LA NOCHE TRISTE.
JUNE 30, 1520.
THE CAPTIVE-KING DRAMA CARRIED TOO FAR—BETTER HAD THE
SPANIARDS TAKEN MONTEZUMA’S ADVICE, AND HAVE DEPARTED WHILE
OPPORTUNITY OFFERED—DIPLOMATIC VALUE OF A DEAD BODY—NECESSITY
FOR AN IMMEDIATE EVACUATION OF THE CITY—DEPARTURE FROM THE
FORT—MIDNIGHT SILENCE—THE CITY ROUSED BY A WOMAN’S CRY—THE
FUGITIVES FIERCELY ATTACKED ON ALL SIDES—MORE HORRORS.
And now what must have been the feelings of the invaders, who, like
the ancient mariner, had killed the bird that made the breeze blow!
For assuredly they were responsible for the emperor’s death. Indeed,
the direct charge of murder against Cortés has not been wanting, even
among Spanish chroniclers; but this was owing greatly to the effort
of the general to extricate the army from its desperate situation
while the enemy was supposed to be distracted by grief and engaged in
solemn obsequies. We may be sure, however, that the Spaniards did not
kill Montezuma; that they did not even desire his death; but regarded
it at this juncture as the greatest misfortune which could happen
to them.[808] For in the vast evolvings of their fast, unfathomable
destiny, they were now all like sea-gulls poised in mid-air while
following a swiftly flying ship.
It is interesting to note the manœuvring on both sides over the dead
monarch, who having ministered so faithfully to his enemies while
living, must needs continue in the service after death. The hostile
chiefs were called and informed of the sad consequences of their
outrage on the emperor. The body would be sent to them, so that they
might accord it the last honors. The leaders replied curtly that
they had now a new chief, and cared no longer for Montezuma, dead or
alive. The corpse was nevertheless carefully arrayed in fitting robes
and given in charge of two prisoners, a priest and a chief,[809]
with instructions to carry it to the Mexican camp, and explain the
circumstances of the death and the grief of the Spaniards. On appearing
outside the fort a leader motioned them back, and would probably
have used force but for the priestly character of the bearers, behind
whom the gate had been closed. A few moments later they disappeared
from view. The disrespect shown the living was not spared the dead.
As the corpse was borne through the streets jeers and insults fell
from lips which formerly kissed the ground on which the monarch had
stood. Many declared that a coward like Montezuma, who had brought
so many misfortunes on the country, was not worthy of even ordinary
burial.[810] The imperial party managed, however, to secure the body,
and, assisted by those to whom the royal blood and high priestly
character of the deceased outweighed other feelings, an honorable
though quiet cremation was accorded in the Celpalco, where Sahagun
intimates that the ashes remained.[811]
Shortly after the body had left the Spanish quarters Cortés sent a
fresh message to the Mexicans, believing that by this time the presence
of the august dead might have had its effect on them. He pointed
out the respect due to the remains of a sovereign, and proposed a
cessation of hostilities with that view, and till they had elected
a successor, one more worthy than the present leader, who had driven
them to rebel.[812] The chiefs replied that the Spaniards need trouble
themselves about nothing but their own safety. They might come forth,
they added tauntingly, to arrange a truce with their new leader, whose
heart was not so easily moulded as that of Montezuma. Respect for
the emperor, the Spaniards replied, had made them hitherto lenient
toward his people, but if they remained obstinate no further mercy
would be shown, and not one Mexican would be spared. “Two days hence
not one Spaniard will be alive!” was the retort.
Hostilities were thereupon resumed, and Cortés did not delay the
prearranged attempt to complete the capture of the approach to
Tlacopan. The presence of the imperial corpse had either a retarding
influence on the movements of the enemy, or else the Spaniards sallied
unexpectedly and fought with greater energy, for the four remaining
bridges were gained with little difficulty, and twenty horsemen passed
on to the shore, while the infantry and allies took possession of the
route, and began filling in the channels with débris, so as to form
a solid path, or to repair the bridges at the deeper places. At this
time a messenger arrived with the announcement from the chiefs who
were directing the siege of the fort that they were willing to treat
for peace. Leaving the forces in charge of Velazquez, Cortés hurried
with some horsemen to answer the welcome summons. The chiefs proposed
that if pardon was granted them for past offences they would raise
the siege, repair the bridges and causeways, and return to peaceful
intercourse. In order to arrange the conditions they demanded the
liberation of the captured high-priest. This was at once agreed to,
and after some discussion messengers were despatched to different
parts of the city, bearing orders, it was said, to stay hostilities.
It is somewhat singular that the astute Cortés should have given
such ready credence to proposals so advantageous to himself. Yet this
appears to have been the case. Delighted with the happy adjustment of
affairs, he ordered prepared a grand supper; but he had hardly seated
himself at table before tidings reached him that the Mexicans had
returned to the attack on the causeway, largely reinforced by land and
water, and were regaining the bridges taken that day. The conference
had been a ruse to throw the Spaniards off their guard, to obtain the
release of the high-priest, from whom besides much information was
expected about the condition of the besieged, and to gain time for
bringing up reinforcements.[813] Fearful that his retreat would yet
be cut off, Cortés galloped back to the causeway, threw himself on
the enemy, recovered the bridges, and was soon in hot pursuit of the
flying Mexicans. He had not proceeded far, however, when the Indians,
who had rushed for safety into the lake and the canals, were encouraged
to return to the attack and cut off the cavalry. With furious charges
they drove the guard from the bridges, and began to destroy them and
remove the filling.[814] The causeway swarmed again with foes, and
the water round it was alive with canoes, whence myriads of missiles
were directed against the horsemen as they pushed their way back.
