Roger the Bold: A Tale of the Conquest of Mexico Read online

  CHAPTER X

  Roger at Bay

  "Creep to the fire and gently throw some wood on it," whispered Roger inTamba's ear, as soon as he was sure that the enemy were coming. "Becareful that they do not see you against the light. I will wait heretill you rejoin me; and recollect, when they advance make no movementtill I give the word, or, rather, till you hear me throw one of thebricks. I shall rely on those to defeat them."

  The native went off into the darkness as if he were a ghost, andpresently, as Roger looked, he saw that the flames were licking roundthe new fuel.

  "The light will help us, while it will not show our figures," he said tohimself with a feeling of satisfaction, for it happened that one of thecorner towers threw a deep shadow where he was. "Our best defence willbe to act in silence. Our bricks ought to account for a few, and afterthat I have a method which may check them. Ah! they are coming rapidly,and Tamba will have to hurry. He is a long while away."

  A second or two later the native appeared at his side, or, rather, Rogerknew he was there, for Tamba touched his arm. He had approached inabsolute silence.

  "They are on the last terrace below," he whispered in Roger's ear. "Iheard them talking. The fire is built up, and will give a better lightin a little while. I thought it would be well to look at the prisoners.They are asleep, master. We have no need to expect treachery from them."

  "Then we shall be all the better able to defend this place. If we arerushed, we run to our new defence, while they will probably go to thechapel where the idol lies. Perhaps we might even descend during thedarkness."

  "We might, master; but there is a ring of sentries about us. I saw themas I watched. We are more secure up here than in any other place.Fortune has favoured us."

  "Hist! They are nearer. Silence, and gather your bricks."

  They leaned over the pile which they had accumulated close to the top ofthe steps, and filled an arm. Then, with one ready in their hands, and asufficient space between them to give ample room for throwing, theywaited. By now the fire had commenced to burn up a little, and theflames illuminated the top of the stairs feebly, showing the big jars ofearth. Roger watched them, and heard whispering, for the Mexicans hadalso seen the obstruction. Then a man's head squeezed between two ofthem, while his body slowly wriggled its way through the narrow opening.A second appeared at another, while a third, a venturesome fellow,clambered round the outside margin of the one which stood on the veryborder of the steps. A slip of the hand, a toppling of the jar, wouldhave sent him into space, with a fall of some hundreds of feet belowhim. Roger lifted his arm, aimed for the central man, and launched hisbrick. There was a dull thud, a shriek--more of fear than of pain--andthe Mexican withdrew. Then Tamba attempted the same, and with equalfortune, his brick glancing from the man's back and clattering down thestairs. As yet not a sound other than the shriek had come from either ofthe combatants. But now a voice was heard. Some one gave a sharp order,and at once an attempt was made to repeat the process of wrigglingthrough, while, on the side nearest to the centre of the tower, armsencircled the jar, and an effort was made to remove it. But Rogerfrustrated the attempt, a well-aimed brick crashing against one of thearms, and breaking it as if it had been a stick. Meanwhile Tamba hadpelted the others, and had caused them to withdraw.

  "They are talking again," whispered Roger, as he crouched in thedarkness. "We will remain here till they attempt to remove the jars, andthen we will use our swords. Make no noise, but cut at them with allyour strength. If they become dangerous, wait for my shout, and then dowhat I order."

  There was a lull for some few minutes, while the ever-brightening firepermitted the defenders to see that no one was at their obstruction. Butdown below an occasional dusky figure could be observed, while there wasthe dull sound of whispered conversation, and a click now and again as aclub or sword struck the masonry. Suddenly there was silence again, andRoger nudged Tamba.

  "A sure warning," he whispered. "Get your sword ready. But one second.Can they possibly reach us in any other way?"

  "It is out of the question, master. The walls are steep and smooth, andthere is no one to lower a rope. We have only the stairs to defend."

  "Then I have little fear. If I were unarmed I could hold them, I think,unless they came prepared to cut us down. That would be different."

