'
Now I will not renew my own agonies, or awake the horror of any who may
chance to read what I have written by describing what befell me after
this. Suffice it to say that for two hours and more this devil, helped
in his task by the Tlascalans, worked his wicked will upon me. One by
one torments were administered to me with a skill and ingenuity that
cannot often have been surpassed, and when at times I fainted I was
recovered by cold water being dashed upon me and spirits poured down
my throat. And yet, I say it with some pride, during those two dreadful
hours I uttered no groan however great my sufferings, and spoke no word
good or bad.
Nor was it only bodily pain that I must bear, for all this while my
enemy mocked me with bitter words, which tormented my soul as his
instruments and hot coals tormented my body. At length he paused
exhausted, and cursed me for an obstinate pig of an Englishman, and at
that moment Cortes entered the shambles and with him Marina.
'How goes it?' he said lightly, though his face turned pale at the sight
of horror.
'The cacique of Tacuba has confessed that gold is buried in his garden,
the other two have said nothing, general,' the clerk answered, glancing
down his paper.
'Brave men, indeed!' I heard Cortes mutter to himself; then said aloud,
'Let the cacique be carried to-morrow to the garden of which he speaks,
that he may point out the gold.
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