On reaching the last causeway breach, nearest the city, the riders
feared they would be overwhelmed, for here the enemy was gathered
in masses and had destroyed the passage. Nothing was left for them
but to take to the water, midst a storm of stones and darts, while
lines of spears and javelins pressed against them from the land and
from canoes. The party was thrown in disorder, and one rider was
pitched from his saddle during the mêlée, obstructing the passage
to the rest.[815] Cortés remained the last to cover the retreat, and
single-handed now and then turned on the swarming warriors, striking
with the energy of despair. Eager to secure the great general, the
enemy pressed heavily upon him, and but for the stout armor protecting
himself and the horse he would certainly have perished. As it was, he
received two severe wounds in the knee, besides many scratches. The
last Spaniard having left the bank, Cortés rang loud his San Pedro
cry, and clearing the way he leaped his heavily laden horse across the
chasm, six feet in width, and quickly left behind him the discomfited
crowd. “Had not God helped me,” he writes, “that moment would have
been my last.” Indeed, it was already rumored in the city that he
was dead. It being found impossible to hold the causeway bridges, a
guard was left only at the others, while the remainder of the troops
returned to the fort, worn-out and demoralized.[816]
Long since it had been agreed among the Spaniards that the city must
be evacuated; time and method were the only questions. The former
of these was now resolved on by the council: it should be this very
night. It was safer to meet the issue now than later. The enemy was
hourly reinforced. Perilous indeed was the undertaking to pass with
luggage, war stores, prisoners, and women over the broken causeway
in the darkness; but to remain was death. Botello, the astrologer,
had declared for this time, and so it was determined. For Botello
was wise and prudent, knowing Latin and the stars; he had foretold
the greatness of Cortés, and had recommended his night attack on
Narvaez, and general and soldiers believed in him.[817] Had he lived
a century or two later his words might have been employed as the _vox
stellarum_ by the almanac makers. The Mexicans had said that they
would make it a time of sore distress, any attempted escape of the
intruders, a time when men must struggle, and women would pray and
weep; and if so, it were no worse for the fugitives that black night
should fling her mantle over the bloody scene.
Since the Indians were supposed to have destroyed the crossing at the
causeway channels, a portable bridge was made with which to effect
the passage. Two more would probably have been made had time and
convenience permitted, but misfortune willed it otherwise. It was
agreed that a large portion of the effects must be left behind in order
not to encumber the march, but the gold demanded special care. The
royal officials, Mejía and Ávila, were charged to secure it, and for
this purpose a number of carriers were assigned, the general giving
also one of his own mares. Their convoy was intrusted to a body of
infantry, under Alonso de Escobar.[818] The secretary, Hernandez,
and the royal notaries were called to testify that all had been
done that was possible. There still remained a large quantity of the
bulky jewels belonging to the king, besides a mass of unappropriated
treasure, which could not be intrusted to carriers, or for which no
carriers were found, and rather than leave them to the ‘Indian dogs’
Cortés announced that the soldiers might take all they wished—after
permitting his favorites the first selection. He warned them, however,
that the more they took the more their safety would be endangered.
The adherents of Cortés do not appear to have been eager to encumber
themselves, and Bernal Diaz shared this prudence in taking only four
chalchiuite stones. The men of Narvaez practised less restraint, and
many loaded themselves with the metal. Cortés was afterward charged
with having appropriated a considerable share of the wealth thus
thrown open; he certainly had funds with which to send for horses,
war material, and supplies.[819]
Sandoval was appointed to lead the van, with two hundred infantry and
twenty horsemen, assisted by Ordaz, Andrés de Tapia, and others. With
him went fifty men under Captain Magarino to carry the bridge. They
were pledged to remain at their post to the last, and were escorted
by a select body of infantry and allies. For the middle were destined
the baggage and treasure, the prisoners and the sick, under a large
escort, supervised by Cortés himself, who, with Olid, Morla, Ávila,
and other captains, and a special force of one hundred men, were to
render aid where needed. The artillery was intrusted to two hundred
and fifty Tlascaltecs and fifty soldiers, and the rear was placed in
charge of Alvarado and Velazquez, with thirty horsemen and about one
hundred adherents of Cortés, with most of the men of Narvaez. The
allied forces, of whom a number appear to have returned home during
the inaction of Montezuma’s captivity, and who had suffered greatly
during the siege, must still have numbered nearly six thousand men,
including carriers, distributed among the three divisions.[820] Among
the prisoners Cortés enumerates the legitimate son of Montezuma,
and two of his daughters, probably those bestowed on the general
in marriage, King Cacama and his younger brother and successor, and
several other high personages.[821] The sick were to be carried in
hammocks and behind riders.
* * * * *
It is the evening of the 30th of June.[822] Fiery copper has been the
sky that day; the sun blood-red and moon-like, turning day to night,
when night is so soon to be employed as day. As the hour approaches,
a fog sets in, which thickens into mist and denser moisture until,
to favor the Spaniards, providence turns it to a drizzling rain,[823]
thus to veil their movements, and make substantial the silence of the
city, the lake, the distant wood; and thereupon all join fervently
in the prayer of Father Olmedo and commend their lives to almighty God.
About midnight the order is given to march.[824] Stealthily they creep
down the temple square and reach the Tlacopan road.[825] The streets
are wholly deserted. All is quiet, save the dull rumble of tramping
soldiers. The blessed rain, or some supernatural interposition, seems
to keep the whole city within doors. And if this kind power will
but have patience and not desert them for one brief hour—ah, it is
so easy for Omnipotence to help! Along the road like a phantom the
army moves. The van picks up the guard at the canal crossings. The
causeway is almost reached. Already they begin to breathe freer; a
feeling of intense relief steals into their breasts, and—Mother of
God! what noise is that? It is the piercing outcry of a woman[826]—may
the foul fiend seize her!—breaking upon the stillness like a warning
note from the watch-tower of Avernus. On the instant the war-drum
of the Tlatelulco temple sends forth its doleful sound, chilling the
fugitives to the very heart’s core. Quickly its tones are drowned by
the nearer, shriller trumpet-blasts and shouts of warriors, echoed
and reëchoed from every quarter.
