Moreover in front of the
temple, and between it and the stone of sacrifice, was a deep cemented
hole the size of a large room, which once had been used as a place for
the safe keeping of grain in times of famine. This pit I had caused to
be filled with water borne with great toil to the top of the pyramid,
and in the temple itself I stored a great quantity of food, so that we
had no cause to fear present death from thirst or famine.
But now we were face to face with a new trouble. Large as was the summit
of the pyramid, it would not give shelter to a half of our numbers, and
if we desired to defend it some of the multitude herded round its base
must seek refuge elsewhere. Calling the leaders of the people together,
I put the matter before them in few words, leaving them to decide what
must be done. They in turn consulted among themselves, and at length
gave me this answer: that it was agreed that all the wounded and aged
there, together with most of the children, and with them any others who
wished to go, should leave the teocalli that night, to find their way
out of the city if they could, or if not, to trust to the mercy of the
Spaniards.
I said that it was well, for death was on every side, and it mattered
little which way men turned to meet it. So they were sorted out, fifteen
hundred or more of them, and at midnight the gates of the courtyard were
thrown open, and they left.
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