Page:Vol 1 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/664

544 the most promising of sovereigns, and perhaps the only leader capable of giving her a longer lease of freedom in face of the irresistible onslaught of foreigners. Thus bravely worked the small-pox for Cortés and the superior civilization.

The strongest candidate for the Mexican throne was now the high-priest Quauhtemotzin, a young man of about twenty-three years, rather handsome, of fairer complexion than the average of his race, grave and dignified, as befitted a prince, and 'quite a gentleman for an Indian.' He is said to have been the son of Montezuma's sister by Itzquauhtzin, lord of Tlatelulco, the twin town or suburb of Mexico, who had been fellow-prisoner of the late emperor, and sharer in his fate. The brothers and descendants of Montezuma had been pretty well removed by death, or through the machinations of Cuitlahuatzin; but if nearer legitimate claimants cxisted, Quauhtemotzin had eclipsed them all in experience, influence, and fame, as a brave and able leader. As the chief companion of his predecessor, and one who even before the appearance of the latter had led the uprising against the Spaniards, he had become identified as a true patriot, keeping himself at the head of the dominant party which began and continued the struggle for freedom. In order further to secure his