Meanwhile the advance column had reached the sixth bridge
crossing,[827] the first to connect with the causeway, and had
obliged the Mexican picket to retire, after exchanging a few shots.
The portable bridge was here laid, and the van crossed with quickened
steps, followed by the centre with the baggage and artillery. At
this juncture the enemy fell upon the rear, rending the air with
their yells, sending their missiles fast and furious, while from the
cross-roads issued a swarm, with lance and sword, on Alvarado’s flank.
Over the water resounded their cries, and canoes came crowding round
the causeway to attack the forward ranks. To add to the horrors of
the tumult, several men and horses slipped on the wet bridge and fell
into the water; others, midst heart-rending cries, were crowded over
the edge by those behind. All the rest succeeded in crossing, however,
except about one hundred soldiers. These, it is said, bewildered
by the battle cries and death shrieks, turned back to the fort, and
there held out for three days, till hunger forced them to surrender
and meet the fate of sacrificial victims at the coronation feast of
Cuitlahuatzin.[828]
The half mile of causeway extending between the first and second
breaches was now completely filled with Spaniards and allies, whose
flanks were harassed by the forces brought forward in canoes on either
side. Dark and foggy as the night was, the outline of the Indian crews
could be distinguished by the white and colored _tilmatli_ in which
many of them were clad, owing to the coldness of the air. Fearlessly
they jumped to the banks, and fought the Spaniards with lance and
javelin, retreating into the water the moment the charge was over.
Some crept up the road sides, and seizing the legs of the fugitives
endeavored to drag them into the water. So crowded were the soldiers
that they could scarcely defend themselves; aggressive movements were
out of the question.
Repeated orders had been transmitted to Magarino to hurry forward
the removal of his bridge to the second channel, and, seeing no more
soldiers on the opposite bank of the first opening, he prepared to
obey, but the structure had been so deeply imbedded in the banks from
the heavy traffic that his men labored for some time in vain to lift
it, exposed all the while to a fierce onslaught. Finally, after a
number of the devoted band had succumbed, the bridge was released,
but before it could be drawn over the causeway the enemy had borne it
down at the other end so as effectually to wreck it.[829] The loss of
the bridge was a great calamity, and was so regarded by the troops,
hemmed in as they were between two deep channels, on a causeway which
in width would hold only twenty men in a line. On all sides were
enemies thirsting for blood. Presently a rush was made for the second
channel, where the soldiers had already begun, in face of the foe, to
cross on a single beam, which had been left intact when the bridge
was destroyed. As this was an exceedingly slow process, many took
to the water, only to receive their death-blow at the hands of the
watermen. Some were taken prisoners; some sank beneath their burden
of gold; the horses found a ford on one side where the water was not
above the saddle.
The canoes, however, were as numerous here as elsewhere, and their
occupants as determined; and the horsemen had the greatest trouble
to keep their seats while resisting them. The general, being at
the head, suffered most. At one time some Indians seized him by the
legs and tried to drag him off. The footing of the horse being so
insecure, the attempt would probably have succeeded but for the prompt
aid of Antonio de Quiñones, and Texmaxahuitzin, a Tlascaltec, known
afterward as Antonio. Olid, who also came to the rescue, was almost
overpowered, but managed to free himself by means of backhanded blows
from his muscular arm. One of the cavalry, Juan de Salazar, the page
of Cortés, then took the lead to clear the way for the rest, only to
fall a victim to his zeal. The next moment his master had gained the
bank, and thereupon directed the troops by the ford.[830]
Thus in the darkness the wild roar of battle continued, the commingling
shouts and strokes of combatants falling on the distant ear as one
continuous moan. The canoes now pressed on the fugitives in greater
number at the ford than in the channel. Sandoval, with his party,
had swum the channel before the Mexicans assembled there in great
numbers, and was now leading the van down the causeway, scattering the
assailants right and left. Little regular fighting was attempted, the
Spaniards being intent on escaping and the Mexicans quickly yielding
before the cavalry, taking refuge in and round the canoes. With
greater hardihood and success, however, they harassed those on foot.
On reaching the next channel, which was the last, the fugitives found
with dismay that it was wider and deeper than the others, and with
bitter regret they saw their mistake in not bringing three portable
bridges. The enemy was here also gathering in ever increasing force, to
watch the death trap. Every effort to clear a passage was stubbornly
resisted, and, the soldiers growing more irresolute, a rider was sent
to bring Cortés. Before he arrived, however, Sandoval had already
plunged in with a number of the cavalry, followed by foot-soldiers,
who seized the opportunity to fall into the wake, by either holding
on to the trappings of the horses or striking out for themselves. The
passage was extremely difficult, and more than one horseman reeled
and fell, from the united pressure of friends and foes. Those who
followed suffered yet more, being pushed down by comrades, struck by
clubs and stones, pierced by spears, or, most horrible of all, drawn
in by dusky boatmen, who carefully guarded them for the dread stone
of sacrifice.
