The street which the Spaniards entered, after leaving the causeway, intersected the city from north to south. It was broad and perfectly1 straight and, from the roofs of the houses which lined it, a storm of missiles was poured on the Spaniards, as they advanced. Cortez set the allies to work to level the houses, as fast as the Spaniards won their way along the street. This they did, until they reached the first canal. The bridge here had been broken down, and after the Indians had crossed, the temporary planks2 were pulled after them, and they joined their countrymen behind a solid rampart of stone, erected3 on the other side of the canal.
It was not until after two hours' hard fighting, and the use of artillery4, that this obstacle was cleared away; and the Spaniards, wading5 across the canal, pressed forward without further resistance, until they reached the great square, on one side of which stood the palace they had so long occupied. The Aztecs--disheartened at the manner in which all the defenses on which they relied had been captured by the Spaniards, and by their presence in the heart of the city--for some time desisted from their efforts; but they were roused to fury, as a body of Spaniards rushed up the winding7 terraces to the summit of the great temple, and hurled8 the priests from its summit.
Then, with a yell of fury, they threw themselves upon their enemies. Their headlong rush swept the Spaniards back into the square, when they were attacked by bodies of natives, pouring down every street. For once the Spaniards lost their presence of mind, fell into disorder9, and were swept before the torrent10, down the street which they had just traversed.
In vain Cortez attempted to stem the stream. The panic spread to the allies, and the whole mass were flying before the natives; when a body of cavalry11 came up and plunged12 into the crowd. The natives were shaken by the appearance of the enemies they feared so much; and Cortez, taking advantage of the confusion, rallied his followers13, and again drove the Aztecs back into the square.
Night was now at hand and, dragging off the cannon15 which had been abandoned in their flight, the force marched off in good order, though hotly pressed by the natives, and retired16 to Xoloc. Alvarado and Sandoval also succeeded in crossing their respective causeways, but neither of them could penetrate17 into the city.
The attack had failed, but it had strengthened the position of the Spaniards; for seeing the speedy manner in which they had overcome all the defenses erected by the Mexicans, many of the cities which had hitherto stood aloof18 now sent in their submission19, and supplied levies20 to assist them in their work; while Ixtlilxochitl, who had now become Lord of Tezcuco, and was a strong adherent21 of the Spaniards, brought up a force of fifty thousand Tezcucans, who were divided among the three armies.
Another simultaneous attack was now made, the advance along the causeway being, as before, covered by the ships; but the enemy fought stoutly22, and some hours elapsed before the Spaniards again entered the city. The advance was now more easy than on the previous occasion, owing to the destruction of the buildings bordering the streets. The natives, however, still fought with the greatest obstinacy23; but the great square was at last reached.
Thinking to discourage the natives, by the destruction of some of the principal edifices24, Cortez ordered the palace which had served as the former barracks to be set on fire, as also the house of birds adjoining Montezuma's palace, and those were soon a mass of flames. The Aztecs, however, were infuriated rather than intimidated25; and the fight raged with greater fury than ever. Having accomplished26 his object, Cortez again gave the order to fall back and, covered by the cavalry, retired down the street; so desperately27 assailed28, by the natives, that but few men reached the fort unwounded.
Day after day the same tactics were repeated, the Mexicans every night repairing the breaches29 cleared out every day by the Spanish allies. Cortez found it impossible to guard the causeway and prevent this, the soldiers being already overcome by the fatigue31 of their daily encounters. Alvarado's division, however, held at night the ground they won in the daytime; but the troops suffered dreadfully from the incessant32 toil33, and from the rain, which poured down in torrents34. The soldiers of Cortez fared little better, for the buildings in the fort of Xoloc afforded shelter but to few; and the rest had to sleep on the causeway in its rear, exposed to all the tempestuous35 weather.
Frequently, too, they were called up to battle; for the Aztec emperor, contrary to the usual practice of his countrymen, frequently attacked by night; often making simultaneous attacks on the three divisions on the causeways, while at the same moment troops from the neighboring towns attacked their camps in the rear. He did not content himself with open attacks, but resorted to stratagem36. On one occasion he had a large number of canoes in ambuscade, among some tall reeds bordering the lake. Several large boats then rowed near the Spanish vessels37. Believing that they were filled with provisions intended for the city, two of the smaller vessels pursued them. The Aztec boats made for the reeds, the Spaniards followed, and presently struck upon submerged timbers the Indians had driven in. They were instantly attacked by the whole fleet of canoes, most of the men were wounded, and several, including the two captains, slain38, and one of the Spanish craft captured.
It was now three months since the siege had begun, and the attitude of the Mexicans was as bold and defiant39 as ever. Several attempts which Cortez had made to open negotiations40 with the young emperor had been received with scorn. It was certain that, sooner or later, famine would do its work; for the approaches to the city were all in the hands of the Spaniards, and as the towns of the lake were either friendly or overawed by the great army of their allies, even the canoes, which at first made their way in at night with provisions, had ceased to steal across in the darkness. The great native levies were of little use to the Spaniards in the absolute fighting, but they did good service by overawing the towns, making expeditions against the tribes that had not yet consented to throw in their lot with the invaders41, and by sweeping42 in provisions from a wide extent of country.
