They did not believe, for a moment, that Montezuma would admit the white men to his capital, and in that case there would be great battles, and perhaps much plunder9 to be gained; and therefore, when the Spaniards were again ready to advance, the whole fighting force of Tlascala was placed at their disposal. Cortez, however, declined to take with him so large an army. The appearance of such a force, composed of the bitter foes10 of the Aztecs, would have combined against him the whole strength of that empire, and would have destroyed any hope that might remain of peaceful arrangements. Moreover, the difficulty of feeding so large a body of men would be great, indeed; and as his authority over them would be but feeble, constant broils11 with the Aztecs would be the inevitable12 result. He therefore, with many thanks, declined the offer; but said that he would gladly take with him a force of six thousand volunteers.
The first march was to be to Cholula, whose people had sent a warm invitation to Cortez to visit them; and Montezuma, by his last envoys13, also requested them to journey forward by way of that city.
The Tlascalans had strongly urged him to refuse the invitation. The Cholulans were, they said, a treacherous14 people and not to be trusted. They were bigoted15 beyond the people of other cities, Cholula being the holy city of Anahuac. It was here the god Quetzalcoatl had remained for twenty years on his way down to the coast, instructing the people in the arts of civilization. Here was the great temple of the god, a pyramid whose base covered forty-four acres, and whose height was a hundred and eighty feet; the platform on its summit, where the sacrifices took place, being an acre in size.
Cortez, however, decided16 upon visiting Cholula. He deemed the reports of the Tlascalans to be prejudiced, as there was a long-standing17 animosity between the two peoples; and he thought that, were he to avoid visiting this important town, which lay almost on his road to Mexico, it might be set down by the Aztecs to distrust or fear.
The departure from Tlascala was witnessed by the whole of the population of the state, who assembled to bid the white men farewell, and to wish them success upon their way. A day's march took them to within a mile or two of Cholula. Here they were met by many nobles from the city, who urged them to enter it that evening; but Cortez, bearing in mind the warnings he had received, and thinking it dangerous to enter the streets of an unknown and possibly hostile city after dark, declined to move forward until morning. Seeing the hostility and distrust excited in the minds of his visitors at the sight of the Tlascalans in his camp, he ordered his allies to remain in camp when he advanced in the morning, and to join him only when he left the city on his way to Mexico.
The Spaniards, as they entered Cholula, were greatly struck with the appearance of the city and its inhabitants, it being a very much larger and more highly civilized18 place than any they had yet met with. The buildings were large and handsome, the streets wide, the population very large, and exhibiting in their dress every sign of wealth and luxury. There was, too, a great variety among the population; for, as it was the sacred city of the empire, people from all other parts were in the habit of making pilgrimages there, and most of the towns had their own temples and establishments. So numerous were the temples that fully19 two hundred towers could be counted, rising above the city, with the stupendous pyramid towering above them all.
The Spaniards were quartered in the court of one of the temples, and in the surrounding buildings. As soon as they were established there, the principal nobles of the town paid them visits of ceremony; and presents of everything necessary for their comfort and accommodation, and stores of provisions of all kinds, poured in.
Roger had, in the line of march, taken his place among the troops; but Cortez directed that he should, at other times, be near at hand to him, as he alone of those in the army had any personal knowledge of the country they were to traverse, and could give information as to the size of the towns, the nature of the roads, and the advantages which these offered, respectively, in the supply of provisions likely to be obtained, the facilities for getting water, etc. Cortez therefore, Father Aquilar acting20 as interpreter, enjoined21 him to ramble22 about the city, releasing him from all guards and exercises.
"Now that you are dressed like the rest of us," he said, "none will dream that you understand their language, and as you pass along they will express freely before you the sentiments they may entertain of us. I do not expect them to love us, and doubtless though they may flatter us to our faces, they curse us heartily23 behind our backs. But we care nothing for their curses, or for their ill will, so long as they do not proceed to plots and conspiracies24 against us.
"They seem courteous25 and friendly, and I think that the Tlascalans have spoken far too strongly against them. Nevertheless we will be on our guard. These men are not like our mountain friends, who were rough fighters, but hearty26 and honest people. They are traders, or nobles, or priests, accustomed to let their faces hide their thoughts, but through you we may get nearer to them than we otherwise should do.
"But go not alone. One man can easily be jostled into one of the temples, and made away with, without any being the wiser. I will choose two comrades for you; men of discretion27, and courageous28 without being quarrelsome. With them, too, you will, ere long, begin to recover your mother tongue; which you will never do, so long as you only talk these heathen languages with Marina and Father Aquilar."
