All those who had part or
parcel in the devilish murder of that holy saint Father Pedro, shall be
burned at the stake, and the eyes of all those who beheld it shall be
put out. Such of the leaders of the Otomie as the judges may select
shall be hanged publicly, among them yourself, Cousin Wingfield, and
more particularly the woman Otomie, daughter of Montezuma the late king.
For the rest, the dwellers in the City of Pines must surrender their
wealth into the treasury of the viceroy, and they themselves, men, women
and children, shall be led from the city and be distributed according to
the viceroy's pleasure upon the estates of such of the Spanish settlers
as he may select, there to learn the useful arts of husbandry and
mining. These are the conditions of surrender, and I am commanded to
say that an hour is given you in which to decide whether you accept or
reject them.'
'And if we reject them?'
'Then the Captain Bernal Diaz has orders to sack and destroy this city,
and having given it over for twelve hours to the mercy of the Tlascalans
and other faithful Indian allies, to collect those who may be left
living within it, and bring them to the city of Mexico, there to be sold
as slaves.'
'Good,' I said; 'you shall have your answer in an hour.' Now, leaving
the gate guarded, I hurried to the palace, sending messengers as I went
to summon such of the council of the city as remained alive.
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