But to wait until famine did its work little suited the spirit of the Spaniards. The process would assuredly be a long one, for men who fought so stoutly would resist starvation with equal tenacity43; besides, the duration of the siege was already beginning to excite discontent among the allies, whose wars were generally of very short duration. The Spaniards, too, were suffering from severe illness brought on by fatigue, exposure, and hardship.
It was now determined44 to make a grand effort to obtain possession of the great market of Tlatelolco, which lay on the northwestern part of the city. Its possession would enable the force of Cortez to join hands with those of Alvarado and Sandoval; and the spacious45 market itself, with its halls and porticoes46, would furnish accommodation for the army; and enable them to attack the city at close quarters, instead of having to fight their way, every day, along the causeway.
Sandoval was to join Alvarado, sending seventy picked troops to support Cortez. Advancing along the causeway, and supported not only by the ships, but by a countless47 host of canoes filled with the allies of the lake cities, who penetrated48 the canals, and caused confusion in the rear of the Aztecs, the division of Cortez cleared the suburbs of their opponents, and then advanced towards the square of Tlatelolco by three great streets.
Alderete commanded the force that advanced by the main central avenue. This was a raised causeway, with canals running on either side of the road. Tapia and a brother of Alvarado commanded one of the other columns, while Cortez led the third. A small body of cavalry, with three guns, remained in reserve in the great street leading to the causeway; and here the column were to rally, in case of disaster.
The three columns advanced simultaneously49. The Spanish pressed the Aztecs back before them. Their allies filled up the canals as they took them, one by one. The Tlascalans stormed the houses, and attacked the enemy on their roofs; while the canoes engaged those of the Aztecs, and so prevented them from interfering50 with the men occupied in filling up the breaches. The parallel streets were near enough to each other for the Spaniards to hear the shouts of their companions in the other columns, and to know that all were gaining ground steadily51.
The enemy in the streets fought with less obstinacy than usual; and Cortez, with his usual keen-sightedness, at once apprehended52 that the feebleness of the resistance indicated some device, and that the Aztecs were allowing them to advance, only to lead them into a trap.
He had received a message from Alderete saying that he was getting on fast, and that he was but a short distance from the great square. Fearing that this officer, eager to be the first to gain the marketplace, was not taking proper precautions to secure his retreat; Cortez, with a small body of troops, retraced53 his steps, and turned up the street by which Alderete's column had advanced. He had gone but a short distance, when he saw that his stringent54 orders had been neglected; for he came upon an opening some thirty feet wide, full of water at least twelve feet deep. A slight attempt, only, had been made to stop the gap; and stones and timber, lying by the side, showed that it had been abandoned as soon as commenced.
The general saw, too, that the road had been narrowed as it approached this point, and that the work had evidently been recently done. Much alarmed at the consequence of this neglect, he at once set his men to fill up the breach30; but they had scarcely begun the operation when a terrific yell arose, drowning the mingled55 clamor of the distant conflict.
Alderete had, as Cortez supposed, pressed on the retreating Aztecs with too great eagerness. He had carried the barricades56 which defended the breach, and had given orders that the chasm57 should be filled up. But in their eagerness to be first in the square, the Spaniards had pressed on, none caring to stop to see that the allies carried out the order. So, taking position after position, they pressed on until they were close to the square.
Suddenly the horn of Guatimozin, the emperor, sent forth58 a piercing note from the summit of a temple. As if by magic, the retreating Aztecs turned and fell on their pursuers; while swarms59 of warriors60 from the adjoining streets, lanes, and corners attacked the advancing column.
Taken completely by surprise, bewildered by the suddenness and fury of the onslaught, appalled61 by the terrific war yells, smitten62 down by the rain of missiles from the Aztecs, the Spaniards fell into confusion, and were swept down the street like foam63 on the crest64 of a wave. In vain their leaders attempted to rally them. Their voices were drowned in the din6, and their followers, panic stricken, now thought only of preserving their lives.
On they came, until they reached the edge of the cut. Here some plunged in, others were pushed in by the pressure from behind. Those who could swim were pulled down by their struggling comrades. Some got across and tried to climb the slippery side of the dike65, but fell back and were seized by the Aztecs; whose canoes now dashed up, and added to the confusion by hurling66 a storm of missiles into the crowd.
Cortez, with his little party, kept his station on the other side of the breach. They were already surrounded by Aztecs, who had landed on the causeway behind them; but held their ground desperately, and endeavored, as far as possible, to assist their comrades to climb out of the water. Cortez was speedily recognized, and storms of missiles were poured upon him, but these glanced harmlessly from his helmet and armor. Six of the Aztecs threw themselves upon him together, and made a desperate effort to drag him into their boat. In the struggle he received a severe wound in the leg, and fell.
Olid, one of his followers, sprang to his rescue, severed67 the arm of one of the natives, and ran another through the body; and being joined by a comrade named Lerma, and by a Tlascalan chief, stood over the body of Cortez and drove off his foes68, dispatching three more of his assailants; but Olid fell, mortally wounded, by the side of his leader.