  It would indeed have made a vast amount of difference, and would nearlycertainly have led to capture or death. But these Mexicans had a blindfaith in their war god and other deities, and groaned under a system ofsuperstition which the priests took good care to keep alive. It wouldhave been far easier, and far better for themselves, to fling themselvesagainst these foreigners with their best arms, and cut them down bysheer advantage of numbers. But their superstition taught them that asacrifice was needed, that prisoners should not be slain in battle, butmerely taken with as little hurt as possible, so that they might beafterwards offered to their idols. And now that they had a huge andstrange opponent to deal with, one who fought with his hands in a mannerwhich none had ever seen, they still adhered to their practice,determining to take him alive. It gave Roger and his comrade an enormousadvantage--an advantage which they needed, however, even though theyheld such a commanding position. For the Mexicans had the numbers. Lifewas of no consequence, and they were prepared to throw away many oftheir fighting men to attain their object. The insult to their deitieslent added desperation to their attack, and when they advanced up thestairs again it was with the determination to conquer. They found on theupper side of the barrier a young giant filled with equaldetermination, prepared to seize his enemies, and, if he were surroundedand capture imminent, to drag them all by sheer force to the edge of thetower, and there hurl himself and his captors to the court below. Yes;let the reader imagine himself in a similar predicament, and he mayrealize to some small degree the desperate valour with which Roger wasfilled, and the reckless thoughts which flowed through his mind."Anything is better than that hideous altar and the sacrifice," he toldhimself; and he prepared to act up to the thought.

  But the Mexicans were advancing, and a shout rang out from the stairsbelow. It was answered from every quarter of the city, telling thedefenders that thousands were waiting to learn the issue, and to praisetheir comrades if successful. There was movement on the towers allround, seen by the aid of the fires, while a murmur came from the courtsbelow.

  "Waiting for us," said Roger, grimly. "We will give them work to dobefore we are taken. Now, prepare."

  The shuffle of feet was heard on the bricked steps, and soon a number offigures appeared behind the jars. But on this occasion there was nowaiting. The Mexicans commenced to creep between them, while others werehoisted by their comrades and clambered over the top. They were met witha fusillade of bricks, which hardly deterred them. Then Roger and Tambasilently leapt forward from their dark nook behind the smaller tower,and fell on the enemy with the native swords. The sound of their blowscould be easily heard at first, but in a minute the air was filled withshrieks and cries, while a hoarse roar came from the streets below.Three men fell in as many seconds to their blows, while Roger contrivedto stun one of the enemy who was clambering over the obstacle, droppinghim like a stone on the very top, where he hung amidst the flowers. Butothers followed, and soon it was clear that the rush would succeed.

  "They are getting too strong for us," gasped Roger, during a shortpause. "We will try once more, and then if not successful we will upsetthe jars. When I shout, place your foot against the one before you, andpush with all your strength. It will topple over, and in the confusionwe will rush down upon them. Fists will then be better than swords, andI shall make use of mine just as I did before."

  He had hardly time for the words before the enemy came on again. Theirshouts were deafening, while there was little doubt that their couragewas increased by the clamour of their friends below. This time theyswarmed over the huge vases of flowers, and threatened to overcome thetwo defenders before they could strike them down. The time for furtheraction had
arrived even sooner than Roger had anticipated, and with ashout he gave the order.

  Cutting fiercely at the enemy, he made a path for himself, while hisfree arm clutched one of the men who was in the act of clambering over.Then his foot went up to the jar, and he threw all his weight downward.The thing toppled over, and then suddenly bounded down the steps,followed by the one which Tamba had taken in hand. But that was notsufficient. Roger moved to the third, and sent it flying. Then he threwhis sword over his shoulders, and leapt down the steps. But there wasno need for him to strike at a single Mexican, for fierce though thesemen were, and doughty fighters as they had proved themselves to be whenopposed to the Spaniards, the sight of Roger brought fear to theirminds, and his extraordinary methods of warfare astounded them. Theywere nonplussed and disheartened, and this last measure of defence cowedthem. Indeed, fortune on this dark night had been on the side of thosewho held the steps, and the very vases aided them. Toppling over, theybounded down the steps, carrying some of the men with them. But the laststruck against an edge, and fractured into pieces, the earth and theplants being shot out into the enemy. In an instant Roger picked up thelarger pieces, and flung them after the Mexicans, while Tamba raced backfor an armful of bricks, and hurled them down the steps. There was aseries of loud bangs, a chorus of shrieks, and the Mexicans were gone,their flight being accelerated by the missiles which the two abovepoured upon their heads. Indeed, once they had reached the court belowthey raced to their houses, saying that the white man, the giant who hadcome amongst them, was a god in no way less than their own deities.

