revealed too plainly the anguish of his soul. 350 He found some consolation, however, in the sight of several of the cavaliers on whom he most relied. Alvarado, Sandoval, Olid, Ordaz, Avila, were yet safe. He had the inexpressible satisfaction, also, of learning the safety of the Indian interpreter, Marina, so dear to him, and so import- 355 ant to the army. She had been committed with a daughter of a Tlascalan chief, to several of that nation. She was fortunately placed in the van, and her faithful escort had carried her securely through all the dangers of the night. Aguilar, the other interpreter, had also escaped ; and it was 360 with no less satisfaction that Cortes learned the safety of the ship-builder, Martin Lopez. The general's solicitude for the fate of this man, so indispensable, as he proved, to the success of his subsequent operations, show^ed that amidst all his affliction, his indomitable spirit was looking forward to 365 the hour of vengeance. Meanwhile, the advancing column had reached the neigh- 90 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [x. bouring city of Tlacopan (Tacuba), once the capital of an independent principality. There it halted in the great street, 370 as if bewildered and altogether uncertain what course to take ; like a herd of panic-struck deer, who, flying from the hunters, with the cry of hound and horn still ringing in their ears, look wildly around for some glen or copse in which to plunge for concealment. Cortes, who had hastily 375 mounted and rode on to the front again, saw the danger of remaining in a populous place, where the inhabitants might sorely annoy the troops from the azoteas^ with little risk to themselves. Pushing forward, thtrefore, he soon led them into the country. There he endeavoured to reform his 380 disorganised battalions, and bring them to something like order. Hard by, at no great distance on the left, rose an eminence, looking towards a chain of mountains which fences in the Valley on the west. It was called the Hill of Otoncalpolco, 385 and sometimes the Hill of Montezuma. It was crowned with an Indian teocalli^ with its large outworks of stone covering an ample space, and by its strong position, which commanded the neighbouring plain, promised a good place of refuge for the exhausted troops. But the men, disheartened 390 and stupified by their late reverses, seemed for the moment incapable of further exertion ; and the place was held by a body of armed Indians. Cortes saw the necessity of dis- lodging them, if he would save the remains of his army from entire destruction. The event showed he still held a control 395 over their wills stronger than circumstances themselves. Cheering them on, and supported by his gallant cavaliers, he succeeded in infusing into the most sluggish something of his own intrepid temper, and led them up the ascent in face of the enemy. But the latter made slight resistance, 400 and after a few feeble volleys of missiles, which did little injury, left the ground to the assailants. It was covered by a building of considerable size, and furnished ample accommodations for the diminished numbers of the Spaniards. They found there some provisions ; and 405 more, it is said, were brought to them in the course of the X.] AMOUNT OF LOSSES. 91 clay from some friendly Otomie villages in the neighbour- hood. There was, also, a quantity of fuel in the courts, destined to the uses of the temple. With this they made fires to dry their drenched garments, and busily employed themselves in dressing one another's wounds, stiff and ex- 410 tremely painful from exposure and long exertion. Thus refreshed, the weary soldiers threw themselves down on the floor and courts of the temples, and soon found the temporary oblivion which nature seldom denies even in the greatest extremity of suffering. 415 The loss sustained by the Spaniards on this fatal night, like every other event in the history of the Conquest, is reported with the greatest discrepancy. If we believe Cortes' own letter, it did not exceed one hundred and fifty Spaniards, and two thousand Indians. But the general's 420 bulletins, while they do full justice to the difficulties to be overcome, and the importance of the results, are less scrupulous in stating the extent either of his means or of his losses. Thoan Cano, one of the cavaliers present, estimates the slain at eleven hundred and seventy Spaniards, and 425 eight thousand allies. Eut this is a greater number than we have allowed for the whole army. Perhaps we may come nearest the truth by taking the computation of Gomara, the chaplain of Cortes, who had free access doubtless, iiot only to the general's papers, but to other authentic sources of infor- 430 mation. According to him, the number of Christians killed and missing was four hundred and fifty, and that of natives four thousand. This, with the loss sustained in the conflicts of the previous week, may have reduced the former to something more than a third, and the latter to a fourth, or, 435 perhaps, fifth, of the original force with which they entered the capital. The brunt of the action