eadly fire of the Spaniards and the pikes and clubs of their Tlascalan
allies, while from the roofs of such of the neighbouring houses as
remained unburned, and more especially from the platform of the great
teocalli, on which I must presently give up the ghost, arrows, javelins,
and stones were poured by thousands into the courtyards and outer works
of the Spanish quarters.

Five hundred yards away or so, raged this struggle to the death, but
about me, around the gates of Montezuma's palace on the hither side
of the square, was a different scene. Here were gathered a vast crowd,
among them many women and children, waiting to see me die. They came
with flowers in their hands, with the sound of music and joyous cries,
and when they saw me they set up such a shout of welcome that it almost
drowned the thunder of the guns and the angry roar of battle. Now and
again an ill-aimed cannon ball would plough through them, killing some
and wounding others, but the rest took no heed, only crying the more,
'Welcome, Tezcat, and farewell. Blessings on you, our deliverer, welcome
and farewell!'

We went slowly through the press, treading on a path of flowers, till we
came across the courtyard to the base of the pyramid. Here at the outer
gate there was a halt because of the multitude of the people, and while
we waited a warrior thrust his way through the crowd and bowed before
me. Glancing up I saw that it was Guatemoc.

'Teule,' he whispered to me, 'I leave my charge yonder,' and he nodded
towards the force who strove to break a way into the palace of Axa, 'to
bid you farewell. Doubtless we shall meet again ere long. Believe me,
Teule, I would have helped you if I could, but it cannot be. I wish
that I might change places with you. My friend, farewell. Twice you have
saved my life, but yours I cannot save.'

'Farewell, Guatemoc,' I answered 'heaven prosper you, for you are a true
man.'

Then we passed on.

At the foot of the pyramid the procession was formed, and here one of my
wives bade me adieu after weeping on my neck, though I did not weep on
hers. Now the road to the summit of the teocalli winds round and round
the pyramid, ever mounting higher as it winds, and along this road we
went in solemn state. At each turn we halted and another wife bade me a
last good-bye, or one of my instruments of music, which I did not grieve
to see the last of, or some article of my strange attire, was taken
from me. At length after an hou