With five horsemen Cortés led a body of one hundred infantry to
the mainland. Accompanying this force was a number of carriers with
treasures secured by the general and his friends. Leaving the gold
in charge of Jaramillo, with orders to hold the entrance of the
causeway against assailants from the shore, Cortés returned to the
channel where Sandoval had taken a stand to keep clear the bank and
protect the passage. Tidings coming that Alvarado was in danger,
Cortés proceeded to the rear, beyond the second channel, and found
it hotly contested. His opportune arrival infused fresh courage,
as with gallant charges he relieved the troops from the terrible
pressure. He looked in vain for many comrades who had been placed
at this post, and would have gone in search of them had not Alvarado
assured him that all the living were there. He was told that the guns
reserved for the rear had for a while been directed with sweeping
effect against the ever growing masses of warriors around them; but
finally a simultaneous attack from the canoe crews on either side, and
from the land forces to the rear, impelled by their own volume, had
overwhelmed the narrow columns nearest the city, together with their
cannon, killing and capturing a large number, and throwing the rest
into the panic-stricken condition from which he had just extricated
them.
Leaving Alvarado to cover the rear as best he could, Cortés hastened
to direct the passage of the middle channel. What a sight was there!
Of all the bloody terrors of that dark, sorrowful night, this was the
most terrible! A bridge had been wanting, and behold, the bridge was
there! With dead and living fugitives the chasm on either side the
slippery beam had been filled,[831] and now the soldiers and allies
were rushing, heedless of the groans beneath them, across this gory
support, still narrow and full of gaps, to be filled by the next
tripping fugitive. Scattered pell-mell on the bank lay the baggage
and artillery, abandoned by the fleeing carriers, which, proving only
an obstruction, Cortés ordered it thrown into the channel in order
to widen the crossing.
But the end was not yet. Great as had been the woe, it was yet to be
increased at the last and wider channel. Here was indeed a yawning
abyss, having likewise a single remaining beam, whose narrow slippery
surface served rather as a snare than a support.[832] The necessarily
slow motion of the train had enabled the Mexicans to come up in swarms,
and like sharks surround the chasm. Harassed on every side, and with
an avalanche rolling against the rear, the retreating thought only
of escaping the new danger, and at once. They threw aside their arms
and treasures and plunged in, bearing one another down regardless
of any claims of friendship or humanity. And woful to hear were the
heart-rending cries from that pit of Acheron. Some begged help of
Mary and Santiago; some cursed their fate and him who had brought
them to it, while many sank with mute despair into the arms of death;
and over all roared the wild cries and insults of the Mexicans. In
strong contrast to the panic-stricken men appeared a woman, María de
Estrada, who, with shield and sword, faced the enemy like a lioness,
standing forth among the men as a leader, and astonishing friend and
foe with her prowess.[833]
Cortés did all he could, as became an able commander and valiant
soldier, to save his men. He was indefatigable in his efforts, being
everywhere present, encouraging, guiding, and protecting. Yet his
position was most trying; there were that night so many brave soldiers
given over to despair, so many ears deaf to commands and prudent
counsel. Unable to do more at the channels, he hastened to look to
those who had crossed and were proceeding in straggling bands to join
Jaramillo. Heedless of companies or officers, the soldiers had banded
in parties of a score or two, and sword in hand, where this had not
been thrown away, they were hurrying down the causeway.[834] The
assailants fell off somewhat beyond the last channel, and finding the
advance comparatively safe, guided by his soldierly impulses Cortés
again returned with a few horsemen[835] and foot-soldiers to cover
the remnant of the army. The rear, composed chiefly of the Narvaez
party, were approaching the last channel, but under the continued
onslaught panic had seized them. They made hardly an effort to defend
themselves, and like the Indians during the massacre by Alvarado they
huddled one against the other, offering their backs as a target for
unsparing attack. Among this number was the loyal and noble Velazquez
de Leon, who shared with the Tonatiuh the command of this section.
How he fell is not known, but he never crossed the last breach.[836]
Alvarado had been wounded and had lost his horse, in common with most
of his party. Finding it impossible to control the men, he gathered
a small band round him and sought the channel, leaving the rest to
look to themselves.[837] On reaching the spot he saw a confused
mass of struggling humanity in the water, but the solitary beam
which spanned it was vacant, and steadying himself with his lance he
sprang swiftly across. Narrow and slippery as was the beam, it was
no insignificant feat for a wounded man to cross upon it, but time
magnified the performance to something miraculous. When Alvarado came
to the channel, it is related, no friendly beam spanned the wide,
deep gap. His life turned on brief resolve and instant action. Lithe,
strong, and determined, even though wounded, he was not yet ready to
yield all. With a searching glance into the troubled pool and across
the awful chasm he stepped back for a preparatory spring. Then,
rushing forward, he planted the long pike upon the yielding débris
and vaulted across, to the wonder of all witnesses. The Indians, says
Camargo, prostrated themselves in admiration, and tearing up grass,
ate it, with the exclamation, “Truly, this man is the Tonatiuh!” So
runs the story, preserved by tradition, and by the name yet given to
the spot, ‘El Salto de Alvarado.’[838]
Cortés and his small band of rescuers came up as Alvarado appeared,
pike in hand and bleeding, accompanied by a few stragglers.[839] Among
these was Juan Tirado, who, in gratitude for his deliverance, erected
at this bridge after the conquest a hermitage to San Acacio, known also
as De los Mártires—martyrs to avarice, as Torquemada intimates.[840]
The badly wounded were now mounted behind the horsemen,[841] and
repelling the foes who still pressed on them, Cortés in person covered
the remnant of the army in its retreat toward Tlacopan,[842] losing
in this final struggle the gallant Captain Morla.[843] The route lay
through Popotla village or suburb; and here, according to tradition,
Cortés seated himself on a stone to weep over the misfortunes of this
Sorrowful Night.[844]
By a similar process of annealing, gold is made soft and iron hard;
so by misfortune the wise man is made wiser while the fool is hardened
in his folly.
