Page:Vol 1 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/529

Rh galling attitude of master. The preparations made during the late fermentation required only to be perfected. More arms were made, the people were stirred by passionate appeals, warriors were enrolled, and other measures taken.

The utmost secrecy had been observed by the conspirators, but with so many confidants, actuated by race jealousy, by ties of friendship, by interest, and by one above all others,the love of woman, that the rumor was whispered in Alvarado's ear. Yet to the mistress, who in her devotion to the lover forgot her duty to home and kindred, must not be charged more than is her due. Sharpened by the remembrance of past wrongs suffered on battle-field and stone of sacrifice, the wits of the Tlascaltecs discovered evidence which their hatred failed not to magnify. Warnings were hardly required, however, to indicate that something unusual was stirring, for the demeanor of the Indians had undergone a yet more marked change. Supplies were further diminished; servants sent to market were abused and ill-treated, and insolence was shown even to the Spaniards themselves. A still more alarming sign was the discovery of an undermined wall, and after obtaining further particulars from a devoted Tezcucan chief, afterward known as Don Hernando, Alvarado resolved to inspect the adjacent temple where the chief celebration was held. Here a nunber of suspicious circumstances were noticed, which the Castilians readily wrought into threatening realities; among them several victims destined for