[693] Botello, known as the Astrologer, who had made several successful predictions, had assured Cortés that a night attack would secure him the victory. Herrera, dec. ii. lib. x. cap. xi.
[694] Cortés rallied him upon his capture, and addressed him as compadre. After obtaining certain information, more was demanded. The prisoner declared that he knew nothing more. ‘Well, then, you will swing,’ said Cortés, half jestingly. The two pikemen who held the rope round his neck took this for a command, and hoisted him. Rangel rode up, however, and saved his life, but the compression of the throat troubled him for some time. dec. ii. lib. x. cap. ii.-iii. Carrasco warned him against attacking the powerful Narvaez. Vetancvrt, Teatro Ecles., pt. iii. 137; Tapia, Rel., in Icazbalceta, Col. Doc., ii. 589. Prescott says that he with ‘Spartan heroism’ remained silent, Mex., 257-8; but Prescott has evidently not understood his authorities.
[695] At a cross-road a little farther on, says Herrera.
[696] May 28th. Chimalpain, Hist. Conq., 277. Clavigero and others assume it to be the night between Saturday and Sunday, but the authorities are pretty clear in mentioning the following night.
[697] Estimated by various authorities at from twelve to nineteen pieces. Testimonio, in Cortés, Residencia, ii. 12, 168.
[698] Expressing the belief that Cortés would be foolhardy enough to attack in the morning. Tapia, Rel., in Icazbalceta, Col. Doc., ii. 589.
[699] ‘Llegamos junto á las centinelas sin que nos sintiesen, é iban huyendo é diciendo: Arma, arma!’ Id., 590. ‘Auisado Naruaez, y se estaua vistiendo vna cota: y dixo aqui ẽ le auisò, no tengays pena, y mandò tocar al arma.’ Herrera, dec. ii. lib. x. cap. iii.
[700] Bernal Diaz, Hist. Verdad., 99, calls the flies cocayos.
[701] Prescott, following Herrera, makes Cortés shout the password ‘Espíritu Santo,’ which Bernal Diaz says was given as a secret word for mutual recognition.
[702] So say all the original authorities that refer to it, except Bernal Diaz, who claims that four guns were fired, three balls passing overhead and the fourth killing three men. Cortés acknowledges no casualties from it. Tapia even intimates that no discharge took place, owing to the fact that to protect the touch-holes from rain they had been covered with wax and tiles. Confused by the sudden alarm the artillerists applied the match, forgetful of the wax, and ‘we saw that the charges failed to go off.’ Rel., in Icazbalceta, Col. Doc., ii. 590. Perhaps he would have been more correct in saying that the men were confused by the glittering bribes of Usagre. Bachiller A. Perez testifies: ‘Dixo al artillero poned fuego a estos tiros ... puso fuego e no salieron los tiros e oyo dezir este testigo que avian puesto cera en los dichos tiros.’ Cortés, Residencia, ii. 85. This implies that the wax had been smeared on by accomplices.