FOOTNOTES
[808] According to the version of the rabid Duran, based
on native paintings and narratives, the bodies of the
prisoners were found in the fort after its evacuation,
that of Montezuma with five stabs in the breast. _Hist.
Ind._, MS., ii. 477-9. Acosta seems rather to favor the
story, improbable as several of its points are. _Hist.
Ind._, 524. To some extent it rests on the statement
repeated by Ixtlilxochitl, which assumes that Cacama, who
had made himself particularly obnoxious to the Spaniards,
was killed with 47 stabs before the fort was evacuated.
_Hist. Chich._, 301. A more severe account is found in a
manuscript fragment in Ramirez’ collection, written by a
Tezcucan, wherein it is related that a sword was thrust into
the intestines, ‘por la parte baxa.’ The body was thereupon
taken to the roof, as if to address the people. A stone
struck the head, and now the Spaniards proclaimed that this
had caused the death. _Soc. Mex. Geog._, _Boletin_, x. 362.
This is substantially repeated in _Ixtlilxochitl_, _Rel._,
457. A stronger testimony, however, comes from Sahagun,
who states that Cortés recommended to his followers the
murder of the prisoners in order to terrify the natives
and to assume the mastery. ‘Y lo primero que hicieron,
fue dàr Garrote à Motecuhçuma, y à Itzquauhtzin, Señor de
Tlatelolco, y à otros.’ Version in _Torquemada_, i. 498,
and in _Sahagun_, _Hist. Conq._ [ed. 1840], 113. The issue,
modified by the censor, merely states that the bodies were
found near a stone, Teoaioc, outside the fort. _Id._ [ed.
1829], 31. This account has received its chief support
in the _quasi_ admission of Torquemada; and when he, the
otherwise zealous champion of the conquerors, takes such
a view, others may be pardoned for accepting it. ‘Y que
esto aia sido asi, puede ser posible, pues para tenerse
por seguros, le avian prendido; y viendo agora, que no
bastaba la prision, vsarian de este vltimo medio, para
vèr si le aplacaban, y atemoriçaban estos Mexicanos.’ i.
498-9. Brasseur de Bourbourg accepts the version, and adds
that Montezuma was told of his fate and urged to accept
baptism. ‘On répandit aussitôt la nouvelle de sa mort comme
s’il eût expiré naturellement.’ Hence even the soldiers
did not know of the murder. _Hist. Nat. Civ._, iv. 330-1.
Bustamante, of course, adopts anything Sahagun may say
against the Spaniards; and Carbajal takes Torquemada’s view,
_Hist. Mex._, ii. 375, as does Beltrami, eager for any
sensation. _Mex._, ii. 145. Vetancurt seeks to reconcile
conflicting opinions by assuming that when Montezuma died
Itzquauhtzin and several other prisoners were murdered
and cast out together with the emperor’s body, in order to
terrify the Mexicans and occupy their attention while the
Spaniards hurried away. _Teatro Mex._, pt. iii. 142. ‘Io
non posso persuadermi,’ says Clavigero, ‘che gli Spagnuoli
si risolvessero a toglier la vita ad un Re, a cui doveano
tanti beni, e dalla cui morte non potevano aspettarsi, se
non molti mali.’ _Storia Mess._, iii. 131. Solis cannot
believe Cortés guilty of an act so bad and reckless. _Hist.
Mex._, ii. 150-1. Prescott disposes of the charge as an
‘absurdity’ and a ‘monstrous imputation.’ _Hist. Mex._, ii.
321. It must be considered, however, that the Spaniards did
seek to profit by the death; and scruples about ‘killing a
dog of an Indian,’ as they had so lately termed him, could
not have weighed with such men when their interests were
concerned; how much less when their lives were at stake?
The whole argument, then, may be said to depend on the
question whether Montezuma was more valuable as captive or
as corpse. If the people manifested little respect for the
living ruler, the Spaniards could have had no reason to
expect more for the dead. His death would only have loosened
the bond which still restrained a vast number, whether of
kindred or of mere subjects, and given the hostile leaders
fresh motives and strength for their operations. Besides,
Montezuma must have retained a great influence outside the
city, which a fugitive army would have found of service.
The recognition of this influence is shown by the efforts
made to save the imperial children, as noticed even by the
most rabid accusers of the Spaniards. It may be mentioned
that no charge is brought forward in the residencias either
against Cortés or Alvarado.
[809] Apanecatl, according to Brasseur de Bourbourg, _Hist.
Nat. Civ._, iv. 332. Bernal Diaz sends these men to carry
the news of the death, and following them were six high
personages and most of the captive priests, carrying the
body. _Hist. Verdad._, 105.
[810] Stones were thrown upon the cortege, and it was driven
from quarter to quarter. Finally Apanecatl took refuge in
the palace where Cuitlahuatzin held forth, and appealed
to him, only to be repulsed by his courtiers. The body
was nevertheless secured by a friendly party. _Manuscrit
Nahuatl_, 1576, in _Brasseur de Bourbourg_, _Hist. Nat.
Civ._, iv. 333.
[811] ‘Hicieron todas las solemnidades que solian hacer ...
Mocthecuzoma lo enterraron en México ... algunos decian
mal de Mocthecuzoma porque habia sido muy cruel.’ _Hist.