Quinones, the captain of the guard, with several of his men now fought his way up, lifted Cortez from the water, and laid him on the road. One of his pages brought up his horse, but fell, wounded in the throat by a javelin69. Guzman, the chamberlain, then seized the bridle71, and held it while Cortez was helped into the saddle; but was himself seized by the Aztecs, and carried off in a canoe.
Cortez, wounded as he was, would still have fought on; but Quinones, taking his horse by the bridle, turned it to the rear, exclaiming that his leader's life was "too important to the army to be thrown away there!"
The mass of fugitives72 poured along the causeway. The road was soft, and was so cut up that it was knee deep in mud; and in some places the water of the canals beside it met across it. Those on the flanks were often forced, by the pressure, down the slippery sides; and were instantly captured and carried off by the canoes of the enemy. Cortez's standard bearer was among those who fell in the canal, but he succeeded in recovering his footing, and saved the standard.
At last the fugitives reached the spot where the cannon and cavalry had been placed in reserve. Here Cortez rallied them, and charged the Aztecs with the little body of horse, while the artillery opened a hot fire upon them. He then sent orders to the other two columns to fall back and, when these had rejoined him, the division retired, Cortez covering the movement with the cavalry.
As soon as they were freed from the city, Tapia was sent round on horseback to acquaint the other commanders of the failure. They had advanced at the same time as Cortez, and had on their side nearly gained the square; when they, too, were startled by the blast of Guatimozin's horn, and by the terrible yell that followed it. Then they heard the sound of battle, which had before been clearly audible, roll away in the distance; and knew that the division of Cortez had been driven back.
In a short time the attack upon themselves increased in fury, as the troops who had been engaged with Cortez returned and joined in the attack upon them. Two or three bloody73 heads were thrown among them, with shouts of "Malinzin!"
Although Sandoval and Alvarado did not credit the death of their commander, they felt that it was useless to persevere74, and indeed were unable to withstand the furious assaults of the Aztecs. With great difficulty they drew off their troops to the entrenchment75 on the causeway, and here the guns of the ships, sweeping the road, drove back their assailants. The greatest anxiety prevailed as to the fate of Cortez, until Tapia arrived, bleeding from several wounds, which he had received from parties of men whom Guatimozin had stationed to interrupt the communication between the two camps.
Sandoval at once rode round. He, too, was attacked on the road; but his armor, and that of his horse protected him from the missiles showered upon them. On arriving at the camp, he found the troops much dispirited. Numbers had been killed and wounded, and no less than sixty-two Spaniards, with a multitude of allies, had fallen into the hands of the enemy. Indeed, the column around Alderete had been almost entirely76 destroyed, and two guns and seven horses had been lost.
Cortez explained to his follower14 the cause of the disaster, and told Sandoval that, as he should be unable to take the field for a few days, he must take his place, and watch over the safety of the camps.
Roger Hawkshaw had borne his full share in the desperate conflicts that had taken place. In the previous combats he had fought only to preserve his own life, but now he was eager for the fray77. His friend Cuitcatl and his promised bride were prisoners in Mexico, and he fought now to deliver them. It was nearly a year from the time when he had first retreated along the fatal causeway; and in that time his frame had broadened out, and his strength increased; and so terrible were the blows he dealt that Cortez, himself, had several times spoken to him in terms of approval of his valor79, and had appointed him to be one of his own bodyguard80. He had stood beside him at the edge of the breach, and had done good service there.
"You fight like a paladin," Cortez said, as Roger cut down three natives who had rushed upon him; "but see, Sancho, put up your sword for a minute, and take up that pike. If you hand the end to those poor fellows in the water, your strength will be sufficient to haul them up."
Roger at once set to, at the work of saving life, and dragged more than a score of men who would otherwise have been drowned. He heard the cry which was raised, when Cortez was attacked; and throwing down his pike and drawing his sword, turned to rush to his assistance; but at this moment two Mexicans threw themselves upon him, his foot slipped in the mud, and in another moment he and his two assailants were rolling down the deep bank into the water.
With a mighty81 effort, he freed himself from their grasp and, gaining the bank, tried to climb up; but a canoe dashed up alongside, a dozen Mexicans threw themselves upon him, and with a triumphant82 shout drew him into the boat, which at once paddled off from the scene of conflict.
Roger, as he lay at the bottom of the canoe, felt that all hope was over. He knew that the Aztecs never spared a captive taken in war, and that all who fell into their hands were destined83 for the altars of their gods. He regretted deeply that he had not fallen in battle; but determined that, at any rate, he would not die tamely; and resolved that, rather than be slaughtered84 in cold blood on the altar, when the time came, he would offer so desperate a resistance that they would be forced to kill him.
Passing along several canals, the canoe stopped at some stairs. Roger was taken out, and led through a shouting crowd to a great temple, where he was thrust into a prison room, already occupied by several Spaniards. Their numbers increased, until they amounted to twenty.
Few words were spoken among the prisoners. Their arms were free, but their legs firmly secured with ropes; and ten armed Aztecs kept watch over them, to see that they made no attempt to unfasten their bonds.
One of the prisoners Roger saw, to his regret, was his friend Juan. He was severely85 wounded in several places; as indeed was Roger himself, although in the excitement of the battle he had scarce noticed it.