fell on the rear-guard, few of whom escaped. It was formed chiefly of the soldiers of Narvaez, who fell the victims in some measure of their cupidity. Forty-six of the cavalry were cut off, which with 440 previous losses reduced the number in this branch of the service to twenty-three, and some of these in very poor condition. The greater part of the treasure, the baggage, the 92 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [x. general's papers, including his accounts, and a minute diary 445 of transactions since leaving Cuba — which, to posterity, at least, would have been of more worth than the gold — had been swallowed up by the waters. The ammunition, the beautiful little train of artillery, with which Cortes had entered the city, were all gone. Not a musket even remained, 450 the men having thrown them away, eager to disencumber themselves of all that might retard their escape on that disastrous night. Nothing, in short, of their military apparatus was left, but their swords, their crippled cavalry, and a few damaged crossbows, to assert the superiority of the 455 European over the barbarian. The prisoners, including, as already noticed, the children of Montezuma and the cacique of Tezcuco, all perished by the hands of their ignorant countrymen, it is said, in the indiscriminate fury of the assault. There were, also, some 460 persons of consideration among the Spaniards, whose names were inscribed on the same bloody roll of slaughter. Such was Francisco de Morla, who fell by the side of Cortes, on returning with him to the rescue. But the greatest loss was that of Juan Velasquez de Leon, who, with Alvarado, had 465 command of the rear. Such were the disastrous results of this terrible passage of the causeway ; more disastrous than those occasioned by any other reverse which has stained the Spanish arms in the New World ; and which have branded the night on which it 470 happened, in the national annals, with the name of the noche triste, " the sad or melancholy night," SUMMARY OF THE REMAINING EVENTS THE retreat of the Spaniards was not left unmolested. Crowds of Aztecs hung on the rear of the army, cutting off stragglers, and menacing the safety of the whole line of march. When, on the seventh day after leaving the capital, they descended into the valley of Otumba, it was only to find their path blocked by a mighty host, filling up the whole depth of the valley. Eetreat was impossible. Cortes must advance or perish. After a desperate battle the victory rested with the Spaniards, thanks to the valour of their leader and the little band of heroes who formed his body- guard. After this victory the Spaniards retreated unmolested to Tlascala, where they were received in the most friendly manner by the citizens of that brave republic. Soon after, ambassadors from Mexico arrived, proposing that Tlascala should unite with Mexico in finally -driving the invaders from their shores, at the same time offering most favourable terms of alliance. Chiefly owing to the advice of Maxixca, and in spite of Xicotencatl's patriotic speech, the Senate of Tlascala determined to throw in their lot with the Spaniards, and unanimously rejected the proffered alliance of their old foe. Eeassured by the result of the deliberations in the Tlascalan Senate, the Spanish commander determined to resume the ofiensive. His plan was to restore confidence to his troops by attacking the neighbouring tribes who had thrown off their allegiance to the Spaniards, and to weaken the Aztecs by depriving them one by one of their allies. In pursuance of this plan he reduced the TejDeacans and other tribes, and on the unexpected arrival of reinforcements from Cuba found himself strong enough to cross the Sierra 04 CONQUEST OS" MEXICO. again, and occupy Tezcuco. With the recollection of the " Noche Triste" fresh in his memory, Cortes determined not again to attack the capital until a second fleet of vessels, similar to those constructed under his orders during Monte- zuma's time, should be completed. Pending their completion he attacked the neighbouring towns, fostered dissensions among the cities subject to the Aztecs, and thus gradually drew closer to Mexico every day. When the brigantines were constructed, and had been transported in pieces to Tezcuco on the shoulders of the faithful Tlascalan "tamanes," Cortes determined to march directly against Mexico. Before leaving Tezcuco he mustered his forces in the great square of the city. He found they amounted to ■eighty-seven horse and eight hundred and eighteen foot. He had also three large field- pieces of iron, and fifteen lighter guns or falconets of brass. Fifty thousand volunteers joined his standard from Tlascala alone. Indeed every day saw the numbers of his Indian allies increased by disaff'ec- tion among the tributary cities of the Aztecs. Cortes determined to divide his army into three separate camps, which he proposed to establish at the extremities of the principal causeways. Alvarado was to command the first, and to occupy Tacuba, which commanded the fatal causeway of the "^oche Triste"; Olid was to command the second, and