'Farewell, my brother,' he said with a heavy smile; 'the game we played
together is finished, and now it is time for us to rest. I thank you for
your valour and your aid.'

'Farewell, Guatemoc,' I answered. 'You are fallen, but let this comfort
you, in your fall you have found immortal fame.'

'On, on!' growled the soldiers, and I went, little thinking how Guatemoc
and I should meet again.

They took me to a canoe, and we were paddled across the lake by
Tlascalans, till at length we came to the Spanish camp. All the journey
through, my guards, though they laid no hand on me, fearing the anger
of Cortes, mocked and taunted me, asking me how I liked the ways of the
heathen, and whether I ate the flesh of the sacrifices raw or cooked;
and many another such brutal jest they made at my expense. For a while I
bore it, for I had learned to be patient from the Indians, but at last I
answered them in few words and bitter.

'Peace, cowards,' I said; 'remember that I am helpless, and that were I
before you strong and armed, either I should not live to listen to such
words, or you would not live to repeat them.'

Then they were silent, and I also was silent.

When we reached their camp I was led through it, followed by a throng of
fierce Tlascalans and others, who would have torn me limb from limb had
they not feared to do so. I saw some Spaniards also, but the most
of these were so drunk with mescal, and with joy at the tidings that
Tenoctitlan had fallen, and their labours were ended at last, that they