Cortez struck the table with his hand, and an attendant entered.
"Summon Juan Algones and Pedro de Gasconda."
In a minute two men entered. Juan was a weatherbeaten soldier, whose face bore the marks of several deep scars, and who had fought for Spain on most of the battlefields of Europe. Pedro was young enough to be his son. Juan had saved his life in a fight with the natives of Cuba, and since then they had been inseparable.
"Juan, I have sent for you to ask you and Pedro to take our new comrade into your party. I know you are always together, and that you are quiet and peaceable, and not given either to quarrel in your cups or to spend your evenings in gambling29 and dicing30. He has, as you know, almost forgotten his own language; and it will be for our advantage, as well as his own, that he should learn it as soon as possible; for as he knows the country and people, it is well that he should be able to communicate with the rest of us, without having to hunt up an interpreter.
"But that is not the principal thing, just at the present moment. We know not whether the people of this city mean treacherously31 towards us, or not. They will not speak in the presence of Donna Marina or of the good Father here, knowing that they are acquainted with the language; but as they will not imagine that this tall Spanish soldier can know aught of what they say, they will not mind speaking out their thoughts before him. Therefore, while he is here it will be his duty to wander about the streets, and learn what the people are saying, and what they think of us. But here, as elsewhere, I have ordered that not less than three men shall go out together.
"I have chosen you to accompany him. You will be free from all other duty."
"That we will do, right willingly," Juan said. "It is pleasanter to walk about the streets, and look at these strange peoples, than it is to be cooped up here. As to the other part of the business, we will do what we can towards teaching him Spanish; but as to being our comrade, that must depend upon himself. I like the young fellow's looks much. He looks honest and straightforward32, though where he got that light wavy33 hair and that fair skin from I can't guess--they are rare enough in Cadiz, where I heard one say that he came from."
"We don't know that he came from there, Juan. He may have come from the mountains of Biscaya, where fair skins are commoner than they are in the south. It is only that he described to us a port, which must have been Cadiz, as the last thing he recollected34 in Spain."
"Ah, well, his skin matters nothing!" the soldier said. "His face is an honest one, and as to height and strength one could wish no better comrade. He is young yet, not more than nineteen or twenty, I should guess; but I will warrant that there is not a man in the expedition he could not put on his back, if it came to a tussle35. At any rate, we will try him.
"What do you say, Pedro?"
"I like his looks," the young fellow said. "At any rate, we are not like to quarrel with him. As to more than that, we can say better when we know more of each other."
Father Aquilar, who had listened attentively36 to all that had been said, explained to Roger the purport37 of the conversation between Cortez and the men. When he had finished, Roger held out his hand to the two soldiers, and gave them a hearty grasp, expressive38 of his willingness to join in the arrangement that had been made.
"He will do, General," Juan said. "We will look after him, never fear."
Cortez gave orders that the three men were to be allowed to leave the quarters and go into the town at all times, without further question; and they at once started for a turn through the streets.
"How are we to begin to teach this young chap to talk, Pedro? It is out of the regular line of duty, altogether."
Pedro shook his head.
"I don't know, comrade. I have heard women teaching their babies to talk, but I should hardly think that would be the way with him."
"No, no, that is quite different, Pedro. You see the little ones have not got their tongues twisted rightly, and they can't talk plain, do as much as they will; but this young fellow could say, plain enough, what we told him. The question is, what are we to tell him?
"Well, he might say it after me, but as he would not have an idea what we meant, I don't see that we should be getting any forwarder."
Roger, however, had already gone through the work of learning the two native languages, and knew how to begin. He touched Juan's sword, and gave the Mexican word for it.
"What does he mean by that, Pedro?"
Roger repeated the action.
"Perhaps he wants to know what you call your sword," Pedro suggested.
"Perhaps it is that. I will try him, anyhow.
"'Spada.'"
Roger nodded, and repeated the word after him, and then touched his own helmet.
"That is what he means," Juan said, with great satisfaction. "What he has got to do is to touch things, and for us to tell him the names."
"That is capital. I had no idea teaching a language was such easy work."
However, after a few more words had been said, and a method established, Roger asked no more questions; his companions being now fully occupied in gazing at the houses, the temples, and the crowd in the streets, while he himself was busy listening to the remarks of the people.