"Well, lad!" the old soldier said. "This is a bad ending of our gold seeking. Who would have thought that it was to be one's lot, first to be murdered on the altars of a hideous86 god, and then to furnish a meal to a race of savages87?"
"The furnishing the meal does not trouble me," Roger replied. "Whether one is drowned and eaten by fishes, or killed and eaten by Aztecs, makes, as far as I can see, but little difference to one. However, I don't quite make up my mind to the worst yet, Juan. They must have captured a great number of us, for I saw many carried off who are not here; besides a multitude of Tlascalans and our other allies. I do not suppose they will sacrifice us all at once, but are likely to take so many a day. In that case, we may have the luck to be among the last; and before our turn comes, the Spaniards may be masters of the town."
Juan shook his head.
"It is just as well to hope, lad; but I think the chances are next to nothing. Even if Cortez himself gets out safe, and the troops draw off without much further loss, it will be some days before they will attack again, after such a maiming as we got, this time. Even then their chances of success will be no better than they were today; worse, in fact, for we have lost something like a sixth of our force, beside what may have fallen in the attack from the other side; put it at a quarter, altogether. Our natives will be dispirited by their defeat today, and the Aztecs will have gained in confidence.
"By Saint James, but those fellows fight well! Who would have thought, when we saw them bowing and smiling when we first arrived in the city, and submitting so meekly88 to everything, that they could fight like fiends? Never did I see men so reckless of life.
"Pedro has fallen. I loved him as a son. But far better dead than here."
"I am sorry, indeed, to hear that he has fallen, Juan. I feared that he had, for he would not have let you be captured, had he been alive.
"I don't give up all hope for ourselves. The Mexicans fight like heroes, but in the end we must win, in spite of their valor. Even if we do not take the town by storm, which I don't think we ever should do, if it were provisioned, we shall take it by hunger. They must be well-nigh starving now. In another month there will not be a soul alive in the city.
"You do not think there is any chance of our making our escape?"
"Not unless wings could sprout89 out from our shoulders," Juan said, "and we could fly through the air. You may be sure these fellows will keep too sharp a lookout90 upon us to give us the shadow of a chance; besides, if we were to get out, we could not go on foot without being detected.
"You might manage, lad, with a dark night to hide your color, and with the aid of a native dress, for you can speak their tongue; but as for me, the idea is hopeless, and not to be thought of. No, no, lad, I do not delude91 myself. My time has come; and I shall bear it, I hope, like a man, and a Christian92."
From time to time, Aztecs came in to see that the prisoners were safe. From their conversation with the guards, Roger gathered that the attack had everywhere failed, and that the Spaniards had retired to their camps.
Late in the afternoon some priests entered. Two of the prisoners were selected by them, their bonds cut, and they were taken away. Soon afterwards, the sound of the great war drum reverberated93 through the city.
The Spaniards in their camps started to arms, on hearing the sound; but they were not long in understanding its meaning, for from their camps they beheld95 a great procession winding up the principal pyramid. Alvarado's camp, which was the nearest to the city, was a short mile away from the temple; and in the clear evening air the troops could see that there were five or six white figures among them.
As usual, the victims were decorated with plumes96 of feathers, to do honor to their own sacrifice. They were driven along with blows and, when they reached the summit of the temple, were seized and thrown, one by one, upon their backs upon the sacrificial stone, which was convex, so as to give a curve to their bodies. The principal priest then, with a sharp stone knife, cut through the skin and flesh between two of the ribs97 and, plunging98 his hand into the orifice, dragged out the heart, which he presented to the figure of the god.
The sight, distant as it was, excited the Spaniards to the verge99 of madness; and if it had not been for their officers, they would have seized their weapons and rushed forward again to the attack, to avenge100 the murder of their comrades.
The feelings of the captives, as they heard the sound of the drums, the shouts of the natives, and once or twice caught the scream of agony of their comrades, were terrible. This was the fate that they, too, were to undergo; and men who had, a hundred times, looked death in battle in the face, shuddered101 and trembled at their approaching doom102.
Each day two of their number were taken, and the same terrible scene was gone through. Roger was rather surprised that he himself was not one of the first selected, as his height and figure made him specially103 conspicuous104 among his comrades; but he supposed that he was being one of those reserved for some special festival. Whatever the famine might be in the city, the captives were well fed; for it was a point of honor, among the Aztecs, that all victims offered to the gods should be in good health and condition.
The guards were changed every six hours, and on the third day, in the officer over the relief, Roger recognized, to his surprise and delight, his friend Bathalda. The latter, as he entered, made a significant motion to Roger, as he caught his eye, to make no sign that he recognized him.
The Aztecs, as usual, sat down in groups, chatting. They had no fear whatever of the prisoners attempting to escape in the daytime, and it was only at night that they exercised any special vigilance in seeing that they did not attempt to unloose their bonds. Bathalda presently sauntered up into the corner in which Roger was sitting.
"How are my friends?" the latter asked, in a low voice.
"Well," Bathalda replied. "Cuitcatl explained to the young emperor the circumstances under which he came to know and assist you, and was at once restored to favor, and now commands a large body of troops here. I have not seen the princess. She is at the palace. Cuitcatl bade me tell you that they are working for you, and will rescue you before the time comes for your sacrifice; but at present the watch is too strict."
