The National tribune., 1899-06-08

cans. The final struggle between the
6paniards and the Aztecs is at hand.
The day that followed after the fatai
victory of the pyramid, brought its battles
like others. That day it became appar,
ent that the last fiber which bound hope tc
the palace wall was about snapping-it
was known to all that the Indian monarch
was expiring. The prediction of Botello
had made all acquainted with the day on
which retreat might be accomplished.
That day was drawing nigh; but the I'M
patience of the soldiers, and the anxiety of
the officers to prepare, or, at least to recon-
noiter, the path of retreat, again drove
them from their quarters. A weak but
well chosen and trusty garrison was left in
charge OF the palace, while Don Hernando,
with all the forces that could be spared of
his reduced army, sailed from the court
yard, and fought his way to the dixie OF
1Ztapalapan.
In this exploit new difficulties We're to
be overcome. and new proofs We're eX-
hibited of the sagacity and determination
of the barbar.ans. Besides the obstacles
offered by the bitches, robbed of their
bridges, the Mexicans had heaped together
across the streets the fragments OF their
demolished houses, TINS forming barriers,
which were not passet. W .hout the greatest
Spaniards perSevered, AM not lly gained
the causeway, but approached nigh to
IZtapalapan, before n 1'la=calan meSsen-
ger, creeping in disguise through the
crowds of enemies, recalled them TO the
palace, which was fur:ousiy assailed, and
in imminent danger of being carried by
storm.
1t is not to be supposed that this attempt
on the great dixie, and the return, were
effected without the most bloody opposi-
ton. The lake suddenly swarmed with
canoes full Of fighting men, and when Don
fernando again turned his face towards
Tenochtitian, he EeheId the causeway
covered with warriors, who, BESIDES dis
putting his passage with unappeasable
rage, broke as well as they could the
bridges over the sluices, seven in number,
wherein were mingled the foods of Chalco
and Tezcuco. HIS valor, however, or his
good fortune, prevailed; and by mghtfall
he reached the square of Axajacatl, and
fell with renewed fury upon the SavageS,
who still struggled with the garrison.
Among the unhappy victims of the
expedition was the knight of CalaYar,--
but how slain, or where ento1lbed, no
one could relate. From the dag of the
loss of his kinsman he had been reckoned
by all entirely insane. He held commun-
ion with none, not even his attendants; but
casting aside his abstraction, and resum-
ing his armor, he was present in every
conflict which ensued, fighting with an
ardor, fury, and recklessness as aStonish-
ing as they were maniacal. All that was
remembered of his fate, this day, was that,
when at the farthest part of the causeway,
the trumpetS were ordered to sound a
retreat, he was seen, without attendants,
for they were wedged fast in the melee,
dashing onwards amid the duSky crowds
that came rushing upon the front from the
suburbs Of Iztapalapan. Cortes had,
himself, called to the knight to return, and
not doubling that he would eytricate him
self without aid, had then given all his
attention to the Mexicans attacking on the
rear. ThiswaS known; it WAS known also
that Don Gabriel had not returned; beyond
this, all was mystery and gloom.
Two hours after nightfall, and while the
Spaniardswere still engaged in close battle
with the beSiegerS, who, this night, seemed
as if their rage was never to be appeased,
in his chamber, (the Moorish boy sitting
detected at his feet now starting up with
cries of grief and impatience, as the con-
tinued explosions of artillery admonished
him OF the straits of his friends, and now,
as these seemed to die away and be fol-
lowed by silence, giving his mind to other
not less exciting thoughts.
In the dead silence that followed, a
sudden interruption in the cannonade,
both heard rapid footsteps approaching the
door, accompanied by smothered groans
The page started-in an instant the
steps were heard in the passage, followed
by a heavy sound, as of man falling upon
the floor.
"0h, God! my fatheri my poor fatheri"
cried Jacinto, springing to the door,
He was arrested by the arm of the neo-
phyte, who plainly distinguished, along
with the groans that came from the pas
sage, o noise as If the sufferer were strug-
cvlfr 1 m hin foot. M ifna mo ont f.aff
he pushed aside the curtain, to go out
himself. the slave Ayub, covered with
blood, rushed by him into the apartment,
and again fell PROSTATE.
NY father, Ayub! my father?" cried the
page, kneeliDg at his side.
Allah il Allah! praised be Ged, for now
am safe!" said the Norisco, raising on his
arm, and. though his whole frame shook
as in the ague OF death, regarding the pair
with the greatest eKultation. Il thought
they had shot me through the liver with
bullet; but, Allah be praisedi twas naught
but an arrow. Help me up, noble senior RI
Eth? ay? Trim the taper a little, and give
me morSel of drink"
Thou sayeSt naught of my father,
Ayub! said Jacinto, eagerly and yet with
mortal fear-for he know by the gesture of
Don Amador, as be ceased his unavailing
attempt to lift the wounded man, but more
by the countenance Of Ayub himself, that
How can / speak without light" cried
the Moor, with a sort of chuckle. Trim
the torch, trim the torch, and let me see
where these beltheads bo ranking Praise
be to Allah, for l thought myself dead
man"
Wilt thou not speak to me Of my father?"
exclaimed Jacinto. in agony.
"A brave night a brave night" NUT
tered Ayub, fumbling at his garments
Valiant unbelievers.-Praised be Cod
The Wall"
SAY, the Walt the Wall, thy master,"
cried Jacinto, his voice dwindling to a
hoarse terrified whisper;-'my father,
thy ma or iyub!'
unbelieyer, reused by the distant explo-
sions;-!"At it yet, brave pagans? Roar,
cannon! Shout, infideli shout and whistle:
shout, whistle, and kill!-Save me the
Wall, save me the Walir'
"Oh, heaven, Ayub,-thou sayest moth
ing OF him,-of my father"
They took him prisoner-but we'll
have him againi-LeIilee! Lelilee,-
Strike fast, pagan!-A brave day for
Granada"
At these words Jacinto seemed not less
like to die than the fugitive. But as he
neither fell 10 the floor, nor screamed, Don
Amador still held fast to Ayub, who was
now struggling in the most fearful CON
vulsions, and yet, strange to hear. still
uttering broken expressions of Joy.
"A prisoner, a prisonerl-A little drink,
for the sake OF Allah!' he cried, incoher-
emily. "Ho, hal one runs so far with a
bullet In the liyerl Now they are at III
now they are killing the great senoresI
now, they murder 'em!-Great joyi a
great sight for Moor! great-great-