Mexico and Guatimala (Volume 25-26) (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1825. Excerpt: ... on the tops of the temples and houses; and that the fatal hour was now at hand. Scarcely had Cortes received this intelligence, when two of the Tlascalans, who had found means to enter the city in disguise, brought word from their chiefs, that they had observed the women and children retiring by night into the neighbouring villages, and that ten children had been sacrificed in the chief temple; a rite which certainly indicated the approaching execution of some military enterprise. Not a moment was to be lost. Cortes se. cretly arrested three of the chief priests, from whom he extorted a confession which confirmed this intelligence. Orders were then given to the Tlascalans to draw near the city by day-break, and at the first discharge of firearms, to enter it with all speed. The Spaniards and the Zempoallans were drawn up under arms in a large court which had been allotted for their quarters, near the centre of the town. As soon as it was day, Cortes sent for the magistrates and chief citizens, and re. proached them with their treachery. Before they could recover from their confusion, the signal being given, his troops rushed out on the Mexicans, and at the same time the Tlascalans closed with their rear. The streets were filled with carnage. The temples, in which the priests and some of the principal citizens took refuge, were set on fire, and they all perished in the flames. This scene of horror continued two days, during which the city was pillaged by the Tlascalans j and above six thousand Cholulans fell in the massacre, without the loss of a single Spaniard. " In truth," says De Solis, " it was a chastisement, rather than a victory." At length, orders were issued to put a stop to the carnage, and Cortes, commanding the magistrates and priests whom he ...