"But I may be chosen, any day," Roger said.
Bathalda shook his head.
"Cuitcatl has bribed105 the priests who choose the victims to leave you until the last; so you need not feel uneasiness on that score. Be patient and watchful107. If any of your guard approach you and say, 'The time is at hand,' you will know that he is a friend. Act as he tells you. I dare not say more, now."
Ten days passed. Juan had gone, and Roger had been much moved at parting with him--more so, indeed, than the old soldier himself, who had kept up firmly, and was prepared to meet his fate with contempt for his enemies, in the assurance that his death would be terribly avenged108.
Bathalda had not reappeared. As the number of prisoners had decreased, the guard had been diminished; and as there now only remained Roger and one other, and both were still bound, a single Aztec relieved the two who had, the night before, kept guard.
He stood, indifferently gazing through the loophole, until Roger's companion fell asleep. Then he approached him and said:
"The time is at hand. Tomorrow the other will be taken. The number will be made up from the other prisons. At night Cuitcatl will be outside. The door here will not be bolted. You will have but one man to watch you; but we know not whom he may be, and may not be able to arrange with him. If we do, he will give you the password. If not, you must deal with him. The man who will follow me is in the secret. You must unfasten your ropes while he is here, and he will aid you to do them up again, so that, while to the eye they will seem secure, they can be shaken off instantly.
"Bathalda and another will accompany you. I do not know who the other is; but I was told that you would understand."
That other Roger felt sure must be Amenche; and his heart beat hotly, at the thought that his dear princess would share his flight.
The hours passed quickly. The next day the last Spaniard was taken; and no sooner had he been forced, struggling and resisting, from the chamber70; than the guard who, since he had taken up his post four hours before, had made no sign to Roger, gave the password agreed upon. The latter rose to his feet and, with the aid of the native, unfastened the cords that bound his ankles together.
For half an hour he paced up and down the chamber, to restore the circulation to his feet. Then the guard replaced the cords, but did it in such a way that, though they seemed as tight and secure as before, they would at a slight effort fall off, and leave him free.
At eight o'clock in the evening the guard was relieved. He had told Roger that he was to listen for the cry of an owl109 outside, twice repeated; and that upon hearing this, he would know that his friends were without. Roger listened anxiously for the password from his new guard; but as it did not come, he concluded that Cuitcatl had not been able to bribe106 him, and that he must himself overpower the man.
The Aztec placed himself at the loophole, and stood looking out; turning, from time to time, to see by the light of the torch, which was fixed110 close to where Roger was lying, that he was making no attempt to release himself from his bonds.
It was not until nearly midnight that Roger heard the expected signal. No sooner was the second call given, than he pulled the knot which kept the cords together, raised himself noiselessly to his feet, and sprang upon the Aztec. Taken by surprise, the man was no more than a child in Roger's strong grasp. In a moment he was thrown down, his cloth was twisted round his mouth, so as to prevent any cry from escaping him, and his arms were bound behind him with Roger's rope.
Roger then took his sword and javelin, and went to the door. As he had been told would be the case, the outer bolts were unfastened. Passing along a passage, he came to the outside gate. This was securely fastened, but Roger had no difficulty in scaling the roof of a building leaning against the outer wall; and on reaching this, he pulled himself up and dropped down into the street beyond.
Three persons were standing94 at the gate, and he at once made towards them. One ran forward with a little cry, and threw herself into his arms. The others were, as he had expected, Cuitcatl and Bathalda. The former saluted111 him warmly.
"Thank the gods you are free, Roger," he said. "I have a canoe close at hand for you. Bathalda will accompany you and the princess. I cannot leave. I am an Aztec, and shall fight until the last, with our brave young emperor."
"I hope, Cuitcatl, that when the resistance is over--as it must be before long, for I know from the talk of the guards that famine is among you, and that hundreds are dying daily--I hope that I may be able to aid you, as you are aiding me."
"I care not to live," Cuitcatl said. "The empire is lost."
"But there is no dishonor in that," Roger replied. "No men could defend themselves more bravely than you have done, and there is no disgrace in being vanquished112 by superior arms. I trust that you may live, and be happy, yet."
"Let us not stand here talking," the young cazique said. "It is not as it was before. Then you might walk through the city at midnight, without meeting with a single person. We sleep no longer now, but make nightly attacks on the Spaniards; and at any moment bodies of troops may come along."
The little party moved forward, and in a minute descended113 the steps. Bathalda took his place in a small canoe lying there.
"Here is a weapon which will suit you better than that sword and javelin," he said, handing him a war club, a heavy weapon, with pieces of sharp-pointed obsidian114 fixed in it.
"Go," the latter exclaimed. "I can hear troops approaching."
So saying, he bounded swiftly away. Bathalda sat listening for a moment, to discover the direction from which the troops were coming. As soon as he made out the soft tread of the shoeless feet, he dipped his paddle in the water, and the boat glided116 noiselessly away.
It was not long before they emerged from the narrow water way on to the lake; and then the boat's head was turned in the direction in which lay the Tlacopan causeway. Presently Amenche, who had been sitting nestled close to Roger--too happy even to speak--sat up and said:
Bathalda ceased rowing.