take up his position at Cojohuacan, the city overlooking the short causeway connected with that of Iztapalapan ; while Sandoval was to occupy the latter city. Cortes himself took command of the fleet, which was to sweep the lake and to cut off the supplies of the city. On the 7th of May, in spite of the stubborn resistance of the Aztecs, the three generals had established themselves in their respective camps. Cortes was not, however, content to wait patiently the effects of a dilatory blockade; he determined to support it by such active assaults on the city as should hasten the hour of surrender. On the occasion of the first assault he penetrated as far as the great square, and had even taken possession of the principal " teocalli," when the sudden fury of the Mexicans forced him to a disastrous CONQUEST OF, MEXICO. 95 and almost fatal retreat. On repeating the attack a few days later he found that the breaches in the causeways had been restored to their former condition, and that every step onward had to be contested as hotly as before. It was only step by step that he fought his way a second time into the great square, but this time he determined to strike terror into the hearts of the inhabitants. The soldiers were ordered to destroy with fire the old palace of Axayacatl, their former barracks — a task they willingly performed. After completing this work of destruction, Cortes again withdrew to his camps on the outskirts of the city, hoping that this severe blow might induce the Mexicans to come to terms of surrender ; but in vain. Their stubborn resistance was still maintained, the breaches were again filled up, and every effort made to resist the attack of the invaders. Once more Cortes attempted a general attack, and issued the most stringent orders to his captains not to advance before they had secured their retreat by solidly filling up the ditches and openings in the causeways. The Aztecs retreated more readily than before, and thus drew their foe on to the centre of the city. Elated by their rapid advance the Spaniards neglected Cortes' orders, and only partially and carelessly filled up the breacbes. When the Mexicans had drawn their foe far into the city, they turned on them with irresist- ible fury, and drove them back in confusion along the causeways, inflicting severe losses and capturing prisoners at each of the hurriedly-repaired breaches. Their triumph was celebrated as evening drew on by the solemn sacrifice of the prisoners in full sight of the Spanish armies. Cortes then determined to alter his plan of action. A strict blockade was to be put in force by the brigantines, supphes from the lake — the only way by which provisions could be conveyed into the city — were to be cut ofi", while the three armies were to advance slowly, systematically destroying the city as they advanced. Every break in the causeway, every canal in the streets, was to be filled up in so solid a manner that the work should not be again disturbed. The materials were to be furnished by the buildings, every one of which 96 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. was to be destroyed. The work proceeded slowly but surely, and it was not till the end of July that the Spaniards had pushed their work of desolation as far as the great square. All attempts on the part of the Spaniards to induce the Aztecs to surrender had hitherto been sternly rejected ; famine and pestilence raged throughout the city. But now the end came ; the inhabitants were too weak from misery and starvation to offer any effective resistance, though their hatred for their conquerors remained as fierce as ever. The final struggle was mere butchery ; the victims would not surrender, and were too feeble to resist. Of all the teeming population of the city, we are told that only from thirty to seventy thousand escaped when Cortes recalled his troops. Over two hundred thousand had perished during the siege. The city was in ruins, much valuable booty was lost to the conquerors, but Cortes had proved himself superior to all difficulties and dangers, and a great empire had been added to the dominions of the king of Spain. NOTES I, 3 According to Cortes, a hundred thousand men offered their services, and even followed the army out of the city. " It was only by my pressing importunities that they were induced to return, with the exception of five or six thousand, who continued in my company." 19 Chilli. A preparation from the dried fruit of a species of capsicum (a genus to which the tomato and potato belong). Chillies, the favourite pickle, are the dried unripe fruit of the capsicum. 20 Cochineal. The Mexicans obtained their dyes from both mineral and vegetable substances. Among them was the rich crimson of the cochineal, the modern rival of the famous Tyrian purple. It was at first supposed to be the seed of a plant, but its true nature as an insect was discovered by the microscope. The cochineal insect is carefully fed on the opuntiae variety of the cactus. In April and May the leaves with the young brood are cut off from the plant and kept under cover till August, when the insects are fully grown. They are then brushed off the leaves and killed by immersion in hot water, or by exposure to the sun. The cactus leaves, when covered by this insect, seem to be powdered over with flour. Some idea of the small size of the " cochineal " may be gathered from the computation that it requires 70,000 of these dried insects to weigh a pound. Cochineal was first introduced into Europe from Mexico in 15 18. 