Conq._, 31. ‘Vimos q̄ hizierõ muy gran llanto, q̄ biẽ oimos
las gritas, y aullidos q̄ por èl dauan.’ _Bernal Diaz_,
_Hist. Verdad._, 105. ‘Hizieron muy gran llanto, para
enterrar al rey en Chapultepec.’ _Gomara_, _Hist. Mex._,
154. Herrera combines these two authorities in saying ‘le
deuieron de enterrar en el monte de Chapultepèque, porque
alli se oyò vn gran llanto.’ dec. ii. lib. x. cap. x. He
forgets that Chapultepec lay three miles off. Torquemada
corrects Herrera, and insists that the ‘Copalco’ was the
place. He gives specimens of the insults offered during
the cremation, i. 499. ‘Estaban indignados contra él.’
_Ixtlilxochitl_, _Hist. Chich._, 301. It has been asserted
by some, says Duran, that the ashes were scattered to the
winds, as unworthy of preservation. _Hist. Ind._, MS., ii.
479. Acosta attempts a modification by stating that the
body being contemptuously rejected, a servant burned it,
‘y puso sus cenizas dõde pudo en lugar harto desechado.’
_Hist. Ind._, 524. The burial-place has certainly not been
pointed out to posterity. According to Sahagun, the body of
Itzquauhtzin was ‘cast forth’ from the quarters, together
with that of Montezuma, and was taken in charge by his
subjects of Tlatelulco, by whom he was greatly beloved and
mourned. ubi sup. To ‘cast forth’ the bodies could have
been only a needless insult, which Cortés was too prudent
to inflict on the people.
[812] ‘Que alçassen a su primo del Monteçuma, que con
nosotros estaua, por Rey.’ _Bernal Diaz_, _Hist. Verdad._,
105. ‘Dixo Cortes ... el se queria hallar a sus honras.’
_Herrera_, dec. ii. lib. x. cap. x.
[813] Prescott, following Clavigero, assumes that the whole
was an artifice to liberate the two captive priests, one
of whom was indispensable in the event of a coronation.
_Mex._, ii. 338. Brasseur de Bourbourg supposes that the
parley was conducted by the party favorable to the Spaniards,
and duped by the stronger faction, which never intended to
adhere to the arrangement. _Hist. Nat. Civ._, 321.
[814] ‘Como los peones estaban cansados y heridos y
atemorizados; ... ninguno me siguió. A cuya causa, después
de pasadas yo las puentes ... las hallé tomadas.’ _Cortés_,
_Cartas_, 134. Where had he left his prudence?
[815] ‘Hallé á todos los de caballo que conmigo iban, caidos
en ella, y un caballo suelto.’ _Id._
[816] With a loss of over twenty men. _Bernal Diaz_, _Hist.
Verdad._, 105. This author places all the fighting on the
causeway on one day, a Thursday, the day of evacuating
Mexico, and the day following the surrender of Montezuma’s
body. Herrera, who is far more confused, has a sally on
this day in three directions, one being the Tlacopan road;
but the operations on the latter route are only partially
told, and the rest referred to the third day of the siege.
There are also several contradictions to aid in confusing
the many who follow him. _Herrera_, dec. ii. lib. x. cap.
xi. Prescott abandons himself to the guidance of Clavigero
for the occurrences of these days, but embellishes the
narrative with some incidents belonging to the siege of
Alvarado.
[817] ‘Botello ... afirmò que ... supiessen que moriria el
o su hermano, y algunos de la cõpañia, y qui se saluaria
el Capitan, y otros muchos, y ninguno si salian de dia.’
_Herrera_, dec. ii. lib. x. cap. xi. ‘Hora lo creyesen,
hora no.’ _Gomara_, _Hist. Mex._, 159. ‘Anteponendo le
vane osservazioni di quel meschino Soldato alla luce della
prudenza militare,’ is the indignant comment of Clavigero,
_Storia Mess._, iii. 135. But there is no doubt that
‘military prudence’ had more weight in the matter than
Botello’s words, and that the result was not due to his
advice. Solis casts the blame of crediting the ‘ignorant
charlatan’ Botello chiefly on the majority of the council,
to whom Cortés yielded. _Hist. Mex._, ii. 171-2. In order
to lull any suspicions among the Mexicans, says Bernal
Diaz, a leading priest and some other captives were sent
to the Mexican camp with a proposal to surrender all the
gold if the Spaniards were allowed to leave in peace eight
days later. _Hist. Verdad._, 105.
[818] _Lejalde_, _Segunda Prob._, in _Icazbalceta_, _Col.
Doc._, ii. 424. For carrying the royal treasures ‘les dió
siete cauallos heridos, y cojos, y vna yegua, y muchos Indios
Tlascaltecas, que segun dixeron, fueron mas de ochenta.’
_Bernal Diaz_, _Hist. Verdad._, 106.
[819] Bernal Diaz, for instance, states that he had hardly
taken the four chalchiuites for his share, from a collection
in a mat, when Cortés gave orders to his mayordomo to secure
it. loc. cit. His penchant for appropriating large shares
to himself is well known. Greed of gold was not now his
motive, however, but rather a prudential care to secure
means for his plans, and he could hardly neglect them when
taking so great care of the royal portion. Martyr, Gomara,
and Herrera estimate the treasure at 700,000 ducats,
chiefly in bulky jewels according to Gomara. Bernal Diaz
reckons in pesos, which may mean pesos de oro. Peter Martyr
assumes it to have been the general fund, from which the
royal fifth had been set apart only at the last moment,
but not apportioned. dec. v. cap. vi. Solis assumes that
700,000 pesos remained after the king’s portion had been
deducted. _Hist. Mex._, 174-5. One witness estimates that
over 2,000,000 pesos were lost during that night. _Cortés_,
_Residencia_, ii. 414. The _Carta del Ejército_ reduces the
loss to 400,000 pesos de oro. Another witness states that
300,000 castellanos remained when the soldiers were told
to help themselves; afterward the general compelled them
to surrender what had been thus given, only to keep it for
himself. _Cortés_, _Residencia_, i. 241-2. ‘Lo demás ... lo
dimos y repartimos por los españoles para que lo sacasen,’
says Cortés, _Cartas_, 135, which may be interpreted as
either giving or intrusting. Whatever may have been left
after the Spaniards had taken their loads was gleaned by
the allies. _Gomara_, _Hist. Mex._, 159.
