The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1895-01-16
CHAPTER XXX, CONTINUED
trtbe that Wrougnt JAG ueeo.

Soon tidings reached me that great
force of Tlascalan and other Indians were
being collected to put an end to us root
and branch, and that with them marched
more than a hundred Spaniards the expe-
dition being under the command of none
other than the Captain Bernal Diaz, that
same soldier whom I had spared in the
slaughter Of the noche triste, and whose
sword to this day hung at my side.
Now we must needs prepare our defense,
for our only hope lay in boldness. Once
before the Spaniards had attacked us with
thousands of their allies, and of their num-
Der but few had lived to look again on the
camp of Cortes. What had been done
could be done for a second time-so said
Otomie in the pride of her unconquerable
heart But alas, in IA years things had
changed much with us. Fourteen years
ago we held sway over great district of
mountains, whose crude clans would send
up their warriors in hundreds at our call.
Now these clans had broken from our yoke,
which was acknowledged by the people of
the City Of Pines alone and those of some
adjacent villages. When the Spaniards
came down On me the first time, was
able to muster an army OF 10, 600 soldiers
to oppose them; now, with much toll,
and 5000 men, and of these some slipped
away as the hour of danger drew nigh.
Still I must put bold face on my neces-
stiles and make what play [ might with
such forces as lay at my command, al
though In my heart I feared much for the
issue. But of my fears I said nothing to
Otomie, and if she felt any she, on her
part, buried them in her breast. In truth,
T do hpl foi in mo
that she thought my single wit enough to
overmatch all the armies Of the Spaniards.
Now at length the enemy drew near,
and set my battle as had done IA years
before, advancing down the pass by which
alone they could approach US with a small
portion of my force and statiOning the re-
mainder in two equal companies upon
either brow of the beetling cliffs that over
hung the road, having command to over
whelm the Spaniards with rocks, hurled
upon them from above, so soon as should
give the signal by flying before them down
the pass Other measures took also, for
seeing that, do what I would, it might
happen that we should be driven back
upon the City, l caused its walls and gates
to be set in order and garrisoned them. AS
q last resource too, I stored the lofty sum-
NIT Of the teOcalli, which, now that sacri-
fees were no longer offered there, was used
as TN arsenal for the material of war, with
water and provisions and fortified it's sides
by walls studded with volcanic glass and
by other devices till it seemed well nigh
impossible that any should be able to force
them while a score of men still lived to
offer a defense.
1t was on one night in the early sum
mer, having bid farewell to Otomie and
taking my son with me, for he was now of
an age when, according to the Indian Gus
toms, lads are brought face to face with
the dangers of battle, that I dispatched
the appointed companies to their stations
on the brow Of the precipice and sailed
into the darksOme mouth Of the pass with
the few hundred men who were left to me.
I knew by my spies that the Spaniards
who were encamped on the farther side
would attempt its passage an hour before
the daylight, trusting to finding me asleep.
And, sure enough, on the following morn
ing, SO early that the first rays Of the sun
1ad not yet stained the lofty SHOWS Of the
volcan Xaca that lowered behind us,
distant murmuring which echoed through
the silence Of the night told me that the
enemy had begun his march. I moved
down the pass to meet him easily enough
There was no, stone in it that was not
known to me and my men. But with the
Spaniards it was otherwise, for many of
them were mounted, and, moreover, they
GEaGGad with tham tHRa Garronadas- Time