It was curious to him, to hear everyone around freely discussing them, assured that no word they said was understood. Had he been vain, he would have felt gratified at the favorable comments passed on his personal appearance by many of the women and girls; but he put them down, entirely40, to the fact that he differed more from them than did the Spaniards, and it was simply the color of his hair, and the fairness of his skin, that seemed wonderful to the Mexicans.
"Ah!" he heard one woman say to another, "I marked that tall soldier when they came into the town, this morning. They are all grand men, and look wonderfully strong and brave with their arms and armor. I know that such fighters as these were never heard of before; for have they not, few as they are, beaten the Tlascalans? Who, as we all know, are good fighters, though they are little better than savages41. But as to their faces, they were not what I expected to see. They are lighter42 than ours, but they are not white.
"But I noted43 this soldier. He is just like what I expected--just like what they said the white man, who has been at Mexico for some time, is like."
"I am sorry for them," the girl said. "They say that Montezuma will offer them all up at the temples, when he gets them to Mexico."
"Perhaps they will never get there," a man standing next to her said. "At least, unless they enter the town as captives.
"Perhaps some of them will stay here. Why should not our god have his share of victims, as well as the war god of Mexico?"
The speaker was a priest, who was scowling44 angrily at the three Spaniards; who, after stopping to look at the carving45 over the gate of a temple, were now moving on again.
But although Roger heard occasional remarks that showed it was the opinion of the inhabitants that Montezuma had only allowed these strangers to enter his country for the purpose of destroying them, there was no general feeling of hostility to them--the satisfaction at the defeat they had inflicted46 upon Tlascala far outweighing47 any other feeling.
After wandering about for some hours, the party returned to their quarters, where Roger gave, through Malinche, to Cortez an account of what he had noticed.
"There is nothing new in that," Cortez said. "We know that Montezuma has done all in his power to prevent us from coming, and that now he knows he has wasted his treasures in vain, he must feel no goodwill48 towards us. However, we shall be prepared for him.
"But continue your search. There may be a change come. Montezuma may, even now, be preparing to crush us. If so, as soon as the people here know it, you will see a change in their demeanor49. The priests are all powerful here, and the devils whom they worship are sure to set them on to do us mischief50, if they can. Therefore, relax not your watchfulness51. Marina and yourself are the only two among us who understand their language, and it is upon you both that we have to depend, to shield us from treachery. Against an open assault I have no fear, but in a crowded town like this, an attack at night might be fatal."
Cortez had, indeed, taken the precaution upon his arrival of stating to the nobles that, as it would be inconvenient52 for Marina to reside in buildings occupied solely53 by men, he should be glad if one of their wives would receive her as a guest; and she was accordingly installed, at once, in the house of one of the principal nobles.
Some days passed, as Cortez was waiting for the arrival of a fresh embassy from Montezuma. During that time Roger was unable to detect any change in the attitude of the population. The Spaniards were greeted courteously54 when they went abroad, and their leaders were entertained at fetes and banquets by the nobles.
Roger and his two comrades were well satisfied with each other. Juan was a taciturn soldier, but he was amused at the efforts of Pedro and Roger to converse55.
"I am glad, Pedro," he said, on the third day of their making acquaintance with Roger, "that this young fellow has joined. If I had had my will, I should have said nay56 when Cortez proposed it; but it is good for you, lad. It is well enough for an old soldier like me to toil57 along all day without speaking, under a burning sun; and to say but little, even over his cup of wine, at the end of the march. But it is not good for a lad like you. You were getting old before your time. I could sing a song, and dance a measure with the best of them, when I was at your age; and you see what has come of my campaigning for, like yourself, I took to an old soldier for a comrade. This young fellow seems to have a cheerful spirit, and when he can talk our language well will be a gay companion, and will do you good.
"Yes, and do me good, too, Pedro. You are too apt to get into my moods, and be silent when I am silent; and thus I make you dull, while you do not make me bright. Only I want to see this young fellow at work, before I quite give him my heart. I believe that he will bear himself bravely. It were a shame, indeed, if there should be faint heart in a body of such thews and muscle. Truly he is a stately figure, and has the air of the great noble rather than a rough soldier; but that, I take it, comes from his being brought up among these Mexicans; who, though in most respects ignorant, carry themselves with much dignity, and with a stately and gentlemanly manner, such as one sees, in Europe, chiefly in men of good blood."
On the evening of the fourth day, the embassy arrived from Montezuma. The emperor had apparently58 again changed his mind, for he expressed his regret at their determination to visit the capital, and begged them to relinquish59 the idea. Upon leaving Cortez, the ambassadors had an interview with several of the chief nobles of Cholula. They left for the capital again in the night.