[820] Bernal Diaz gives Sandoval 100 young unmarried
soldiers, with Francisco de Acevedo, the dandy, Ordaz, Tapia,
and eight or nine of Narvaez’ men, captains on his staff.
To Cortés he gives 50 men, and adds B. V. de Tapia to his
staff. _Hist. Verdad._, 105. This author is contradictory,
however. Herrera places Antonio de Quiñones as Sandoval’s
chief aid, and Olid and Ordaz in the rear. dec. ii. lib. x.
cap. xi.; _Gomara_, _Hist. Mex._, 160; _Cortés_, _Cartas_,
134; _Ramirez_, _Proceso contra Alvarado_, 30 et seq.
[821] Herrera adds a brother of Montezuma, and Sahagun names
two sons. _Hist. Conq._, 33. So does Vetancurt, although he
assumes that one was saved. _Teatro Mex._, pt. iii. 142-3.
Ixtlilxochitl gives a longer list, including two sons of
Montezuma, and two sons and four daughters of Nezahualpilli,
of Tezcuco. One of the daughters escaped, but it was not
the beloved of Cortés, who had been baptized and named
Juana. Cacama is not included in the list, because he is
assumed to have been stabbed to death before the fort was
evacuated. _Hist. Chich._, 302; _Relaciones_, 390. With
the prisoners’ division went Marina, the interpreter, the
Tlascaltec princesses Luisa and Elvira, and some other
women, protected, says Bernal Diaz, by 30 soldiers and 300
Tlascaltecs.
[822] This date is based on Cortés’ letter, wherein he places
the arrival on Tlascala’s border on Sunday, July 8th, after
giving a clear account of the intermediate days. Any doubt
about this date is removed by the testimony in _Lejalde_,
_Segunda Probanza_, in _Icazbalceta_, _Col. Doc._, i. 423,
wherein the leading captains state that the siege lasted
six days. This testimony also clears up the only doubtful
point in Cortés’ account of the siege operations, where
he disposes of the wounding and death of Montezuma in one
sentence, and then resumes the description of the fighting
in a manner that has assisted to mislead Gomara and many
others into extending the stay in Mexico till July 10th.
Ixtlilxochitl adopts this date, yet in the _Relaciones_, 390,
412-13, he states that the siege lasted only seven days.
Bernal Diaz places the eve of the departure on a Thursday,
July 10th [with Cortés it is Saturday], yet he dates the
battle of Otumba just one week later than Cortés. _Hist.
Verdad._, 105, 108. This latter date induces Zamacois to
change the date of flight to July 8th. _Hist. Méj._, iii.
406-7. ‘La notte del 1 Luglio,’ says Clavigero, _Storia
Mess._, iii. 135, but his reasons for the date are wrong,
and the term he uses may apply also to the night following
that adopted in the text.
[823] The Spaniards recognized this as a favoring shield
direct from God, says Duran, _Hist. Ind._, MS., ii. 473-4.
[824] Ojeda was instructed to see that no somnolent or sick
person was left. He found one man asleep on the roof and
roused him. _Herrera_, dec. ii. lib. x. cap. xi. Gomara
takes the trouble to deny the statement of Cano that 270
men, ignorant of Cortés’ departure, were left behind to
perish. _Oviedo_, iii. 551. A later note will explain the
cause of this rumor.
[825] The ravaging sallies of the preceding days, which
had involved the destruction of houses in the vicinity and
along the approaches to Tlacopan, had evidently obliged
the enemy to retire from these streets and seek shelter
elsewhere for the night. Oviedo assumes that Cortés led
the way, but Diaz and Herrera let him advance only when
the first troops are guided into Tlacopan.
[826] ‘Pasaron cuatro acequias, y antes que pasasen las
demas salió vna muger á tomar agua y viólos.’ _Sahagun_,
_Hist. Conq._, 32. ‘A devil, without doubt,’ adds Camargo,
who describes her as a keeper of an eating-house, and
indicates exactly the location of her house. _Hist. Tlax._,
167. Cortés states that the alarm was given by the guard at
the first breach held by the Mexicans, where the portable
bridge was laid down. _Cartas_, 136.
[827] Sahagun names this Mictlantonco, and the next two
Tlantecayocan and Petlacalco. In another place he names
the first Tecpantzinco, and the second or third Tolteacali.
_Hist. Conq._, loc. cit., and [ed. 1840] 121-2. Torquemada
gives the second breach of the causeway the latter
name. The names should probably be written Tecpantzinco,
Tolteca-Acalulco, and Petlacalco.
[828] This native rumor, as recorded in the manuscripts
used by Duran, _Hist. Ind._, MS., ii. 476-7, is probably
the foundation for Cano’s statement, that Cortés abandoned
270 men in the fort. Herrera reduces them to 100. ‘Que se
boluieron a la torre del templo, adonde se hizieron fuertes
tres dias.’ dec. ii. lib. x. cap. xii.
[829] Bernal Diaz, _Hist. Verdad._, 106, assumes that the
enemy bore it down before the baggage train had crossed, and
that the channel was filled in consequence with artillery,
baggage, and dead bodies. Gomara gets the bridge across
the second breach. Both must be mistaken, however.
[830] Camargo relates the incidents of the passage in detail,
and says that Cortés fell into a hole as the enemy pounced
upon him. The two deliverers disputed the honor of having
rescued the general. _Hist. Tlax._, 169.