134 The Emperor had been in a state of piteous vacillation. When the news of the landing of the Spaniards was first brought to Montezuma, he summoned an assembly of his chief counsellors. There seems to have been much division of opinion among them. Some were for resisting the strangers at once, whether by open force or fraud ; others contended that they were supernatural beings, and that fraud or force would alike be useless. Finally, Montezuma took a middle course. He sent an embassy with rich presents, and at the same time forbade their approach to the capital. This embassy had failed, as we have seen, and Montezuma could not make up his mind to open resistance or complete submission. 193 Watches of the night. The hours of the night were regulated according to the stars. It was the duty of certain servants of the temple to declare the time to the people by blowing their trumpets. Compare the custom of the watchmen in Old London crying out the hours of the night as they went on their rounds, a custom still observed in Spain at the present day. 98 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [ll- 229 Cross-bow^ or arblast, consisted of a wooden stock with a bow made of wood, iron, or steel crossing it at right angles. The bow- string was pulled down towards the other end of the stock by a lever (worked by the hand or the foot), and retained in its position sometimes by a notch or trigger. The bolt, or "quarrel," was then laid in a groove on the top of the stock, and the trigger being pulled, was shot with considerable force. In England the cross-bow was generally discarded for the long bow, after the thirteenth century, but in the French army the cross-bow was used as late as the seventeenth century. At the battle of Hastings the Normans used the cross-bow, the Saxons the long bow. 278 Holy City into a Pandemonium. Cholula is called the Holy City because of the lengthened stay which the god Quetzalcoatl made there when he was journeying down to the coast to leave Mexico. The great teocalli was erected in memory of this event. This stupendous mound still attracts the attention of the traveller, and rivals in dimensions the pyramids of Egypt. Pandemonium. "The high capital of Satan and his peers," which suddenly rose from the burning lake, and in which the infernal peers sat in council. See Milton, Paradise Lost, book i. 1. 693-760. 29 1 To put a stop to further outrage. Cortes in his letter to Charles V. admits that three thousand were slain ; most accounts say six, and some swell the amount still higher. 316 Hecatombs. Properly a sacrifice of an hundred oxen, but often used in a less strict sense. " If broken vows this heavy curse have laid, Let altars smoke and hecatombs be paid." Pope, Iliad, i. 87. 324 The Emperor expressed his regret. One cannot contemplate this cowardly conduct of Montezuma without mingled feelings of pity and contempt, but it must be remembered that the materials for the story of his life have to be drawn from the writings of the Spaniards— his foes. II. 4 Savannah. An extensive plain of grass, affording pasturage in the rainy season, and with few shrubs growing on it. The Spanish word "sabana" means in the first instance a sheet for a bed, and then a large plain covered with snow. Sartorius gives the following descrip- tion of a Mexican Savannah :— " In the summer months, from June to October, the tropical rains call forth a lively green, thousands of cattle pasture in the rich juicy grass, and afford variety to the uniformity of the landscape. With the cessation of the rains the savannahs fade, the soil dries up, the tress lose their foliage, the herds seek the forests and chasms, and in the cloudless sky the sun scorches up the unsheltered plains." 36 Champaign country (French, campagne), a flat, open country. .II] NOTES. 99 41 Cotton. The dress of the higher Mexican warriors was picturesque and often magnificent. Their bodies were covered with a close vest of quilted cotton, so thick as to be impenetrable to the light missiles of Indian warfare. This garment was so light and serviceable that it was adopted by the Spaniards. 44 Popocatepetl. A great volcano rising to the height of 17,852 feet : more than looo feet higher than Mont Blanc. This was the volcano from which the brave knight Francisco Montano obtained sulphur to assist in making gunpowder for the army. He was let down into the crater in a basket to the depth of 400 feet. This was repeated three or four times, till sufficient sulphur had been collected. 