"There is a large canoe coming up behind us," he said, listening intently. "I can hear others on the lake, beyond us."
"We had better make into the shore again," Roger said, "and let them pass us."
The canoe, however, was not very far behind; and those on board caught sight of the little craft, as she rowed in towards shore. It was unusual to see so small a boat at night. The idea that it might contain a spy occurred to them, and they shouted to them to stop.
Bathalda exerted himself to the utmost, but the canoe came rapidly up to them. As the command to stop was again disregarded, a volley of javelins118 was discharged.
"We cannot escape," Bathalda said. "They will be upon us, before we can land."
"Cease rowing," Roger said.
"Amenche, lie still, dear, at the bottom of the boat. I will deal with them."
Seeing that the oarsmen had stopped paddling, the volley of javelins ceased; and the canoe, which contained some twenty men, ran alongside.
As she did so, Roger sprang on board her. Three or four of the natives were struck down in an instant, with his terrible weapon. The others, as soon as they recovered from their astonishment119, rose from their seats and attacked him. Their numbers were but of slight avail. Standing in the bow of the boat, and swinging his weapon round his head, Roger kept them off; beating down one, each time his weapon fell. In vain they tried to close with him. His great size, and the suddenness with which he had attacked them, acted upon their superstitious120 fears. They knew not what sort of being it was with whom they had to deal, and the terrible strength displayed, and the instant fate that fell on all who approached him, appalled them.
Roger soon took the offensive and, making his way along the boat, drove them back before him. At last, when more than half their number had fallen, the rest sprang overboard and swam to the shore. Roger had been wounded by three or four spear thrusts, but these had been too hastily given to penetrate very deeply.
"I am unhurt, Amenche," he said, making his way forward again, and stepping into the canoe.
There was no reply. He stooped over, as she lay quietly there.
"She has fainted," he said.
"Row on, Bathalda. You had best give me the other paddle. I can hear boats coming in this direction. No doubt they heard the yells.
"Skirt along the shore. We shall be unseen, close in; and if they approach us, can take refuge in a canal."
But they passed along unnoticed. When they caught sight of the causeway, stretching away dimly in front of them, they again rowed out into the lake and, making a long circuit to avoid the canoes attacking Xoloc, the guns of which were firing hotly, came down on the causeway again in its rear.
They were hailed as they approached, for the Spaniards were all under arms. Roger shouted that he was a friend, who had escaped from the prison; and the Spaniards, in return, gave a shout of welcome. In another two minutes, the canoe lay alongside the causeway.
Bathalda sprang on shore, and held the canoe while Roger lifted Amenche up, and stepped out. A dozen hands were held out to assist him to climb the slippery bank.
His figure was known by them all. Many exclamations121 of welcome greeted him, and many were the inquiries122 as to the other captives.
"I will tell you all about it, directly. Bring the torch a little closer. I have a lady here who has fainted. We were attacked as we came out. The fight was a sharp one, and has scared her."
A soldier brought a torch and, as he did so, Roger uttered a loud cry. Amenche's face was bloodless, and her eyes were closed. But it was not this that had caused Roger's cry. There was a dark stain on her white dress, and in its center the feathered head of an arrow. While Bathalda and Roger had escaped the missiles, with which those in the boat heralded123 their attack; an arrow had struck Amenche, as she turned, when Roger sprang on board.
So great was Roger's horror that he reeled, and would have fallen, had not the soldiers standing round supported him.
"I think that she has but fainted from loss of blood," Bathalda said; and Roger, refusing all assistance, carried Amenche to the fort through the ranks of the Spaniards, who were engaged hotly with their assailants in the canoes.
He bore her, at once, to the chamber occupied by Marina. She was up and dressed, for the attack was a hot one, and there was no sleep in Xoloc. She uttered a cry of welcome, and gladness, as Roger entered.
"I have escaped, Malinche," he said; "but I fear that she has died in saving me. I have brought her to you, as you are the only woman here."
Marina took the girl tenderly, and laid her on a couch.
Malinche undertakes the care of the wounded Amenche
"I will see to her," she said, softly. "Leave her to me, Roger."
As Roger, blinded with tears, left the room, an officer met him at the door, and told him that Cortez had just heard of his arrival, and desired his presence. The general received him with great kindness.
"It is something to see one of my comrades back again, Sancho," he said. "I hear how sad a misfortune has befallen you; for I suppose the lady you brought ashore124 was she of whom Marina spoke78 to me. She told me that she did not give up all hope that you might return; for that the princess whom you loved was in the city, and would, she was sure, do all that she could to save your life."
"She did so, General," Roger said; "and I fear at the cost of her own--she and a noble young cazique, who was a brother to me, when I was living at Tezcuco."
"I will not trouble you now with questions," Cortez said; "but tell me--do you know whether any of the other prisoners are alive? Every evening we have marked that terrible procession to the summit of the temple. Fifty-eight have been sacrificed, but we know not exactly how many more remain; being ignorant which of our comrades fell, and which were captured."
"I cannot tell," Roger replied. "I was the only one left, out of twenty who were in prison together. If they were taken in the same proportion from the other prisons, there can be but a few remaining now. I was set aside until the last, because the priest who had daily chosen out the victims had been bribed by my friend Cuitcatl."
