The National tribune., 1899-04-13

ceeded in beating down several breache
in the wall, and found that they coul
sometimes drive the besieged from them
than they made trial of the expedient
They rushed together against the wall
in general assault, waving firebrand
and torches, which those who forced thei
way through the breaches applied to tn
stalls and arbors, or scattered over tn
beds of the Tlascalans. The dying IN
cendiary, pierced with a dozen spears
ended his life with laugh of Joy, as h
beheld the flames burst ruddily up TO hi
brand.
The misery OF the Spaniards was nov
complete. They were parched with thirst
The sweet fountains of Chap ltepec Gush
ed only over the square OF the temple. /
we'll, dug by Alvarado, in his extremity
furnished Il meager supply of water, an'
that so brackish, that even the brute'
turned from it in disgust, till forced Il
drink, by pangS that would allow then
| to be fastidiouS no longer.
| The nearest canal, conduct ng the brln!
waters of TezcucO, was shut out by ram
parts of savages. The SpaHiards, witt
spair. as they beheld the flames run Owe
the court, the stalls, the kennels, and w
the palace walls, and knew not how t.
extinguish them. The cry was answered
from without, with such yells of exulta
tion, as froze their blood; and in the
glare of the sudden confiagration, they
saw the barbarians rushing again to the
attack, darting through the breaches, and
leaping over the walls.
In this strait, beset at once by two
foes, equally irresistible, equally pltIlessi
they struck about them blindly and de-
spairingly, cursing their fate, their folly
and the leader who had seduced them
from their island homes, to die death sc
ignoble and so dreadful.
For moment, the spirit of the General
sunk, and turning to Don Amador, whose
fate it was again to be at his side, he
said, with a ghastly countenance, rem
dered hideous by the internal glare:
1--WE die the death of foxes in hole,
very noble friendl Commend thy soul to
God, and choose thy death; for we have
no water to quench this hell"
"God help my kinsman and father, and
all is one! said Amador, with desperate
calmness. ''The flames are hot, but the
grave is cold"
"The grave is coldw shouted Cortez,
with the voice of a madman. "Live in my
heart forever! Cold grave, moist earth
and Santiago, who strikes for true
Christian, speaks in thy words!-What
no, mad Spaniards" he continued, shout
ing aloud, and running as he spoke round
the palace; earth quenches flames, like
waterl Swords and hands to the task;
and he works best, who delves as at the
grave of his foemanp
If there was obscurity in the words OF
the General, it was dispelled by his &C
tons: for, dashing the rushes aside, ne
loosened the damp soil with his saber,
and flung the clods Justify on the nearest
flames. Loud and joyous were the shouts
of his people, as hope dawned upon them
with the happy idea; and, in moment,
the hands of many thousand men were
tearing up the earth of the court, and
casting it on the flames, while the saw
ages, confidently expecting the result ifa-ta ol
their stratagem, intermitted the efforts
for awhile, leaving the gates and breaches
nearly unguarded.
1t is probable, that even this poor re-
source, in the hands of so great multi
tude of men, toiling with the zeal OF des-
pera ion, might have sufficed to quel the
flames But, as if heaven had at last
taken pity on their sufferings, and vouch-
safed a miracle for their relief, there came
almos at the same moment, the patterIng
of rain-drops, which were quickly fol
lowed by heavenly deluge; and as the
flames vanished under it, the Christians
iell upon their knees, and, with devout
ardor, offered up thanks to the Providence
hat had so marvellOuSly preserved them.
They sprang from their knees, with
oolder hearts, as the Mexicans again ad-
vanced to the assault. But this was the
ast attack. AS if satisfied with the tolls
IF the day, or commanded by some un-
known ruler, the .barbarians, uttering
scream, suddenly Departed
They were heard during the night; and in
he morning, when the waning moon
,hone dimly through the rack, were seen
stirring about the square, but in no great
numbers; and as they did not attempt
any annoyance. but seemed engaged in