The next morning a change was visible in the behavior of the people. They no longer visited the Spanish quarters, but held aloof60 from them. The nobles, upon being invited to come to see Cortez, sent in excuses on the ground of illness, or that they were about to undertake a journey, or other pretexts61, and the supply of provisions sent in fell off greatly.
Roger and his comrades also marked a great difference in the manner of the people in the streets. The buzz of talking and laughing was hushed, as they approached. People turned away, as if desirous of avoiding the sight of them. The priests regarded them with an insolent62 air. On one or two occasions they were roughly jostled, and on arriving at the end of a street the people gathered round, and by words and gesture told them to go no farther.
Cortez had particularly enjoined in Roger and his companions against embroiling63 themselves, in any way, with the people; and they therefore suffered themselves to be turned back, without exhibiting any air of concern; but Juan muttered many oaths beneath his mustache, and Roger and Pedro had difficulty in restraining their anger.
Cortez looked very grave upon hearing Roger's report, on their return.
"I fear that treachery is intended," he said, "and if I did but know it, I would be beforehand with them. You had best not go abroad again, for it may be their intention to provoke a quarrel, by an affray in the streets. I will send some of the Cempoallans who are with us out. They will be less observed, and may find out what is going on."
"I think," Marina said, "that if we go up to the flat roof, we may see something of what is going on. This house is more lofty than most."
Cortez, with Roger and the girl, ascended64 to the roof. From it they commanded a considerable prospect65. On some of the roofs they could make out bodies of men at work, but these were too far off to see what they were doing.
In the evening the Cempoallans returned, and said that they had come upon barricades66 erected67 across several of the streets, and that on many of the roofs great stones and beams of timber were piled; while they had discovered holes dug in the streets, and covered with branches, and apparently intended to entrap68 cavalry69.
A portion of the troops were ordered to remain under arms all night, in case of attack, but the city remained quiet. In the course of the following day some Tlascalans came in from their camp, and informed Cortez they had heard that a great sacrifice of children had been offered up, in one of the temples, a custom which prevailed whenever an enterprise of a serious nature was about to be undertaken. They said, too, that large numbers of the citizens, with their wives and children, were leaving the town by the various gates. The situation had now become very grave, and Cortez and his officers were at a loss to know what had best be done, as they had still no positive proof that treachery was intended.
This proof was, however, furnished by Marina next day. The wife of the cazique had taken a great fancy to her, and urged her to take up her abode70 altogether at her house, hinting that it would be safer for her to do so. Marina at once pretended that she should be glad to leave the white men, who held her in captivity71 in order that they might use her as an interpreter. The Cholulan then gave her a full account of the conspiracy72.
It was, she said, the work of the emperor, who had sent rich presents by the ambassadors to the great nobles, and had urged upon them the necessity of making an end of the white intruders. Twenty thousand troops had been marched down to within a short distance of the city, and these were to enter and take part in the assault on the Spaniards.
The attack was to be made as these left the city. The streets were to be barricaded73, and impediments to prevent the action of the cavalry placed in the way; and the Spaniards were to be overwhelmed with the missiles from the roofs, while the troops would pour out from the houses to the attack. Some of the Spaniards were to be sacrificed at the altars at Cholula, the rest to be marched in chains to the capital, and there put to death.
This scheme was unfolded to Marina in her apartment in the Spanish quarters, and she appeared to assent74 to the proposal that she should, that night, leave the Spaniards altogether. Making an excuse to leave the room for a few minutes, Marina hastened to Cortez and informed him of what she had heard. The cazique's wife was at once seized, and being in terror of her life, she repeated the statements she had made to Marina.
The news was alarming, indeed. The position of the Spaniards in the midst of a hostile city seemed well-nigh hopeless--the barricades and pitfalls75 would paralyze the action of the cavalry and artillery76, every house would be a fortress77, and under such difficulties even the bravery of the handful of Spaniards would avail but little against the overwhelming force by which they would be attacked.
Before deciding as to the best course to be adopted, Cortez determined78 to obtain further confirmation79 of the story of the cazique's wife. He accordingly sent an invitation to two priests, who resided in the temple close to his quarters, to visit him. When they came he received them most courteously, but informed them that, by the powers he possessed80, he was perfectly81 aware that treachery was intended. He bestowed82 upon them some very valuable presents, from the gifts he had received from Montezuma, and promised that none should be aware that he had received any information from them. The rich bribes83 had their effect, and the priests confirmed the report Marina had heard.