63 Valley of Mexico; or, Tenochtitlan. The word Tenochtitlan signifies " the cactus on the rock." According to Mexican mythology their forefathers arrived on the borders of the Anahuac towards the end of the thirteenth century. At first they did not settle down in any permanent residence. After long wanderings they at length halted on the south-western border of the principal lake. They there beheld, perched on the stem of a prickly pear, a royal eagle of extraordinary size with a serpent in its talons, and its broad wings opened to the rising sun. They hailed the auspicious omen, announced by an oracle, as indicating the site of their future city. The place was called Tenochtitlan in token of its miraculous origin. On any Mexican dollar you will see depicted a rock surrounded by water, and on the rock a cactus growing : on the cactus sits an eagle with a serpent in its beak. Such are the arms of the Mexican Republic. 71 Noble forests of oak and sycamore. A great change has come over the Valley of Mexico in later days. The stately forests have been laid low, and the soil, unsheltered from the radiance of the tropical sun, is in many places abandoned to sterility. The waters of the lake of Tezcuco have receded four miles from the city, leaving a broad margin white with the incrustation of salt ; while the cities and hamlets on its borders have mouldered into ruins. "The causeways which once connected the city of Mexico with the dry land still exist, and have even been enlarged. They look like railway embankments crossing the low ground, and serve as dykes when there is a flood." The Spaniards were great cutters down of forests. Perhaps they liked to make the new country bear a resemblance to the arid plains of Castille, where the traveller is asked by the people of Madrid whether he noticed the tree on the road. 104 Four loads of gold. A load for a Mexican porter (tamane) was about fifty pounds. The porter carries his burden by means of a rope and a broad strap, which passes over his forehead. In the present day the "Indians" of Mexico are famous porters. A traveller makes the following remark about them. "They are so accustomed to carry something on their backs that when one wishes to send one of these 100 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [lll- Indian messengers with a letter, one makes up a package of stones ten or twelve pounds in weight, to which the letter is added, that by this means the bearer may not forget that he has a commission to execute." 204 Chinampas. These wandering islands have now nearly disap- peared. They had their origin in the detached masses of earth, which, loosened from the shores, were still held together by the fibrous roots with which they were penetrated. The Aztecs, in their poverty of land, availed themselves of the hint thus afforded by nature. They constructed rafts of reeds, which, tightly knit together, formed a sufficient basis for the sediment which they drew up from the bottom of the lake. Gradually islands were formed, two or three hundred feet in length, on which the Indian raised his vegetables and flowers for the market. Some of these chinampas were firm enough to allow the growth of small trees and to sustain a hut, the residence of the person in charge of it, who could change, with a long pole, the position of his little territory at pleasure. III. 12 Fallen short of 'jooo. Cortes took about 6000 warriors from Tlascala, and some few Cempoallan allies continued with him. The Spanish force on leaving Vera Cruz amounted to about 400 foot and 15 horse. About 50 of the Spaniards had been lost since the beginning of the campaign. 25 Stucco. A fine plaster composed of lime or gypsum, with .sand and pounded marble, used for internal decoration and fine work. 71 Palanquin. A portable litter resembling an oblong box, in which the traveller reclines on a mattress. The litter is attached to a pole, which is borne on the neck of at least four bearers. In India palanquins have waterproof coverings and Venetian shutters at the side. 129 War-god of the Aztecs. Huitzilopochtli was the tutelary deity and war- god of the Aztecs. His countenance was hideously distorted. In his right hand he wielded a bow, and in his left a bunch of golden arrows. The huge folds of a serpent were coiled round his waist. On his left foot were the feathers of the humming-bird, which gave its name to the dread deity. His most conspicuous ornament was a chain of gold and silver hearts alternate, suspended round his neck, emblematical of the sacrifice in which he most delighted. 186 Siesta. Derived from the Latin word sexta (hora), "the sixth hour after sunrise," i.e., noon. A short sleep taken about mid-day, after dinner. A custom usual in most hot climates. 250 Great Being (the god Quetzalcoatl). See vol. i., note, p. 94. V. 6 Point d'appui. **A rallying place," head quarters. 54 Hieroglyphic scrolls (symbolical writing). From two Greek words meaning " i-elating to sacred writings." The word was especially applied to the picture writing of the ancient Egyptian priests, •VIIl] NOTES. 