Roger hastened away, as soon as Cortez dismissed him, and hurried back to Malinche's apartment. Her Mexican attendant, who was standing outside the door, opened it when she saw him approaching; and as she came up Malinche stole out, with her finger on her lips.
"We have taken out the arrow," she said. "She is still insensible; but the leech125 thinks that it is from loss of blood, and hopes that no vital point has been injured. More than that he cannot say, at present.
"You had best have your own wounds attended to, now. I will have a pile of rugs laid for you, in this little room to the left; and will let you know if any change takes place."
"Do you think that there is any hope, Malinche?"
Malinche shook her head.
"I know not, Roger. I have already sent off to the mainland, to fetch a leech famous for his skill in the use of herbs. Our people have many simples of which you know nothing in Europe, and they are very skillful in the treatment of wounds--much more so, I think, than the white men."
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1
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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planks
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| （厚）木板( plank的名词复数 )； 政纲条目，政策要点 | |
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3
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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4
artillery
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| n.(军)火炮，大炮；炮兵(部队) | |
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5
wading
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| （从水、泥等）蹚，走过，跋( wade的现在分词 ) | |
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din
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| n.喧闹声，嘈杂声 | |
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winding
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| n.绕，缠，绕组，线圈 | |
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8
hurled
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| v.猛投，用力掷( hurl的过去式和过去分词 )；大声叫骂 | |
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disorder
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| n.紊乱，混乱；骚动，骚乱；疾病，失调 | |
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torrent
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| n.激流，洪流；爆发，(话语等的)连发 | |
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cavalry
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| n.骑兵；轻装甲部队 | |
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12
plunged
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| v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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13
followers
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| 追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件 | |
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14
follower
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| n.跟随者；随员；门徒；信徒 | |
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15
cannon
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| n.大炮，火炮；飞机上的机关炮 | |
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16
retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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17
penetrate
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| v.透(渗)入；刺入，刺穿；洞察，了解 | |
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18
aloof
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| adj.远离的；冷淡的，漠不关心的 | |
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19
submission
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| n.服从，投降；温顺，谦虚；提出 | |
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20
levies
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| （部队）征兵( levy的名词复数 )； 募捐； 被征募的军队 | |
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21
adherent
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| n.信徒，追随者，拥护者 | |
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22
stoutly
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| adv.牢固地，粗壮的 | |
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23
obstinacy
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| n.顽固；（病痛等）难治 | |
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24
edifices
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| n.大建筑物( edifice的名词复数 ) | |
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25
intimidated
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| v.恐吓；威胁adj.害怕的；受到威胁的 | |
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26
accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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27
desperately
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| adv.极度渴望地，绝望地，孤注一掷地 | |
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28
assailed
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| v.攻击( assail的过去式和过去分词 )；困扰；质问；毅然应对 | |
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29
breaches
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| 破坏( breach的名词复数 )； 破裂； 缺口； 违背 | |
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30
breach
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| n.违反，不履行；破裂；vt.冲破，攻破 | |
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31
fatigue
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| n.疲劳，劳累 | |
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32
incessant
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| adj.不停的，连续的 | |
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33
toil
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| vi.辛劳工作，艰难地行动；n.苦工，难事 | |
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34
torrents
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| n.倾注；奔流( torrent的名词复数 )；急流；爆发；连续不断 | |
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35
tempestuous
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| adj.狂暴的 | |
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36
stratagem
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| n.诡计，计谋 | |
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37
vessels
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| n.血管( vessel的名词复数 )；船；容器；（具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的）人 | |
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38
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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39
defiant
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| adj.无礼的，挑战的 | |
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40
negotiations
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| 协商( negotiation的名词复数 )； 谈判； 完成（难事）； 通过 | |
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41
invaders
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| 入侵者，侵略者，侵入物( invader的名词复数 ) | |
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42
sweeping
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| adj.范围广大的，一扫无遗的 | |
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43
tenacity
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| n.坚韧 | |
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44
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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45
spacious
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| adj.广阔的，宽敞的 | |
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46
porticoes
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| n.柱廊，（有圆柱的）门廊( portico的名词复数 ) | |
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47
countless
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| adj.无数的，多得不计其数的 | |
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48
penetrated
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| adj. 击穿的，鞭辟入里的 动词penetrate的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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49
simultaneously
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| adv.同时发生地，同时进行地 | |
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50
interfering
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| adj. 妨碍的 动词interfere的现在分词 | |
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51
steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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52
apprehended
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| 逮捕，拘押( apprehend的过去式和过去分词 )； 理解 | |
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53
retraced
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| v.折回( retrace的过去式和过去分词 )；回忆；回顾；追溯 | |
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54
stringent
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| adj.严厉的；令人信服的；银根紧的 | |
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55
mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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56
barricades
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| 路障，障碍物( barricade的名词复数 ) | |
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57
chasm
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| n.深坑，断层，裂口，大分岐，利害冲突 | |
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58
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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59
swarms
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| 蜂群，一大群( swarm的名词复数 ) | |
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60
warriors
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| 武士，勇士，战士( warrior的名词复数 ) | |