They said that the emperor had, since their arrival, been in a state of vacillation84, constantly consulting the oracles85, and unable to make up his mind whether to fight them, or to receive them with honor. He had, when he heard that they were going to Cholula, first issued orders that they should be well received; but since then the oracles had again been consulted, and had declared that Cholula would be the grave of the white men, for that the gods would assuredly lend their aid in destroying the enemies who had dared to violate the sanctity of the holy city. He had, therefore, ordered the attack to take place in the manner described; and so certain were the Aztecs of success that the manacles to secure the prisoners had already been sent to the city.
Cortez dismissed the priests, telling them that he intended to leave the city the following morning, and requested that they would induce the principal nobles engaged in the plot to pay him a visit, at once. As soon as the priests had left, he summoned his principal officers, and disclosed to them the plot he had discovered. There was much difference of opinion between them. Some were in favor of returning at once to the friendly city of Tlascala. Others voted for still advancing, but by the northerly route their allies had recommended. But the majority agreed, with their general, that their only chance of safety was in taking a bold course; for that retreat would raise the whole country against them, and ensure their destruction.
When the nobles arrived, Cortez rebuked86 them mildly for their altered conduct and for the failure of supplies; and said that the Spaniards would no longer be a burden upon the city, but would march out on the following morning; and requested that they would furnish a body of two thousand men, to transport his artillery and baggage. As this suited admirably the designs of the natives, they at once agreed to furnish the required force.
Upon their leaving, Cortez had an interview with Montezuma's ambassadors, who had accompanied him from the coast, and told them that he was aware of the treacherous plot to destroy him and his army, and that he was grieved to find that this vile87 act of treachery was instigated88 by Montezuma. The ambassadors, astounded89 at what appeared to them the supernatural knowledge of Cortez, and terrified at the position in which they found themselves, made earnest protestations of their entire ignorance of the scheme; and declared that they were convinced that the emperor was wholly innocent of it, and that it was entirely the act of the Cholulans. Cortez pretended to believe them, as he was desirous, as long as possible, of keeping up a semblance90 of friendship with Montezuma; and declared that he was willing to believe that, after the friendly messages and gifts the emperor had sent, he could not be guilty of such baseness and treachery. His anger therefore would be directed chiefly against the Cholulans, who were guilty not only of foul91 treachery to himself, but of dishonoring the emperor's name by their conduct.
As soon, however, as the ambassadors had retired92, a strong guard was placed over them, to prevent them from communicating with the citizens. Every precaution was taken, in case the plans of the enemy should be altered, and an attack made during the night. The guns were placed so as to command the approaches. The horses were kept saddled, and ready for action. Strong guards were placed, and the troops lay down in their armor. Orders were dispatched, to the Tlascalans, to hold themselves ready to march into the city in the morning, and join the Spaniards.
As soon as daylight broke, the troops were under arms. A portion of those, with the guns, were posted outside the building, so as to sweep the streets. A strong body were told off to guard the three gates of entrance. The rest were drawn93 up in the great court, which was surrounded partly by buildings, partly by high walls.
Soon after the arrangements were completed the caziques arrived, having with them a body of men even larger than they had agreed to bring. As soon as they entered, Cortez called them to him, and informed him that he was acquainted with all the particulars of the conspiracy. He had come to that city upon the invitation of the emperor, had given them no cause of complaint, and had left his allies outside the walls. Under the guise94 of kindness and hospitality, they had prepared a snare95 to cut off and destroy them.
The Cholulans were astounded. It seemed to them useless to deny anything to men who could thus read their thoughts, and they confessed that the accusation96 was true.
Cortez raised his hand. A gun gave the signal, a terrible volley was poured into the Cholulans, and the Spaniards then fell upon them with pikes and swords. The unfortunate natives, thus taken by surprise, and penned up like sheep in the enclosure, scarcely offered any resistance; some tried to escape through the gateways97, but were repulsed98 by the troops stationed there. Others strove, but in vain, to scale the walls, and the only survivors99 of the massacre100 owed their lives to hiding under the great piles of dead.
In the meantime, the Mexicans without, being made aware by the heavy firing of the failure of their plan of surprise, rushed from the buildings in which they had been stationed, and poured up to the assault. They were swept down by the discharges of the guns, but the places of the slain101 were rapidly filled, and with reckless bravery they pressed up to the Spaniards; although Cortez, at the head of his cavalry, charged them again and again, so as to give the gunners time to reload.
