army of Indians—estimated at one hundred and forty-nine thousand—attacked the temple where the Spaniards were entrenched, forced an entrance and had a hand-to-hand fight with the white men. There is no doubt that the Spaniards would have been beaten had not the Tlascalan leaders disagreed among themselves. Seven days of such hard fighting was necessary to subdue the Tlascalans.
After the retreat of the natives they sent fifty of their braves with white badges to carry provisions to the Spanish camp in token of submission. It was noticed that these messengers were looking carefully about them, as if they were examining the defences of the place. The Cempoallans, understanding Indian tactics, warned Cortez, for they were sure these men were spies. A close cross-examination followed. One after another confessed at last that this visit to the camp was only part of a plot to surprise the Spaniards that night. One of their priests had said that in no other way could they get rid of these white men. They were, no doubt, children of the sun, and could be reached only when he had withdrawn his beams. The whole party had their hands cut off, and, thus cruelly maimed, they were sent back to Tlascala with the message that by night or by day, whenever they came, they would find the Spaniards ready to give them battle.
This punishment—so much worse than death to the Tlascalan warrior—struck terror into all hearts. Long before the bleeding stumps could be shown to the council of Tlascala, Cortez was out upon another raid among the Indian villages. Supposing their plot would be successful, the warriors were hiding in the woods and thickets around the camp, and as soon as it was dark they began
