[703] With from 40 to 100 men, are the different estimates.
[704] ‘Vinien los contrarios á nuestra gente, creyendo que eran de los suyos, á preguntar, “¿qué es esto?” é así los prendien.’ Tapia, Rel., in Icazbalceta, Col. Doc., ii. 590. ‘De las otras dos torres ... no le acudierõ, porq̄ dizen algunos que se hizieron sordos, otros que no pudieron llegar, por el impedimento de las tropas de Cortes.’ Herrera, dec. ii. lib. x. cap. iii.; Cardona, in Cortés, Residencia, i. 181-2.
[705] ‘Uitoria, vitoria por los del nõbre del Espíritu Sãto, q muerto es Narvaez!’ Bernal Diaz, Hist. Verdad., 98. Even this authority now shouts forth the password!
[706] Solis assumes that Farfan gave also the thrust. Bernal Diaz’ text leads one to suppose that Narvaez received the thrust before his followers were driven into the building, but the other authorities state clearly: ‘al salir de su camara, le dieron vn picaço.... Echaronle luego mano.’ Gomara, Hist. Mex., 147; Oviedo, iii. 510. Monjaras states that Narvaez supplicated for his life: ‘Hidalgos, por amor de Dios no me mateys!’ Testimonio, in Cortés, Residencia, ii. 51, 85, 107; i. 365. ‘Alonso Dávila le sacó dichas provisiones reales de V. M. del seno, teniéndolo preso é abrazado el dicho Pero Sanchez Farfán.’ Demanda de Ceballos, in Icazbalceta, Col. Doc., i. 442. This occurred some time after the capture. Narvaez called upon his fellow-prisoners to witness the deed, but Ávila shouted that the papers were merely letters. They were given to Cortés. ‘Las avian quemado.’ Testimonio, in Cortés, Residencia, i. 345, 365, 250; ii. 52, 187.
[707] He died, however, says Bernal Diaz, Hist. Verdad., 99. Herrera calls him Diego de Rojas, whom Bernal classes as a captain.
[708] ‘Se retrajeron á una torre alta de un ídolo de aquel pueblo casi cuatrocientos hombres, é muchos de los de caballo ... salieron al campo.’ Tapia, Rel., in Icazbalceta, Col. Doc., 590. Herrera says that 300 intrenched themselves till the morning. dec. ii. lib. x. cap. iv. Cortés reached the battery just in time to prevent a catastrophe, as Tapia relates. A hot-blooded young companion of the latter, carried away by excitement, rushed to powder barrels, eight in number, and shouted, ‘Let us fire the powder and spoil it for the enemy!’ Cleaving a barrel, he cast a brand into it, and threw himself flat upon the ground, commending his life to God. It happened, fortunately, that this barrel contained sandals, which by some mistake had been mixed up with the ammunition. After waiting in vain a while for the explosion, the madcap discovered the reason and began to open another barrel. At this moment Cortés came up, and learning of his intention he rushed forward and snatched away the brand.
[709] Including also Juan Yuste, Juan Bono, and Gomara.
[710] Oviedo, iii. 510. Bernal Diaz lengthens Cortés’ reply: He thanked God for the victory and for giving him such valiant gentlemen and companions to aid him. One of the smallest things he had done in New Spain was to secure and defeat him; it appeared more daring to seize an oidor of his majesty. Las Casas relates that Narvaez had a not dissimilar surprise by night from Cuban Indians, during his campaign for Velazquez, and had a narrow escape. Hist. Ind., iv. 6-8.
CHAPTER XXII.
ALVARADO’S MERCILESS MASSACRE.
May, 1520.
After the Battle—Victory Made Secure—Conduct of the Conquered—A General Amnesty—Disposition of the Forces—Affairs at the Capital—Insurrection Threatened—The Spaniards Hold a Council—Alvarado’s Resolve—The Great Day of the Feast—The Spaniards Proceed to the Temple—The Grand Display there Witnessed—The Attack of the Spaniards—Horrors upon Horrors.