Indeed had it not been for his golden cuirass and helm Guatemoc
would never have lived to be emperor of Anahuac, and perhaps it might
have been better so.
Now when they saw the puma snarling and tearing at the person of their
prince, though brave men enough, the three nobles who were with us were
seized by sudden panic and ran, thinking him dead. But I did not run,
though I should have been glad enough to do so. At my side hung one of
the Indian weapons that serve them instead of swords, a club of wood set
on both sides with spikes of obsidian, like the teeth in the bill of a
swordfish. Snatching it from its loop I gave the puma battle, striking a
blow upon his head that rolled him over and caused the blood to pour.
In a moment he was up and at me roaring with rage. Whirling the wooden
sword with both hands I smote him in mid air, the blow passing between
his open paws and catching him full on the snout and head. So hard was
this stroke that my weapon was shattered, still it did not stop the
puma. In a second I was cast to the earth with a great shock, and the
brute was on me tearing and biting at my chest and neck. It was well for
me at that moment that I wore a garment of quilted cotton, otherwise
I must have been ripped open, and even with this covering I was sadly
torn, and to this day I bear the marks of the beast's claws upon my
body.
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