The National tribune., 1899-07-20

spicuously visible, even from the mountain
AZtaquemacan, which the Spaniards were
now descending. In the center of the
pagan army was a group of warriors,
OF their penachos, the glittering of their
jeweled decorations, and the sheen of their
copper lances, the. blades of which, like
some that had been seen in Mexico were
full yard in length, and polished SO that
they shone like gold. These were the
guards,-a body of young nobles,-which
surrounded the person of the General, to
protect the banner from violence. In the
center of this group, upon litter of almost
imperial gorgeouSneSS, stood the stately
barbarian, bearing on a long pike-staff the
standard, which was a sort of network,
! made of chains Of gold,-and, therefore, a
more significant emblem of the object Of
conquest, and the fate of Subjugation, than
any banner of a Christian nation, even at
this day. A few white feathers, waving
amongst the links, kept it ever conspicuous
AS Don fernando descended, he ex-
planned to the horsemen his design to merge
every other object in that of seizing the
Mexican standard; a project which met the
concurrence of each.
"All that have now to say to you" he
added, when approaching the base of the
hill, "is, to charge with me at half-speed,
and take no thought of Staying. Those of
you, who have ever endured the baStinado
of a pedagog, will remember that julius
Cesar, or some such knave of a paynim, it
matters not who, being opposed in some
civil war, to certain cohorts of young gal
! lants and hidalgos of Rome, directed his
archers to spare the lives, but to let fly at the
faces, of these lady-puppetS-a counsel of
infinite wisdom; for, / remember, that in my
youth. until got this cash O the chin from
gentleman of Saragossa, which somewhat
spoilS the beauty Of my beard, | had a
IN a. Wi mo IN
much given to striking at the face. What
/ have 10 advise. therefore, is, that you will
initiate the wisdom of that same Roman
hound, and lance your spears full at the
eyes Of all who may oppose you. ] have
given charge to the footmen to finish CIR
work: while they are slaughtering such
ours as are not satisfied with scratched
faces, we will make free with yon same
knave of the gold net. Let it be reckoned-
and It's worth kings ransom-the prize
of him who overthrows the General.-Harki
hear We now the infidels shout!-Are We
ready? In the name of God, the Virgin
and Santiago have at them now like men!
Amen! Santiago Santiagow
Thus shouting his War-cry, for now the
horsemen had reached the bottom of the
hill, Don fernando couched his spear, with
four cavaliers at his side, of whom Don
Amador de LeSte was one, and, followed by
all the others, dashed furiously at the first
ranks of the Mexicans, who were already
rushing against him.
The savages sprang aside, flinging their
iavelins and swords at the hot Christians,
and raining arrows on their armed bodies:
but ever, though thus expressing their hos
tility, yielding rank after rank before the
irresistible charge; until it became apparent
TO the most doubling, that they might sue
ceed, at last in reaching the banner They
therefore, redoubled their exertions shouted
the names of their saints, and aiming con-
| tinn1llv at the pf tho foo do
| progress, that they were already almost. as
| 1t seemed, within reach of the prize, when a
| yell OF the Indians of more than ordinary
ioudness, echoed by the infantry with ex-
CARNATIONS OF alarm, brought them to a
! sudden stand.
They had penetrated deeply into the
mass; but it was as noble ship plows
her way through pillows, which yield and
divide, only to unite again in her wake, and
roar after in pursuit. From their lofty
seats, they could overlook the multitude,
| and behold how quickly the path they had
carved, was filled up by streaming bar
| barians, rushing turbulenty after them:
! while others dashed in like numbers, and
with equal ferocity, upon the footmen, now
left far behind.
AS they looked thus over their shoulders.
they paused with surprise. and even per-
turbation; for they perceived. fllrionsly
descending the slope Of the hill on the left
hand, against the infantry which was al
ready sorely beset, what seemed Christian
cavalier in black armor, mounted on a
noble bay horse, and couching lance like
trained soldier, only that, behind him,
there followed, with savage yells, band of
several thousand Indians, bearing the we'll
known colors of Tenochtitlan itself
God be our stayi" cried the General.
looking aghast at this astonishing ap-
partitions; have we here an infidel god, in
very deed, risen up against us, and riding