"THE TREE OF THE NOCHE TRISTE."
The other historical cypress-tree stands on a village green about three miles from the city of Mexico. Until nine years ago it was a noble tree, but one night a party of Indians kindled a fire which burned out the entire centre of the immense trunk, and left it only a scorched wreck of its former splendor. Many of its branches are still adorned with feathery foliage, and it is draped with hanging gray moss, similar to that which grows on many trees in the Southern United States, which gives it a venerable and hoary appearance suited to its great age. It is called "The Tree of the Noche Triste," meaning the sad night. To understand its name, we must follow the adventures of Cortez and his men after their arrival at the city of Mexico.
Montezuma, although very suspicious of these white-faced strangers who came riding on horses, which were animals unknown to the Aztecs, and bringing with them great cannon which made a noise like thunder, received them kindly, and gave splendid banquets in their honor.
But Cortez had not come to Mexico to live in luxury, but to gain possession of the country, and the horrible human sacrifices which he daily witnessed strengthened his resolution to break down the Aztec power at any cost, and to establish the government and religion of Spain. The task was difficult, for he was alone in a strange land, with only a handful of men at his command. His first attempt ended in disaster. He succeeded in seizing the person of Montezuma, the King, but the Mexicans rebelled against the rule of the Spanish soldiery. In one of the battles Montezuma was killed, which only increased the fury of the Mexicans against the strangers with white faces. After losing many of his men, Cortez finally decided to retreat from the city. It was a dark rainy night in the summer of 1520 when with the remnant of his army he passed out over one of the great causeways, closely pursued by the furious Mexicans, who fired showers of sharply pointed arrows after him. When at last he found himself in the open country, free from his enemies, who had returned to their strongholds, Cortez sat down under the great cypress-tree to rest. For the first time his heart failed him, and all alone, in the dark stormy night, the stern warrior shed bitter tears. And to this day the tree preserves the memory of that sad hour in the name by which it is known.
The determination of Cortez to conquer Mexico became stronger than ever after this bitter defeat. He immediately set to work to re-enforce his army by making friends with tribes who had suffered oppression from the powerful Aztecs. Fresh troops also arrived from Spain, and in a year after the sad night, Cortez saw conquered Mexico at his feet, and its great cities in the hands of Spanish soldiers. The temples stained with the blood of so many unfortunate victims were overthrown, and in their places churches were built, with towers bearing the sign of the cross. Idolatry and human sacrifice on Mexican soil were ended forever.
FEEDING HIS PETS.