Were it not for these unsubstantial
terrors that haunted him, the Spaniards had never won a foothold in
Tenoctitlan, and the Aztecs would have remained free for many a year to
come. But Providence willed it otherwise, and this dead and disgraced
monarch was but its instrument.
Such were the thoughts that passed through my mind as I gazed upon the
body of the great Montezuma. But Otomie, ceasing from her tears, kissed
his clay and cried aloud:
'O my father, it is well that you are dead, for none who loved you
could desire to see you live on in shame and servitude. May the gods you
worshipped give me strength to avenge you, or if they be no gods, then
may I find it in myself. I swear this, my father, that while a man is
left to me I will not cease from seeking to avenge you.'
Then taking my hand, without another word she turned and passed thence.
As will be seen, she kept her oath.
On that day and on the morrow there was fighting with the Spaniards, who
sallied out to fill up the gaps in the dykes of the causeway, a task
in which they succeeded, though with some loss. But it availed them
nothing, for so soon as their backs were turned we opened the dykes
again. It was on these days that for the first time I had experience of
war, and armed with my bow made after the English pattern, I did good
service. As it chanced, the very first arrow that I drew was on my hated
foe de Garcia, but here my common fortune pursued me, for being out of
practice, or over-anxious, I aimed too high, though the mark was an easy
one, and the shaft pierced the iron of his casque, causing him to reel
in his saddle, but doing him no further hurt.
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