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
from me. At length after an hour's march, for our progress was slow, we
reached the flat top of the pyramid that is approached by a great stair,
a space larger than the area of the churchyard here at Ditchingham, and
unfenced at its lofty edge. Here on this dizzy place stood the temples
of Huitzel and of Tezcat, soaring structures of stone and wood, within
which were placed the horrid effigies of the gods, and dreadful chambers
stained with sacrifice. Here, too, were the holy fires that burned
eternally, the sacrificial stones, the implements of torment, and the
huge drum of snakes' skin, but for the rest the spot was bare. It was
bare but not empty, for on that side of it which looked towards the
Spanish quarters were stationed some hundreds of men who hurled missiles
into their camp without ceasing. On the other side also were gathered a
concourse of priests awaiting the ceremony of my death. Below the great
square, fringed round with burnt-out houses, was crowded with thousands
of people, some of them engaged in combat with the Spaniards, but the
larger part collected there to witness my murder.
Now we reached the top of the pyramid, two hours before midday,
for there were still many rites to be carried out ere the moment of
sacrifice.
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