. The true story book . had done good service at first, had been overthrown, an1 utterly confounded by the rush from the back. In the general ruin, Cortes strove by a resolute charge to give his countrymen time to rally, but it was only for a moment: they were speedily borne down by the returning rush. The general and his companions were forced to plunge into the lake once more, though with their numbers reduced this time, and Alvarado stood for an instant upon the brink, uncertain what to do. There was no time to be lost. He was a THE CONQUEST OF MONTEZUMAS EMPIRE 307 tall and powerful man. S
. The true story book . had done good service at first, had been overthrown, an1 utterly confounded by the rush from the back. In the general ruin, Cortes strove by a resolute charge to give his countrymen time to rally, but it was only for a moment: they were speedily borne down by the returning rush. The general and his companions were forced to plunge into the lake once more, though with their numbers reduced this time, and Alvarado stood for an instant upon the brink, uncertain what to do. There was no time to be lost. He was a THE CONQUEST OF MONTEZUMAS EMPIRE 307 tall and powerful man. Setting his long lance firmly on the wreckwhich strewed the lake, he gave a mighty leap which landed him insafety upon the opposite bank. Aztecs and Tlascalans looked on inamazement at this almost incredible feat, and a general shout arose. This is truly the Tonatiuh—the Child of the Sun. To this day,the place is called Alvaradoa Leap. Cortes now rode to the front, III 111 (/§ \ H^ - a - • • •. • *, - > —. where the troops were straggling miserably off the fatal fortunately, the attention of the Aztecs was diverted by therich spoil that strewed the ground, and their pursuit ceased, so thatthe Spaniards passed unmolested through the village of the Spanish commander dismounted from his weary steed,and sitting down on the steps of an Indian temple, looked mourn- x 2 308 THE CONQUEST OF MONTEZUMAS EMPIRE fully on while the broken files dragged slowly past. It was a piteousspectacle. The cavalry, many of them dismounted, were mingledwith the infantry, their shattered mail dripping with the salt ooze,and showing through its rents many a ghastly wound; their firearms,banners, baggage, artillery, everything was gone. Cortes, as helooked sadly on their thin, disordered ranks, sought in vain many afamiliar face, and missed more than one trusty comrade who hadstood by his side through all the perils of the conquest; and accus-tomed as he was to c
Size: 1511px × 1654px
Photo credit: © Reading Room 2020 / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdec, bookpublisherlondon, booksubjecthistory