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61
appalled
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| v.使惊骇，使充满恐惧( appall的过去式和过去分词)adj.惊骇的；丧胆的 | |
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62
smitten
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| 猛打，重击，打击( smite的过去分词 ) | |
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63
foam
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| v./n.泡沫，起泡沫 | |
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64
crest
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| n.顶点；饰章；羽冠；vt.达到顶点；vi.形成浪尖 | |
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65
dike
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| n.堤，沟；v.开沟排水 | |
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66
hurling
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| n.爱尔兰式曲棍球v.猛投，用力掷( hurl的现在分词 )；大声叫骂 | |
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67
severed
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| v.切断，断绝( sever的过去式和过去分词 )；断，裂 | |
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68
foes
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| 敌人，仇敌( foe的名词复数 ) | |
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69
javelin
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| n.标枪，投枪 | |
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70
chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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71
bridle
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| n.笼头，束缚；vt.抑制，约束；动怒 | |
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72
fugitives
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| n.亡命者，逃命者( fugitive的名词复数 ) | |
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73
bloody
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| adj.非常的的；流血的；残忍的；adv.很；vt.血染 | |
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74
persevere
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| v.坚持，坚忍，不屈不挠 | |
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75
entrenchment
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| n.壕沟，防御设施 | |
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76
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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77
fray
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| v.争吵；打斗；磨损，磨破；n.吵架；打斗 | |
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78
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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79
valor
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| n.勇气，英勇 | |
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80
bodyguard
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| n.护卫，保镖 | |
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81
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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82
triumphant
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| adj.胜利的，成功的；狂欢的，喜悦的 | |
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83
destined
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| adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的 | |
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84
slaughtered
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| v.屠杀，杀戮，屠宰( slaughter的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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85
severely
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| adv.严格地；严厉地；非常恶劣地 | |
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86
hideous
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| adj.丑陋的，可憎的，可怕的，恐怖的 | |
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87
savages
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| 未开化的人，野蛮人( savage的名词复数 ) | |
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88
meekly
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| adv.温顺地，逆来顺受地 | |
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89
sprout
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| n.芽，萌芽；vt.使发芽，摘去芽；vi.长芽，抽条 | |
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90
lookout
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| n.注意，前途，瞭望台 | |
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91
delude
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| vt.欺骗；哄骗 | |
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92
Christian
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| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
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93
reverberated
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| 回响，回荡( reverberate的过去式和过去分词 )； 使反响，使回荡，使反射 | |
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94
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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95
beheld
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| v.看，注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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96
plumes
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| 羽毛( plume的名词复数 )； 羽毛饰； 羽毛状物； 升上空中的羽状物 | |
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97
ribs
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| n.肋骨( rib的名词复数 )；（船或屋顶等的）肋拱；肋骨状的东西；（织物的）凸条花纹 | |
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98
plunging
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| adj.跳进的，突进的v.颠簸( plunge的现在分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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99
verge
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| n.边，边缘；v.接近，濒临 | |
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100
avenge
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| v.为...复仇，为...报仇 | |
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101
shuddered
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| v.战栗( shudder的过去式和过去分词 )；发抖；（机器、车辆等）突然震动；颤动 | |
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102
doom
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| n.厄运，劫数；v.注定，命定 | |
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103
specially
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| adv.特定地；特殊地；明确地 | |
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104
conspicuous
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| adj.明眼的，惹人注目的；炫耀的，摆阔气的 | |
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105
bribed
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| v.贿赂( bribe的过去式和过去分词 )；向（某人）行贿，贿赂 | |
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106
bribe
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| n.贿赂；v.向…行贿，买通 | |
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107
watchful
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| adj.注意的，警惕的 | |
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108
avenged
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| v.为…复仇，报…之仇( avenge的过去式和过去分词 )；为…报复 | |
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109
owl
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| n.猫头鹰，枭 | |
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110
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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111
saluted
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| v.欢迎，致敬( salute的过去式和过去分词 )；赞扬，赞颂 | |
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112
vanquished
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| v.征服( vanquish的过去式和过去分词 )；战胜；克服；抑制 | |
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113
descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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114
obsidian
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| n.黑曜石 | |
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115
wrung
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| 绞( wring的过去式和过去分词 )； 握紧（尤指别人的手）； 把（湿衣服）拧干； 绞掉（水） | |
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116
glided
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| v.滑动( glide的过去式和过去分词 )；掠过；（鸟或飞机 ） 滑翔 | |
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117
hush
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| int.嘘，别出声；n.沉默，静寂；v.使安静 | |
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118
javelins
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| n.标枪( javelin的名词复数 ) | |
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119
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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120
superstitious
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| adj.迷信的 | |
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121
exclamations
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| n.呼喊( exclamation的名词复数 )；感叹；感叹语；感叹词 | |
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122
inquiries
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| n.调查( inquiry的名词复数 )；疑问；探究；打听 | |
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123
heralded
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| v.预示( herald的过去式和过去分词 )；宣布（好或重要） | |
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124
ashore
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| adv.在(向)岸上，上岸 | |
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125
leech
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| n.水蛭，吸血鬼，榨取他人利益的人；vt.以水蛭吸血；vi.依附于别人 | |
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