Hurrying to my post of outlook on the little pyramid, where Otomie
joined me, I saw that the whole people were gathered for war. So far
as the eye could reach, in square, market place, and street, they were
massed in thousands and tens of thousands. Some were armed with slings,
some with bows and arrows, others with javelins tipped with copper,
and the club set with spikes of obsidian that is called maqua, and yet
others, citizens of the poorer sort, with stakes hardened in the fire.
The bodies of some were covered with golden coats of mail and mantles of
featherwork, and their skulls protected by painted wooden helms,
crested with hair, and fashioned like the heads of pumas, snakes, or
wolves--others wore escaupils, or coats of quilted cotton, but the
most of them were naked except for a cloth about the loins. On the flat
azoteas, or roofs of houses also, and even on the top of the teocalli of
sacrifice, were bands of men whose part it was to rain missiles into the
Spanish quarters. It was a strange sight to see in that red sunrise, and
one never to be forgotten, as the light flashed from temples and palace
walls, on to the glittering feather garments and gay banners, the points
of countless spears and the armour of the Spaniards, who hurried to and
fro behind their battlements making ready their defence.

So soon as the sun was up, a priest blew a shrill note upon a shell,
which was answered by a trumpet call from the Spanish quarters. Then
with a shriek of rage the thousands of the Aztecs rushed to the attack,
and the air grew dark with missiles. Instantly a wavering line of fire
and smoke, followed by a sound as of thunder, broke from the walls of
the palace of Axa, and the charging warriors fell like autumn leaves
beneath the cannon and arquebuss balls of the Christians.

For a moment they wavered and a great groan went up to heaven, but I saw
Guatemoc spring forward, a banner in his hand, and forming up again they