Page:About Mexico - Past and Present.djvu/229



HE end of the western causeway, where it joined the mainland, was still held by the Spaniards. Over this, in the darkness and the rain, the fugitives pushed On to the city of Tlacopan, where Cortez found them huddled together in the great square awaiting his directions.

"To the open country!" he called out. "Hasten, or the Indians will be upon us again!"

To get away from the terrible house-roofs was the general's first aim. But who knew the way out of the city? Now in the van, and now in the rear, the horsemen kept the Indians at bay until the foot-soldiers had gained possession of a large temple which stood on a hilltop outside Tlacopan. After some fighting they drove out those who held the building, and, safe for the present, kindled a blazing fire, dried their wet clothes and dressed each other's wounds.

All that night and until dark the next day the enemy gave them no rest. At midnight, guided by a friendly Indian, the Spaniards stole out, and, leaving fires burning, in order to deceive the natives, they took up their line of march for Tlascala. But a sentinel gave the alarm, and the Aztecs came rushing out like a swarm of