The National tribune., 1899-05-04
SYNOPSIS OF PRECEDING CHAPTERS.

During the year after the landing oi
COrtez in Mexico, Amador de Leste, a
young Spanish nobleman, arrives at Vera
Cruz and learns that the Knight Calayar,
of whom he il, in search, is with CGrtez.
He makes his way to him an company
with STRIPPING secretary, sent with him
by Admiral Cavallero.- In The cayalcaGe
are Moorish prisoner and his boy,
Jacinto, whom Amador defends from an
officer, Saivatierra. After much difficulty
AmadOr reaches Cprtez'S army, and finds
his kinsman, Calavar, afflicted with
melancholy and. forgetfulness. Cortez' $
forces are greatly increased by an alli-
ance with the T1ascalans, natives of a
republican City in the midst of the Aztec
Empire, and enemies OF the MeXicanS.
Calavar is struck down by the Specter OF a
beautiful woman, murdered by him long
years ago at Granada. Abdal la tie Moor
deserts 10 the McNicanS. Don Amadar
becomes the protector OF .Iacinto. CGrtcZS s
army reaches the Aztec Capital after 4
perilGus march, and Jacinto disappears.
CorteZ insults Nontezuma ard arOuseS
the wrath of the ropulace. CorteZ'S army
is fiercely attacked and the MexicanS per
lSf in thousands before called away by
the sounding cf the sacred bugIe of Mex
It'll. Accompanied by number of mounted
men, CorteZ rides toward the temple.
Don AmadOr sees in the prioStcSS
Moorish maiden named Leila, whom he
had loved, and PrecipitateS an attack
by dashins into the procession. The
SpaniaTds regain the protection Of the
palace walls only after hours OF fighting,
where they are besieged By the MexicanS.
On the promise of fortez to leave the city,
Montezuma consents 10 intercede for the
Spaniards.
The canroneers. moved by this new
feeling, discharged their last volley with
rpGR will and at the tho
crOSsboymen and muSketcerS shot eff
their pieces from the wall ard the ter
races. The four sides Of the palace were
thus, at the same instant, sheeted with
flame; and the effect Of the combined
discharge was ircalculably great ard
fatal among the dense bodies OF beSiegcrs.
As they staggered, and fell back little,
TO recover from their confusion, the
mounted men, who had placed them
selves in readiness fOr.thc final charge,
rushed at once. spear in hand, on the
disOrdcred multitude, dealing death at
every thrust, and almost at every tramp
OF their chargers.
It Was precisely at this moment that
the Indian emperor, Grrayed in the pom
pouS and ieweled robes in which he was
wont 10 preside at the greater festivals of
the gods, with the Copilli on his head,
and the golden busiins on his feet, pre-
ceded ly a noble bearing the three rods Of
authority, and attended by half a dozen
valiant cavaliers 'of whom the neophyte
was cne), holding their bucklers in readi-
ness 10 protect him from any ili-directed |
stepped upon the terrace and |
advanced towards the battlements. The !
spectacle that presented itself in the |
Gawning light was, TO him at least, gricv- |
Gus and horrid. i lie earth Of the square, !
ard the dwellings that surrounded it, /
were tom by the cannon shots, ard many |
OF the houses had tumh!ed into ruins. /
rom this hight, also, could be seen the |
blackened wrecks, which marked the path |
OF the army, returning, the PREVIOUS day,
from the temple. But a more sorrowfuii
sight was presented to the unfortunate
monarch, in the prospect CT his people,
great numbers already lying dead on the |
iurIoWed square, while the survivors were
falling last under the lanccs OF the horse
men.
Don fernando enjoyed for a moment,
Win malicious satisfaction. the exclaIna-
ilonS oi grief, with which his prisoner be-
heid TINS sight; Tor Il was his pleasure 10
beiieve that Montezuma was Himself the
pianner OF the nsurection. Then, giving
Il sign 10 uumpeter, who was with the
party, 10 wind a retreat. the hCrsemen in
stantiy reined round their steeds. and
gai!oped back to iile courtyard. With a
LOUD yell OF triumph, tie Mcxicars. think
ing iher pursuerS fed from fear, PEE
pared to follow them, ard poised their
weapons as prclUde to the assault. At
that critical period the cavaliers moved
tslde iom their prisoner, and he stood
with his people Ii
ING great cry with which the barbarians
behSid their monarch had something in
u that was touching, for it expressed a