again an ill-aimed cannon ball would plough through them, killing some
and wounding others, but the rest took no heed, only crying the more,
'Welcome, Tezcat, and farewell. Blessings on you, our deliverer, welcome
and farewell!'

We went slowly through the press, treading on a path of flowers, till we
came across the courtyard to the base of the pyramid. Here at the outer
gate there was a halt because of the multitude of the people, and while
we waited a warrior thrust his way through the crowd and bowed before
me. Glancing up I saw that it was Guatemoc.

'Teule,' he whispered to me, 'I leave my charge yonder,' and he nodded
towards the force who strove to break a way into the palace of Axa, 'to
bid you farewell. Doubtless we shall meet again ere long. Believe me,
Teule, I would have helped you if I could, but it cannot be. I wish
that I might change places with you. My friend, farewell. Twice you have
saved my life, but yours I cannot save.'

'Farewell, Guatemoc,' I answered 'heaven prosper you, for you are a true
man.'

Then we passed on.

At the foot of the pyramid the procession was formed, and here one of my
wives bade me adieu after weeping on my neck, though I did not weep on
hers. Now the road to the summit of the teocalli winds round and round
the pyramid, ever mounting higher as it winds, and along this road we
went in solemn state. At each turn we halted and another wife bade me a
last good-bye, or one of my instruments of music, which I did not grieve
to see the last of, or some article of my strange attire, was taken