—Un esforcado soldado, que se dezia Lerma—Se fue entre los Indioscomo aburrido de temor del mismo Cortes, a quien avia ayudado a salvarla vida, por ciertas cosas de enojo que Cortes contra èl tuvo, queaqui no declaro por su honor: nunca mas supimos del vivo, ni muerto,mala suspecha tuvimos.
Bernal Diaz Del Castillo—Hist. Verd de la Conquista.
CHAPTER I.
CHAPTER II.
CHAPTER III.
CHAPTER IV.
CHAPTER V.
CHAPTER VI.
CHAPTER VII.
CHAPTER VIII.
CHAPTER IX.
CHAPTER X.
CHAPTER XI.
CHAPTER XII.
CHAPTER XIII.
CHAPTER XIV.
CHAPTER XV.
CHAPTER XVI.
CHAPTER XVII.
CHAPTER XVIII.
CHAPTER XIX.
CHAPTER XX.
CHAPTER XXI.
Before sunrise on the following morning, many a feathered band of alliesfrom distant tribes was pouring into Tezcuco; for this was the day onwhich the Captain-General had appointed to review his whole force,assign the several divisions to the command of his favourite officers,and expound the system of warfare, by which he expected to reduce thedoomed Tenochtitlan. The multitudes that were collected by midday wouldbe beyond our belief, did we not know that the royal valley, and everyneighbouring nook of Anahuac capable of cultivation, were covered by apopulation almost as dense as that which makes an ant-heap of the'Celestial Empire,' at this day.
While they were thus congregating together, marshalled under theirnative chiefs, emulously expressing their attachment to the Spaniard,and their enthusiasm in his cause, by the horrible clamour of drums andconches, Cortes was receiving, in the great Hall of Audience, thecompliments and reverence of those cavaliers, distinguished soldiers,and valiant infidel princes, whom he had inv