The struggle was still proceeding102 when the Tlascalans entered the gates of the city and, coming up at a run to the scene of conflict, fell upon the rear of the Mexicans. These could no longer resist their terrible opponents and, breaking their ranks, took refuge in the houses, or fled to the temples.
One large body, headed by the priests, made a stand upon the great central teocalli. There was a tradition among them that, if its stones were removed, the god would pour out an inundation103 of water to overwhelm his enemies. The Cholulans tore down some of the stones, and when the expected miracle did not take place, were seized with despair. Many shut themselves up in the wooden towers on the platform of the summit, and poured down missiles on their foes as they climbed the great staircase; but the darts104 and arrows fell harmless upon the armor of the Spaniards, and when these gained the platform, they snatched up the blazing arrows shot at them, and fired the turrets105. The Cholulans fought to the last, and either threw themselves over the parapet, or perished in the flames.
In the meantime, many of the wooden houses in the town had caught fire, and the flames spread rapidly. The Spanish cavalry charging through the street trampled106 the Mexicans under foot, while the Tlascalan allies gratified their long enmity against the Cholulans by slaying107 them without mercy.
When all resistance had ceased, the victors burst into the houses and temples, and plundered108 them of their valuables. The sack continued for some hours, and then Cortez, at the entreaties109 of some Cholulan caziques who had been spared at the massacre, and of the Mexican ambassadors, consented to call off his troops; and two of the nobles were allowed to go into the town, and to assure the surviving inhabitants that no further harm would be done to them, if they would return to their homes.
The Spaniards and Tlascalans were drawn up under their respective leaders. The division of the booty offered no difficulties. The mountaineers attached no value to gold or jewels, and were well content with wearing apparel and provisions; while to the share of the Spaniards fell the valuables taken. Cortez had given strict orders that no violence should be offered to the women or children, and his orders had been respected; but many of these and numbers of men had been made prisoners by the Tlascalans, to carry away into slavery.
Cortez, however, now persuaded them to liberate110 their captives; and so great was his influence that they acceded111 to his request. The dead bodies were now collected, and carried outside the city by the inhabitants.
Cortez, in his letter to the Emperor Charles, says that three thousand were slain; but most contemporary writers put down the number of victims at six thousand, and some at even a higher figure. Order was promptly112 restored. The inhabitants who had left the town speedily returned, and the people of the neighborhood flocked in with supplies. The markets were re-opened, and only the lines of blackened ruins told of the recent strife113.
The massacre was a terrible one, and is a stain upon the memory of Cortez; who otherwise throughout the campaign acted mercifully, strictly114 prohibiting any plundering115 or ill treatment of the natives, and punishing all breaches116 of his orders with great severity. The best excuse that can be offered is, that in desperate positions desperate measures must be taken; that the plot, if successful, would have resulted in the extermination117 of the Spaniards; and that the terrible lesson taught was necessary, to ensure the safety of the expedition. Moreover, a considerable portion of those who fell, fell in fair fight; and after the action was over, the inhabitants were well treated. It must, too, be taken into consideration that the Spaniards were crusaders as well as discoverers; and that it was their doctrine118 that all heretics must be treated as enemies of God, and destroyed accordingly.
Such was not the doctrine of their Church, for as the great historian Bede writes of King Ethelbert:
"He had learned, from the teachers and authors of his salvation119, that men are to be drawn, not dragged, to heaven."
Roger, with his two companions, had formed part of the force stationed outside the gates to resist the attack of the citizens; and he had taken his share in the fierce fighting that went on there. He was not free from the prejudices of his times, and the horrible sacrifices of the temples, and the narrow escape he himself had had in being offered up as a victim, had inspired him with a deep hatred120 of the religion of the people; although against them, personally, he had no feeling of hostility. Even in the height of the conflict he felt pity for the men who, in their cotton armor, rushed so fearlessly to the attack of the iron-clad Spaniards, armed with their terrible weapons. But at the same time, he knew that if they were successful, the most horrible fate awaited him and his companions; and the treacherous plot, of which they had so nearly been the victims, excited the same feelings in his mind as in that of the Spaniards.