  "That ends the trouble for to-night," said Roger, with a hearty laugh,for he was beginning to regain his assurance, and numbers no longertroubled him as they had done a few hours before. "We can sit down andrest, and, by the way, I think I am hungry."

  "Then I will fetch food and water, master. Sit here till I return. Iwill go to our lodgings quietly, for it will be as well to see how ourprisoners are behaving."

  He was gone like a ghost again, for this native, accustomed from hischildhood to hunting and life in the forest, and being barefooted, couldpass from one spot to another without so much as a sound. Indeed, Rogerhad already learned much from him, for he had watched his methods in theforest, when he himself was too weak to do much more than stand or sit.Tamba had an eagle-like glance, an eye which detected everything andallowed nothing to pass. Even when creeping through the underwood insearch of an enemy, he seemed to see the path at his knees as well asthe forest ahead, and, as if intuitively, felt and removed the sticksand thorns in his way. It was an easy matter, therefore, for him tocross the tiled summit of the tower, and no one heard him, not even theprisoners, though the sound of the conflict had rendered them alert.Tamba crept to the new quarters which Roger had selected, and stared incautiously. He found the noble diligently talking to the priest, and thelatter nodding. As the native entered they both looked up, and it wasplain from their innocent expressions that they had not been plotting.

  "You have been successful again?" asked the noble. "Then I am glad," headded, as Tamba nodded; "for it is as well that my countrymen shouldlearn soon that it is useless to fight with such a man. He bears acharmed life, and is truly a great lord, greater even than this Malinche(the native word for Cortes). Tell me, have many fallen, have many losttheir lives?"

  "None, I believe. We beat them back with swords and bricks. Many arehurt, but they will not die."

  "I am glad," was the simple answer; "for then the people will be all themore ready to forgive, to forget the fighting, and accept this younglord as a friend. Did they but know the use that he will be to our arms,they would long ago have welcomed him with shouts of joy. But theythought him a Spaniard, just as I did, and the priest here also, andthose we do not spare. Tell me how you met with this lord, and how it isthat you are his servant."

  Tamba hastened to tell the story, while he gathered food and took a bowlfull of water.

  "I will send my lord," he said, "and he will discuss this matter withyou. He will be glad to talk."

  A little later he appeared at Roger's side, and told him what hadoccurred.

  "They are desirous of making peace," he said, beating his hands togetherto show his delight. "The priest thinks now that you are a mighty man,even as I do, my lord. Go to them. I said that you would come and talkthis matter over. Perhaps when the morning comes our danger will havepassed, and we shall become the friends of the Mexicans."

  The news was excellent, almost too good to be true, and the relief toRoger was immense. He gulped down the food hastily, and emptied the bowlat a draught. Then he waited while Tamba went for a second supply, andhaving seen him posted at the head of the stairs, and given strictorders to him that he was to patrol round the terrace and watch everyside, he slipped off to the little chamber in which the two Mexicanswere seated, and pushed the curtain aside. Then he clambered over theforms which had been placed to barricade the door, and was in the act ofseating himself when the noble and the priest rose to their feet. Thelatter had hunted out a tiny oil lamp, and this afforded sufficientlight to show their features. Roger noticed with a thrill that thepriest no longer scowled, and rubbed his elbows, as if to remind himselfof his injuries. He made a deep obeisance, and spoke gravely.

  "He says that you are a god, and that after this he will obey yourwishes," said the noble. "He speaks the words which I also think. Surelyyou are a god, a different man from these others who have come here tohunt us for our gold, and to take us into captivity."

  "Tell him that I thank him, and am glad that he is prepared to befriendly," said Roger, simply, motioning them to be seated, while hethrew himself on a lounge on which the priest on duty was wont to rest."Say, however, that I am no god; that there is but one God, the ruler ofthe whole earth."

  The noble nodded and repeated the words, at which the priest lookedpleased. Then they chatted together for a little while.

  "It is as we thought," said the noble at length. "This Malinche has cometo us with a new religion, and holds these gods of ours in scorn. Hewould do with them as he has done with those of another race close tothe sea coast, and would force us to adopt his religion, even at thepoint of his lances. But we wait conviction, and we also have somethingof this religion; for listen, Roger." He pronounced the word in astrange accent, and looked our hero earnestly in the eyes. "We also knowthat there is one God, who cares for all, whoever they may be, but wealso believe that there are others under Him. We worship them, and offersacrifices to them because we can see their images. The idols are beforeus, while this other God is invisible. We do honour to Him through theseimages which we have put on the towers, and we also pay respect to thesun. Let these Spaniards prove that this is wrong, and we will listen totheir arguments. But we will not be forced into a belief which we do notreally feel. Let them show that these sacrifices are wrong."

