The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-06-26
AND WIEN Bokd 80 r4 IT OF WHAT HAPPENED


We're retiring 10 rest. This lighting
from ambush strikes me as cowardly
and for my part I shall have no share
in 1t. I'd like to tell the strangers
what is going on against them"
Il don't like 1t. either" Nam replied
but 1t is not our affair and we are
merely to obey the orders given to US
by Montezuma. who has been kind to
US 1t is my opinion that the emperor
Is making great mistake and that he
can not save the empire by half way
measures such as this"
do you really think that the empire
is in any DANGER" Ital asked incredu-
lousy.
Nam shook his head. Il fear So" he
said. And as for this plot they have
made against the strangers. too many
people know 1t. I don't believe it will
succeed"
All remained quiet the next day. and
the departure of the strangers had been
set for the following day. There was
no sign that they suspected anything
and the caciques were certain that the
affair was as good as finished Thev
were especially pleased when Cortez. "a
the leader OF the enemy was called
sent TO them for a thousand men TO
drag the heavy tubes in which he car
ried the death dealing thunder And
lightning that the natives feared 40
much
This will deprive him OF the use o.
the tubes they said 10 themseIvssy
and he Will be in our powerr' So thev
gave MIN not only the thousand men
asked for, but twice that number.
Nam and Ital were aroused at dav-
break on the fatal morning By the news
that the captain OF the strangers had
sent Tor the ambassadors from the
emperor. They Joined the others and
hastened TO the great square in which
the white men had been placed bv the
caclGues- They found the strangers
not only astir. but drawn up on all
sides Of the square. They noticed Also
that the great death tubes-which. of
course, were eannon-had been placed
so that they pointed down the streets
which led into the square. This sight
made them uneasy. but il was too late
to retreat
Cortez met them in the middle OF the
square with a stern face and angry
eyes They tried as usual, to say
something polite to him, but he would
not listen TO them.
Il have learned that the cacfoues or
this city have laid a plot against me"
he said. and an interpreter explained
to them the meaning OF the words.
Pits have been dug and barriers have
been built in the streets On the roofs
OF the houses there are heaps OF stones
and many soldiers have been assembled
to fall upon US. What does this
mean?'
We know not cried the chief Of
the ambassadors. "Montezuma. our
master. has ordered that kindness be
shown to you as his friends. and If
what you say is true he will punish his
disobedient people
Il am glad to hear that" Cortez re-
Piled Il felt certain that your mas
ter knew nothing Of the plot As to
the punishment, we will spare him the
trouble of tnficting IL. for II is our in
tenuon. as you win see, to attend 10
that ourselves. and no doubt he Will
be grateful to us for itr'
He is not deceived" Nam whispered
10 Ital, but he Is making a pretense
of believing us for reasons OF his own.
How did he ever md Out?''
BY the direction CT Cortez the am
bassadors were conducted to one corner
OF the square, in a position where they
could not be seen from outside. As
they took up their station under guard
of-sOme Of the white men. who scowled
at them, the soldiers from the city who
had been sent 10 help the strangers
move the heavy death tubes entered the
square. They came forward into the
open space that had been left in the
carried weapons with which they were
TO aid in slaying the strangers when
the signal was given Hardly had they
gathered before the ranks OF the white
soldiers closed in behind them
The shrill sound of trumpet was
heard and then the Mortified ambassa-
doris saw the lightning and heard the
thunder from the small death tubes
which the white soldiers carried IN
haf
the square. Hundreds of arrows and
bolts from the crossbOws rained upon
the unfortunate escort. and. worst OF
ali, the great animals that they so
much dreaded, carrying soldiers upon
their backs, trampled backward and
Forward, while their riders thrust with
their long swords
AT the outcry in the square the sol
dlers who had been waiting outside
came running through the streets to
the rescue of their comrades. but the
cannon began to roar and they fell in
heaps, faster than they could advance.
TO make their defeat complete. the
Tlasealan soldiers. who had been en-
camped outside the walls. entered the
city and attacked the rear OF the city
ranks. In short time it was all over
ana the subjects Of Montezuma who
survived had forgotten their plot IN
their wild flight for safety.
Cortez turned to the trembling am
oassadors: You may CO. he said. and
tell your master that we are followfnig
10 receive his thanks for the punis9SN
ment that we have inflicted for him
upon his rebel1ious subjects"
without word OF reply the terrified
ENJOYS, with Nam and Ital. made all
haste back to the capital TO tell the
emperor what his seal had done.
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