101 VI, 63 ^//^^^^^(j signifies in Spanish "the golden" region. It was the name given by the Spaniards in the sixteenth century to a country supposed to be situated between the Amazon and the Orinoco. This region was supposed to surpass all others in abundance of gold and precious stones. Expeditions were conducted by Sir Walter Raleigh and others to discover this very paradise of gold, but in vain. The word has now passed into the language of poetry to express a land of boundless wealth. 68 Weights. It is singular that the Mexicans should have had no knowledge of weights and scales. The quantity was determined by measure and number. 74 Pesos d'oro. The "peso d'oro" was equal to about ;^2 12s. 6d. 78 Ducat. The silver ducat is generally of the value of 4s. 6d. , the gold ducat of twice the amount. 279 Narvaez. A Spanish hidalgo, who had assisted Velasquez in the reduction of Cuba. He was a man of some military capacity, though negligent and lax in his discipline. He possessed undoubted courage, but it was mingled with an arrogance, or rather overweening confidence in his own powers, which made him deaf to the suggestions of others more sagacious than himself. He was altogether deficient in that prudence and calculating foresight demanded in a leader who was to cope with an antagonist like Cortes. 283 Tonatiuh. "Child of the sun." Alvarado was so called by the Aztecs from his yellow hair and sunny countenance. See ch. x. 1. 310. VII. 96 The tianguez, or great market of Mexico, was one of the most interesting sights of the city. The Spaniards on their first visit to it were astonished at its size and the multitudes assembled there. In it were met traders from all parts with the manufactures peculiar to their countries. No Spanish writer estimates the numbers assembled in this market at less than forty thousand. 171 In a collateral than ifi a direct line. The sovereign was selected from the brothers of the deceased prince, or, in default of them, from his nephews. VIII. 152 Obsidian. A glassy substance thrown up by volcanoes. 207 Stone of sacrifice. This stone was placed on the summit of the great teocalli. It was a block of jasper, the peculiar shape of which showed it was the stone on which the bodies of the unhappy victims were stretched for sacrifice. Its convex surface, by raising the breast, enabled the priest to perform more easily his diabolical task of removing the heart. The heart of the victim was placed on an altar before the image of Huitzilopotchli. This stone is still pointed out to the curious traveller in the rauseuni ^t Mexico, 102 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [iX-X 289 Tilmatli. The tilmatli, or cloak, thrown over the shoulders and tied round the neck, was made of cotton of different degrees of fineness, according to the condition of the wearer. As the weather grew cooler mantles of fur or of the gorgeous feather -work were sometimes substituted. IX. 185 The best route seemed that of Tlacopan. There were three dykes leading to the city. That of Iztapalapan, by which the Spaniards had entered, approaching the city from the south. That of Tepejacec on the north. Lastly, the dyke of Tlacopan on the west. They were all built in the same substantial manner of lime and stone, were defended by drawbridges, and were wide enough for ten or twelve horsemen to ride abreast. 197 Mantlets. Portable parapets used to protect the besieging force in mediaeval war. 310 Codes. The story of Horatius Codes defending the bridge over the Tiber against Lars Porsena, of Clusium, and the false Sextus Tarquinius is told both by Livy and Polybius. See Macaulay's Lays of Ancient Roi7ie^ *' Horatius." 381 Chapoltcpec^ the residence of the Aztec monarchs, was situated on a hill rising from the lake of Tezcuco on the west side of the capital. Montezuma's gardens stretched for miles round the base of the hill ; and the grounds are still shaded by gigantic cypresses, more than fifty feet in circumference, which were centuries old at the time of the Conquest. The place is now a tangled wilderness of wild shrubs, where the myrtle mingles its dark glossy leaves with the red berries and delicate foliage of the pepper tree. X. 138 Huge drum in the desolate temple. "On the summit of the great teocalli was a huge cylindrical drum made of serpents' skin, and struck only on extraordinary occasions, when it sent forth a melancholy sound that might be heard for miles — a sound of awe in after times to the Spaniards." The Aztec drums are still to be seen. They are made entirely of wood, nearly cylindrical, but swelling out in the middle, and hollowed out of solid logs. All are elaborately carved over with various designs, such as faces, weapons, suns with rays. 312 The leap was impossible to any man. Unfortunately for the lovers of the marvellous, another version is now given of the account of Alvarado's escape, which deprives him of the glory claimed for him by this astounding feat. In the process against him, brought some years after, one of the charges was that he fled from the field, leaving his soldiers to their fate, and escaped by means of a beam which had survived the demolition of the bridge, and still stretched across the chasm from one side to the other. Alvarado in his defence dqes not ieny the existence of this unromantig beam. LBRARY OF CONGRESS