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1
hostility
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| n.敌对，敌意；抵制［pl.］交战，战争 | |
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valor
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| n.勇气，英勇 | |
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monarchy
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| n.君主，最高统治者；君主政体，君主国 | |
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slaughter
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| n.屠杀，屠宰；vt.屠杀，宰杀 | |
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mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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6
hardiest
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| 能吃苦耐劳的，坚强的( hardy的最高级 )； （植物等）耐寒的 | |
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7
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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8
infinitely
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| adv.无限地，无穷地 | |
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plunder
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| vt.劫掠财物，掠夺；n.劫掠物，赃物；劫掠 | |
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foes
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| 敌人，仇敌( foe的名词复数 ) | |
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broils
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| v.（用火）烤（焙、炙等）( broil的第三人称单数 )；使卷入争吵；使混乱；被烤（或炙） | |
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12
inevitable
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| adj.不可避免的，必然发生的 | |
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envoys
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| 使节( envoy的名词复数 )； 公使； 谈判代表； 使节身份 | |
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treacherous
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| adj.不可靠的，有暗藏的危险的；adj.背叛的，背信弃义的 | |
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bigoted
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| adj.固执己见的，心胸狭窄的 | |
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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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17
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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18
civilized
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| a.有教养的，文雅的 | |
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19
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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20
acting
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| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
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21
enjoined
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| v.命令( enjoin的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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22
ramble
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| v.漫步，漫谈，漫游；n.漫步，闲谈，蔓延 | |
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23
heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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24
conspiracies
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| n.阴谋，密谋( conspiracy的名词复数 ) | |
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25
courteous
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| adj.彬彬有礼的，客气的 | |
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26
hearty
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| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
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27
discretion
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| n.谨慎；随意处理 | |
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28
courageous
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| adj.勇敢的，有胆量的 | |
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29
gambling
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| n.赌博；投机 | |
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30
dicing
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| n.掷骰子，（皮革上的）菱形装饰v.将…切成小方块，切成丁（ dice的现在分词 ） | |
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31
treacherously
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| 背信弃义地； 背叛地； 靠不住地； 危险地 | |
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32
straightforward
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| adj.正直的，坦率的；易懂的，简单的 | |
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33
wavy
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| adj.有波浪的，多浪的，波浪状的，波动的，不稳定的 | |
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34
recollected
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| adj.冷静的；镇定的；被回忆起的；沉思默想的v.记起，想起( recollect的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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35
tussle
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| n.&v.扭打，搏斗，争辩 | |
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36
attentively
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| adv.聚精会神地；周到地；谛；凝神 | |
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37
purport
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| n.意义，要旨，大要；v.意味著，做为...要旨，要领是... | |
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38
expressive
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| adj.表现的，表达…的，富于表情的 | |
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39
curiously
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| adv.有求知欲地；好问地；奇特地 | |
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40
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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41
savages
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| 未开化的人，野蛮人( savage的名词复数 ) | |
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42
lighter
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| n.打火机，点火器；驳船；v.用驳船运送；light的比较级 | |
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43
noted
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| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
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44
scowling
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| 怒视，生气地皱眉( scowl的现在分词 ) | |
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45
carving
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| n.雕刻品，雕花 | |
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46
inflicted
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| 把…强加给，使承受，遭受( inflict的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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47
outweighing
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| v.在重量上超过( outweigh的现在分词 )；在重要性或价值方面超过 | |
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48
goodwill
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| n.善意，亲善，信誉，声誉 | |
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49
demeanor
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| n.行为；风度 | |
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50
mischief
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| n.损害，伤害，危害；恶作剧，捣蛋，胡闹 | |
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51
watchfulness
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| 警惕，留心； 警觉（性） | |
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52
inconvenient
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| adj.不方便的，令人感到麻烦的 | |
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53
solely
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| adv.仅仅，唯一地 | |
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54
courteously
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| adv.有礼貌地，亲切地 | |
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55
converse
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| vi.谈话，谈天，闲聊；adv.相反的，相反 | |
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56
nay
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| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
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57
toil
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| vi.辛劳工作，艰难地行动；n.苦工，难事 | |
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58
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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59
relinquish
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| v.放弃，撤回，让与，放手 | |
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60
aloof
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| adj.远离的；冷淡的，漠不关心的 | |
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61
pretexts
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| n.借口，托辞( pretext的名词复数 ) | |