  "They are detestable!" said Roger, with decision, facing the two. "Theyare undoubtedly cruel and wrong, and some of you will live to believethat. But I cannot talk of these matters. I say that I am not a god, andthat I am not a Spaniard. I came to these parts with comrades, at thebidding of a mighty king, and I hoped to obtain wealth. Yes, I admitthat we hoped to gain gold and jewels, but not by force, except from theSpaniards. They opposed us from the first, and fought us. For that weare right, if we attack them in return. As for the land, it should be afine thing for Mexico if Englishmen governed it."

  "Perhaps it will come to that, Roger, but we will speak of yourself,though in spite of your words we believe that you are some powerfullord, a noble in your own land, if not a god, who has come to aid us atthis critical time. When the morning comes we will speak to the peopleand to our king. We ask whether you will trust us to descend and meetour comrades?"

  "You can go," said Roger, promptly, for they had already proved theirintention to be faithful. "I will trust you, and will look for yourreturn. I captured you so that you might remain in my hands ashostages."

  "And we will return to you for that re
ason, my lord. We will set outwhen the sun has risen, and will come to you again before the day falls.And we will send food and water to you, and clothes to replace your own.Yes, it would be better that you should don our dress," he added, "forthen there will be nothing to remind us of these hated enemies. Ah, youwonder why I speak the tongue, and I will tell you. Perhaps I have donemy nation a service by doing so, however."

  "It has proved my salvation," answered Roger, warmly. "But how did youlearn? Tell me when you first met these Spaniards, and what hashappened."

  "Wait till the dawn comes, my lord," answered the noble; "then I willspeak. You have need of sleep, and will do well to take it. To-morrow,if my words are received, you will go to the king, and he will show youhonour. Then the people will shout and follow you to your quarters. Haveno fear. You can sleep as if you were surrounded by friends."

  Roger thanked him, and rose to rejoin Tamba. He found the latter softlypatrolling the terrace, and listened to his report.

  "Not a man to be seen except on the towers, where priests havereplenished the fires. The city is quiet, and no one else is stirring."

  "Then we will take turns to sleep," said Roger. "I am tired with thefight, and will lie down now. Wake me in two hours, and I will relieveyou. After that it will be morning, and let us hope that it will dawnbrightly for us."

  He paced round the terrace, and then, satisfied that all was quiet,stretched himself on the tiles. He was an old campaigner now, for even amatter of three months roughing it makes a man accept hardships astrifles. Roger had slept in many strange places since he sailed fromEngland, and a bed beneath the trees of the forest, or on the deck ofthe brigantine, or on these hard tiles, came as welcome to him as woulda feather mattress at home. It was therefore only a few minutes beforehis heavy breathing told that he was asleep. Nor did he move till Tambacame to his side and shook him.

  "The dawn is breaking clear and bright, my lord," he said. "It is timeto rise and take a meal."

  "But I meant to watch. I said that I would relieve you," exclaimed ourhero, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. "You were tired too. Why did younot rouse me earlier?"

  "You had done all the fighting and were worn out, master," was thesimple answer. "I am used to watching throughout the night, and the lossof sleep is nothing to me. You require your strength, and it is betterthat you should rest, better for yourself, for you are stronger tofight, and better also for me, because then you are able to protect me."

  The argument silenced Roger, though he did not forget. But it was onlyanother method by which the native showed his devotion. He was afaithful fellow, who lived to serve this humble crossbow youth, and heseemed to anticipate every want. Indeed, when Roger had risen from thetiles he found a meal of bananas and a bowl of water beside him, and inspite of the food he had taken during the night, fell upon it hungrily.Then he went to the edge of the terrace and stared out at the city ofMexico, tracing its boundaries and marking the viaducts which led to itsheart, and the aqueducts which brought clear water to the townspeople,for the lake about the walls was salt and unfit for drinking purposes.We will leave him there for a little while, for this city wassufficiently beautiful in these days to attract the eye by the hourtogether. Indeed, it was a second Venice, rivalling that magnificentcity by the water, and justly laying claim to being the finest and themost beautiful city the world could produce. Nor has a better ever beenbuilt since old Mexico disappeared.