[831] ‘El foso se hinchó hasta arriba; ... y los de la
retroguardia pasaron sobre los muertos. Los españoles
que aquí quedaron muertos fueron trescientos, y de los
tlaxcaltecas y otros indios amigos fueron mas de dos mil.’
_Sahagun_, _Hist. Conq._ (ed. 1840), 122.
[832] _Ramirez_, _Proceso contra Alvarado_, 4, 53, 68.
[833] ‘Casò esta Señora, con Pedro Sanchez Farfan [who
seized Narvaez], y dieronle en Encomienda el Pueblo de
Tetela.’ She married a second time, and died in Puebla.
_Torquemada_, i. 504.
[834] Bernal Diaz formed one of a band of 50, who were
repeatedly attacked with arms and midst insults. He quotes
some of the low expressions used. _Hist. Verdad._, 106.
[835] One authority states that Cortés was nearing Tlacopan,
when Olid and others called out to him that the fugitives
were accusing the captains of abandoning them, and urged that
they should turn back. ‘It is a miracle to have escaped,’
was his reply, ‘and fewer will be left if we return.’ Saying
this he headed a dozen horsemen and a few foot-soldiers
and galloped back. _Bernal Diaz_, _Hist. Verdad._, 106.
But Cortés was not the man to wait in such a case till
entreaty came. ‘Yo con tres ó cuatro de caballo,’ he says,
‘y hasta veinte peones, que osaron quedar conmigo, me fuí
en la rezaga.’ _Cartas_, 135. He takes the palm from all
American conquerors, exclaims Oviedo, iii. 326.
[836] Zamacois makes atonement for a lack of research by
inventing doughty deeds for this hero. _Hist. Méj._, iii.
417-18.
[837] Among the soldiers contributed in later times by
Garay’s expedition was one Ocampo, who, fond of scandal
and pasquinades, libelled many of the captains, among them
Alvarado, declaring that he had left Velazquez with over
200 men to die. _Bernal Diaz_, _Hist. Verdad._, 106-7. The
charge came forward in the residencia, but Alvarado brought
witnesses to prove that he had lost all control over the
men, and could do nothing else than to save himself, wounded
and unhorsed as he was. There were other witnesses who did
all they could to blacken his fame, and to attribute to his
neglect of duty a great portion of the loss sustained during
that sad night. _Ramirez_, _Proceso_, 4, 38, 53, 68, and
288. Ramirez decides against the accused. But Alvarado was
admittedly brave, recklessly so, and it must be regarded
rather as his misfortune that a panic seized the men.
Perhaps, as commander intrusted with this section, he should
have remained longer at his post. This signified death,
and such men as then comprised his command he regarded as
hardly worth dying for. He chose to save life at the expense
of a blemish on his honor. More it never amounted to, for
the court absolved him. He redeemed the fault afterward by
brave achievements.
[838] Camargo intimates that several Tlascalan chiefs of the
expedition testified to the feat. _Hist. Tlax._, 168; and
Gomara adds that several followers tried to imitate it, but
failed, and were drowned. _Hist. Mex._, 160. Contradictory
as Bernal Diaz is about the incidents of the night, he
strenuously insists that the channel was examined during the
following siege and found to be too wide and too deep to
allow of such a leap. _Hist. Verdad._, 107. This solitary
denial of a story which has been adopted by almost every
writer, from Oviedo to Prescott, finds support in testimony
during the hero’s residencia, wherein it is distinctly
stated that he crossed the channel on a fixed beam. His
own testimony gives assent to the charge so formulated,
although hitherto he had no doubt allowed the other version
to be believed. _Ramirez_, _Proceso_, 4, 53, 68 et seq.
[839] Seven Spaniards and eight Tlascaltecs, all badly
wounded. _Bernal Diaz_, _Hist. Verdad._, 106.
[840] ‘Durò poco este nombre, pues tampoco les convenia à
los muertos, que iban cargados de Oro.’ _Monarq. Ind._, i.
504. Zamacois describes the site as he found it not long
ago. _Hist. Méj._, iii. 421-3. Bernal Diaz implies that
the ‘martyr’ name was given in honor of those captured and
sacrificed during the siege, a year later. _Hist. Verdad._,
153.
[841] Alvarado was taken on Gamboa’s horse, Laso on
Sandoval’s. _Ramirez_, _Proceso contra Alvarado_, 69, 119.
[842] Alvarado said that only the dead remained behind, but
Olid insisted that a number were still fighting the enemy.
Cortés accordingly went back again and rescued several more.
_Castañeda_, in _Id._, 44. Bernal Diaz also states that
Cortés returned as far as the bridges. _Hist. Verdad._, 106.
[843] The same who sprang into the sea, off Yucatan, to
replace the rudder of his vessel, unshipped during the storm.
[844] La Noche Triste, as it has ever since been called. Amid
so much that is romantic the tendency to further romance is
often uncontrollable. The truth of this statement is open to
grave doubts. ‘Llegó [Alvarado] á Cortés, que estaba ençima
de unas gradas de un qü, sentado diçiendo muchas lástimas.’
_Oviedo_, iii. 514. Zamacois describes the enormous tree,
yet standing, which shaded the stone and bears the name
of ‘_Arbol de la Noche Triste_.’ _Hist. Méj._, iii. 424.
Prescott improves the occasion by allowing the army to file
past in sad dilapidation, regardless of the fact that the
army was already gathered in Tlacopan. _Mex._, ii. 371-2.
Testimony confirms the statement of Cortés that ‘fuí en la
rezaga, peleando con los indios hasta llegar á una ciudad
que se dice Tacuba’ [Tlacopan]. _Cartas_, 135-6.