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62
insolent
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| adj.傲慢的，无理的 | |
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63
embroiling
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| v.使（自己或他人）卷入纠纷( embroil的现在分词 ) | |
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64
ascended
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| v.上升，攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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65
prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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66
barricades
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| 路障，障碍物( barricade的名词复数 ) | |
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67
ERECTED
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| adj. 直立的，竖立的，笔直的 vt. 使 ... 直立，建立 | |
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68
entrap
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| v.以网或陷阱捕捉，使陷入圈套 | |
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69
cavalry
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| n.骑兵；轻装甲部队 | |
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70
abode
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| n.住处，住所 | |
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71
captivity
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| n.囚禁；被俘；束缚 | |
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72
conspiracy
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| n.阴谋，密谋，共谋 | |
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73
barricaded
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| 设路障于，以障碍物阻塞( barricade的过去式和过去分词 )； 设路障[防御工事]保卫或固守 | |
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74
assent
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| v.批准，认可；n.批准，认可 | |
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75
pitfalls
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| （捕猎野兽用的）陷阱( pitfall的名词复数 )； 意想不到的困难，易犯的错误 | |
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76
artillery
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| n.(军)火炮，大炮；炮兵(部队) | |
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77
fortress
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| n.堡垒，防御工事 | |
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78
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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79
confirmation
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| n.证实，确认，批准 | |
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80
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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81
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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82
bestowed
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| 赠给，授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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83
bribes
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| n.贿赂( bribe的名词复数 )；向（某人）行贿，贿赂v.贿赂( bribe的第三人称单数 )；向（某人）行贿，贿赂 | |
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84
vacillation
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| n.动摇；忧柔寡断 | |
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85
oracles
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| 神示所( oracle的名词复数 )； 神谕； 圣贤； 哲人 | |
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86
rebuked
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| 责难或指责( rebuke的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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87
vile
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| adj.卑鄙的，可耻的，邪恶的；坏透的 | |
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88
instigated
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| v.使（某事物）开始或发生，鼓动( instigate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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89
astounded
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| v.使震惊(astound的过去式和过去分词)；愕然；愕；惊讶 | |
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90
semblance
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| n.外貌，外表 | |
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91
foul
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| adj.污秽的；邪恶的；v.弄脏；妨害；犯规；n.犯规 | |
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92
retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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93
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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94
guise
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| n.外表，伪装的姿态 | |
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95
snare
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| n.陷阱，诱惑，圈套；（去除息肉或者肿瘤的）勒除器；响弦，小军鼓；vt.以陷阱捕获，诱惑 | |
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96
accusation
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| n.控告，指责，谴责 | |
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97
gateways
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| n.网关( gateway的名词复数 )；门径；方法；大门口 | |
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98
repulsed
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| v.击退( repulse的过去式和过去分词 )；驳斥；拒绝 | |
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99
survivors
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| 幸存者，残存者，生还者( survivor的名词复数 ) | |
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100
massacre
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| n.残杀，大屠杀；v.残杀，集体屠杀 | |
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101
slain
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| 杀死，宰杀，杀戮( slay的过去分词 )； (slay的过去分词) | |
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102
proceeding
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| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
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103
inundation
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| n.the act or fact of overflowing | |
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104
darts
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| n.掷飞镖游戏；飞镖( dart的名词复数 )；急驰，飞奔v.投掷，投射( dart的第三人称单数 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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105
turrets
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| （六角）转台( turret的名词复数 )； （战舰和坦克等上的）转动炮塔； （摄影机等上的）镜头转台； （旧时攻城用的）塔车 | |
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106
trampled
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| 踩( trample的过去式和过去分词 )； 践踏； 无视； 侵犯 | |
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107
slaying
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| 杀戮。 | |
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108
plundered
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| 掠夺，抢劫( plunder的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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109
entreaties
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| n.恳求，乞求( entreaty的名词复数 ) | |
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110
liberate
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| v.解放，使获得自由，释出，放出；vt.解放，使获自由 | |
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111
acceded
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| v.（正式）加入( accede的过去式和过去分词 )；答应；（通过财产的添附而）增加；开始任职 | |
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112
promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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113
strife
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| n.争吵，冲突，倾轧，竞争 | |
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114
strictly
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| adv.严厉地，严格地；严密地 | |
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115
plundering
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| 掠夺，抢劫( plunder的现在分词 ) | |
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116
breaches
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| 破坏( breach的名词复数 )； 破裂； 缺口； 违背 | |
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117
extermination
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| n.消灭，根绝 | |
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118
doctrine
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| n.教义；主义；学说 | |
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119
salvation
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| n.（尤指基督）救世，超度，拯救，解困 | |
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120
hatred
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| n.憎恶，憎恨，仇恨 | |
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