  Let us now return to the coast for a little while and see what fortunehad befallen Fernando Cortes after he had sailed from Tabasco, bringingwith him the native woman, Marina, for that was the name given to thisslave when she was baptized by the Spaniards. The reader will rememberthat Cortes disembarked at a port to which he gave the name of St. Juande Ulua, and that there he met with a friendly reception from thenatives, and also received envoys from the great king Montezuma, rulerof the wide provinces over which the Mexicans held sway. He willrecollect also that this king sent rich gifts, while forbidding thestrangers to come nearer to his city, and that, for his own reasons,Cortes defied the order, and determined to go; for to have retired toCuba would have meant his ruin, he already having disobeyed orders. Nowhe showed the firm material of which he was made, and also displayed nosmall amount of astuteness. For it happened that tales began to filterinto the Spanish camp, telling of the huge armies of the Mexicans, andof their ferocity in warfare. These had their effect in time, and it isnot to be wondered at that some of the soldiers under Cortes began tohave fears. Not all had his reasons for not turning back. They couldcome again, and no punishment or disgrace awaited them in Cuba. And atlength the camp became broken into two factions, one of which went withtheir leader, while the other clamoured for retreat.

  Had Cortes declined to listen to these men it is possible that he wouldhave made many enemies, and that more would have urged the retreat. Buthe shewed his astuteness by hearing what they had to say and agreeing togo if they so wished. He even prepared for the embarkation, while hesecretly set his own faction to work to point out the gold and wealth tobe obtained, and to hold before the soldiers the honours they would win.The plot proved successful, so that at length the malcontents approachedhim again and urged him to remain. It is needless to tell how hedemurred as if he himself wished to leave, and how at length the craftyleader consented to march on, providing his actions were duly set downon paper for the information of those at home. He declared theconditions of the expedition altered, and had a new set of rules drawnup. Then, having shifted his base a little higher up the coast to a portto which was given the name of Vera Cruz, he stripped the ships oftheir canvas and cordage and of all that they possessed in the way ofguns and stores, and had them destroyed. He burnt his boats behind him,made escape impossible, and left death or victory alone to stare his menin the face. Never was there a more reckless or a more astute action,reckless because of his paucity of numbers and the overwhelming armiesof the enemy, and astute because there was now no turning back, therewas no retreating; the only course was a forward one, in the directionof Mexico.

  And now to tell briefly how it happened that circumstances played intothe hands of the adventurer, Fernando Cortes. It has already been toldhow the Mexicans were accustomed to battle with their neighbours withthe sole object of obtaining prisoners who would serve as a sacrifice totheir hideous deities, and how these fierce fighters entered thestruggle with the intention of killing as few as possible and ofcapturing many. Their opponents very naturally did all that was possibleto slay the Mexicans and escape. They themselves were not so addicted tothe human sacrifice as were the men of Mexico, and the fate of theprisoners naturally made them fight with ferocity. But Mexico wasstrong. She had for very many years had a triple alliance, and her twoallies were the Tezcucans and the small kingdom of Tlacopan, all at thattime situated in the valley in which the lakes lay. When first thisalliance was formed none of the three states was at all strong, andthere was another race which dominated them. But the three together,once they had settled their differences and made friends, became a verypowerful force, so much so they soon conquered this other race, andsubjected it entirely. That done, they went to war with all the otherstates in the valley--for this fertile spot was thickly populated--andsubjected their enemies, when they began to go farther afield, so muchso that Mexico claimed a kingdom stretching from Atlantic to Pacific.Her numerous vassal states paid her tribute in specie and in slaves, andhuman toll was taken of all to satisfy their morbid craving forsacrificing.

