The Memoirs of the Conquistador Bernal Diaz del Castillo Vol. 2

1/25/22, 8:50 PM The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Memoirs of the Conquistador Bernal Diaz del Castillo written by himself, containing a true an…
When these three personages arrived in the presence of Quauhtemoctzinthey fulfilled their
commission with many tears and sighs. The Mexican monarch on this occasion was
surrounded by his chief officers, and atfirst appeared inclined to be angry with those who
thus presumed to come with such a message. But as he was a young man of a kind and
affable disposition, [25] he assembled all his great officers, and the mostdistinguished of his
papas, and told them that he felt inclined to putan end to the war with Malinche and his
troops. The Mexicans, hecontinued, had already tried every mode of attack, and put every
speciesof defence into practice, and had continually altered their plans ofoperation; yet,
when they thought the Spaniards vanquished, theyeach time returned with renewed vigour.
They were aware that a considerablebody of auxiliaries had recently joined their enemies;
that every town had declared against Mexico; the brigantines no longer feared the stakes
they had driven into the lake; the cavalry gallopedwithout fear through their streets, and
they were threatened with themost terrible of calamities, want of provisions and water. He
nowtherefore demanded the opinion of each person present, but more particularly of the
papas, who were acquainted with the wishes of theirgods. He desired every one fearlessly
to speak his mind, and state hisviews of the matter.
Upon this, it is said, they declared themselves to the following effect:"Great and mighty
monarch! You are our lord and master, and thesceptre you sway is in good hands. On every
occasion you have showngreat penetration and power of mind, and you have deserved a
crown,even had it not been yours by inheritance. Peace is certainly an excellentthing, but
you must remember that, from the moment these teules set foot in this country and in
Mexico, our condition has daily grownworse. Remember the many presents your uncle the
late powerful Motecusuma bestowed upon these teules, and the important services he
rendered them, and what treatment he received in return! Reflecton the fate of Cacamatzin,
the king of Tezcuco: and your uncle, howdid he end his days? What has become of your
relatives the kings ofIztapalapan, Cojohuacan, Tlacupa, and of Talatzinco? Have not even
the very sons of the great Motecusuma perished? All the gold andwealth of this great city
has vanished. Great numbers of the inhabitantsof Tepeaca, of Chalco, and even of Tezcuco,
have been led away into slavery, and have been marked in the face with a red-hot iron!
Remember, therefore, above all things, what our gods have promisedyou. Listen to their
advice, and put no trust in Malinche andhis fine words. It is better to be buried sword in
hand under the ruinsof this city than to submit to the power of those who wish to turn us
into slaves, and have prepared every species of torture for us."
[Pg 98]
This speech the papas accompanied with the assurance that the gods, a few nights ago,
while they were sacrificing to them, had promisedthe Mexicans victory.
[Pg 99]
"If," answered Quauhtemoctzin, rather sorrowfully, "these are your wishes, let them be
done! Make the most of the maise and other provisionswe have still left, and let us all die
sword in hand! Let noman presume, from this moment, to mention the word peace in my
presence! He who dares so to do I will put to death with my ownhand."
Every one present then swore that they would exert themselves unceasinglyday and night,
and sacrifice their lives in the defence of the metropolis. They likewise found means to
provide for their most pressing wants by making arrangements with the inhabitants of
Xochimilco and other townships to provide them with water; and inMexico itself new wells
were dug, from which, contrary to all expectations, they obtained drinkable water. All
hostilities had now been staid for two days in expectation of an answer from
Quauhtemoctzin;when all of a sudden our three camps were attacked by immense bodiesof
the enemy with lion-like fierceness, and with such confidence asthough they were sure of
victory. During this attack, Quauhtemoctzin's horn was sounded, and it was with great
difficulty we prevented theenemy from disordering our ranks; for the Mexicans now ran
rightupon our swords and lances, so that we were obliged to fight them footto foot.
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