Page:The Mastering of Mexico.djvu/355

Rh and other places have been marked on the face with a red-hot Iron. Consider what the gods have promised. Put no trust in Malinche and his fine words. Better to die sword In hand in this city than to see ourselves slaves and tortured for gold."

To this speech the priests added at once that three nights in succession they had sacrificed to their gods, who had promised victory. "If you will have it," answered Guatemoc sorrowfully. "Make the most of the maize and other food, and we will die fighting. From this moment let no man be rash enough to ask for peace. Him I will kill with my own hand." After this the Mexicans arranged with people of other towns to bring water in canoes by night, and they dug wells in Mexico.

Cortes and all of us held from fighting two days, waiting for the answer of Guatemoc, when all of a sudden great masses of warriors fell on our camps with lionlike ferocity, and as if confident of defeating us. While they were making the attack the impelling horn of Guatemoc sounded, and then, in the mad fervor which it excited in them, they fairly ran upon the points of our lances and swords. "Why does Malinche go asking for peace?" they cried. "Our gods have promised us victory. We have plenty of food and water. Not one of you will leave here alive. Talk peace no more. Peace parley is for women; arms are for men." When they had