  It was at this juncture, when the taxes imposed were becoming tooburdensome, when the same melancholy was beginning to settle down uponthese remoter states, that Fernando Cortes and his ridiculously smallforce arrived, and making friends with the Cempoalans, a coast tribe oflarge proportions, advised them to refuse their usual tribute. He setthem an example by seizing Montezuma's collectors. That done hedetermined to check the abominable practice of human sacrifice, whichthe Cempoalans indulged in to a minor degree. He raided their templesand destroyed their di
vinities, and when they would have rushed to armsand attacked him, he seized their cacique and the chiefs, and threatenedto kill them if there was trouble. That pacified them, for theCempoalans were beginning to feel as much respect for this strong manwho had so unexpectedly come amongst them as they had felt for centuriesfor their gods. They fell in with his wishes, whitewashed their temples,removed all trace of sacrifice, and set up crosses. Then their ownpriests took charge of the new temples. Finally, he received the nationof Cempoalans as vassals to the king of Spain, a king whose orders,given through his governor of Cuba, he himself had directlydisregarded.

  He was now in possession of allies, and set off for Mexico. His firstmarch was to Tlascala, where he met with much opposition, and at onetime had some hundred and fifty thousand adversaries confronting him.But his horses and the superior armour of his men, together with thesupernatural power with which he and all from Spain were now accredited,aided him in defeating them, and in a little while he induced thesepeople to become his allies.

  His next march was to Cholula, far down in the valley, where he learned,by the help of Marina, that there was a plot afoot whereby twentythousand Mexicans were to fall upon his troops in the streets. Cortestook means to punish the people summarily, and no sooner had he made hispreparations, than he and his men attacked the Cholulans, and massacredvery many. It was a cruel and a severe lesson, and it helped to bringhome to all the valley the fact that a troublesome time was come, andthat the strangers were likely to prove strong. Indeed, Fernando Cortesbehaved as if he had an army of many thousands, and as if he were awarethat none could stay his march. His astuteness had gained for him hugenumbers of allies, but these were still insufficient to quell the nationof Mexicans, who would be joined by their allies. However, the Spaniarddid not falter. He had declared that he would march to Mexico, and seethis Montezuma and his riches, and march he did, right to the city,passing through many towns of larger dimensions than any to be seen inSpain, and seeing buildings and streets, the like of which he and hismen had never even imagined. Then, too, on every side there were signsof industry going hand-in-hand with this hideous sacrifice of humanbeings. Every foot of earth was carefully tilled, houses were well andsecurely built, and the tribes were governed in the most orderly manner.They had their priests, their judges, and their officers of the crown.Then, too, they had their historians, for though the Mexicans knew noalphabet, they put down their meaning by signs and pictures, and therewas a college for the training of picture writers, an art now entirelylost. In fact, Cortes had arrived in a country where dwelt a marvellouspeople, infinitely more civilized than he could have expected, andparticularly when compared with the natives of Cuba and adjacent isles.And these tribes had beautiful cities, excellent houses, an almostperfect administration, and a system of labour which provided work forall. There were no beggars, and all lived and fared well. In fact,luxuries were common throughout the land ruled over by Montezuma, whileit is reported of that monarch that he dined off fresh fish, receivedwithin twenty-four hours of the catching, from a port two hundred milesaway. It may be wondered how such a thing was possible, when no animalof any description was used for work. But the system of runners orcouriers before alluded to made the matter possible, and helped to proveto Cortes that these Mexicans were indeed a wonderful nation.

  The Spaniards entered Mexico peacefully, and were received by Montezumaand by his people with awe, for now another circumstance came to helpthem. It happened that among the superstitions of the race was oneconcerning the god of air, called Quetzalcoatl, who was supposed to bechiefly instrumental in teaching the arts of metal-working, the methodsof good government, and many other matters which aided in keeping thestate successful and prosperous. This god had disappeared; it was saidhe had gone to the coast, to the Gulf of Mexico, and had there taken hisplace in a skiff made of serpents' skins. He had sailed away, promisingto return with his descendants. Report said of him that he was tall, hada white skin and a flowing beard, with long hair over his shoulders.What wonder if this superstitious nation took Fernando for the god ofair, and received him with joy! He had shown his superiority bydisobeying the orders of Montezuma, a fact sufficient to declare him asuperior being. He was white, and if not tall, he was moderately so. Thedescription fitted the Spanish leader sufficiently well, while Mexicansuperstition and the chatter of the priests did the rest. Fernando wasreceived with joy. Thousands of richly-dressed nobles crossed theviaduct to meet him, while Montezuma even came some way to do himhonour. Quarters were assigned to the force, while their allies remainedwithin call outside the city. Cortes had accomplished his desire; he hadcome to Mexico, and we shall learn in due course how his boldness wasrewarded.