succeeded, for the Indians could not withstand the shock of horsemen any more than their naked skins could turn the Spaniards’ steel.  Presently scores of houses were in flames, and thick columns of smoke rolled up like those that float from the mouth of Popo.  But many of those who rode and ran from the gates of Axa did not come back thither, for the Aztecs clung to the legs of the horses and dragged their riders away living.  That very day these captives were sacrificed on the altar of Huitzel, and in the sight of their comrades, and with them a horse was offered up, which had been taken alive, and was borne and dragged with infinite labour up the steep sides of the pyramid.  Indeed never had the sacrifices been so many as during these days of combat.  All day long the altars ran red, and all day long the cries of the victims rang in my ears, as the maddened priests went about their work.  For thus they thought to please the gods who should give them victory over the Teules.

Even at night the sacrifices continued by the light of the sacred fires, that from below gave those who wrought them the appearance of devils flitting through the flames of hell, and inflicting its torments on the damned, much as they are depicted in the ‘Doom’ painting of the resurrection of the dead that is over the chancel arch in this church of Ditchingham.  And hour by hour through the darkness, a voice called out threats and warnings to the Spaniards, saying, ’Huitzel is hungry for your blood, ye Teules, ye shall surely follow where ye have seen your fellows go:  the cages are ready, the knives are sharp, and the irons are hot for the torture.  Prepare, ye Teules, for though ye slay many, ye cannot escape.’

Thus the struggle went on day after day, till thousands of the Aztecs were dead, and the Spaniards were well nigh worn out with hunger, war, and wounds, for they could not rest a single hour.  At length one morning, when the assault was at its hottest, Montezuma himself appeared upon the central tower of the palace, clad in splendid robes and wearing the diadem.  Before him stood heralds bearing golden wands, and about him were the nobles who attended him in his captivity, and a guard of Spaniards.  He stretched out his hand, and suddenly the fighting was stayed and a silence fell upon the place, even the wounded ceased from their groaning.  Then he addressed the multitude.  What he said I was too far off to hear, though I learned its purport afterwards.  He prayed his people to cease from war, for the Spaniards were his friends and guests and would presently leave the city of Tenoctitlan.  When these cowardly words had passed his lips, a fury took his subjects, who for long years had worshipped him as a god, and a shriek rent the air that seemed to say two words only: 

‘Woman!  Traitor!’

Then I saw an arrow rush upwards and strike the emperor, and after the arrow a shower of stones, so that he fell down there upon the tower roof.