miracle of the day; for it is alleged that the virgin, and he of the dazzling white steed, both appeared fighting on the side of the Spaniards, and bringing defeat and confusion upon their assailants, as at Tabasco and Tlascala.[1]
Thus closed the first day of Alvarado's chivalrous doings, during which a large number were wounded, although there were but six killed,[2] not including allies. A portion of the quarters, with a quantity of ammunition and supplies, had been burned, and a large breach made in the wall. The brigantines were also burned, the bridges raised, and barricades erected in different parts of the city; while the supply of provisions was cut off. Even after darkness had stilled the fury of the warriors the unhappy people remained before the Spanish quarters, and with outstretched arms and dishevelled hair they lifted up their voices, crying, "You are doomed, you vile things! But for your thunder and your fortress walls, curses on them, you would now be killed and cooked. And you shall be, unless you instantly release Montezuma and depart. You shall meet with holy death, and be cooked with chilmole, and be given as food to the eagles and the beasts, for your flesh is bitter, as we have found, and not fit for men to eat. Why does not the earth swallow you alive? Oh ye gods! ye gods! unmoved all, all but the devilish gods of these devilish men.
- ↑ Which speaks little to the credit of either Mary or Santiago. Bernal Diaz, Hist. Verdad., 102. 'Otro miraglo. . . .é fué muy notorio.' 'Ya sé que los incrédulos. . . .dirán que mi ocupaçion en esto de miraglos, pues no los ví, es supérflua. . . .é yo hablo que esto é más se puede é debe creer;' for did the Indians have mysteries and miracles, surely God, the virgin, and the saints could effect greater deeds. Oviedo, iii. 511. He quotes from Livy and others concerning the reliable miracles of Roman times. Prescott and others transfer the miracles to the siege under Cortés for greater effect. Bustamante, the modern champion of the shrines of Mexico, who is ready to uphold any deed attributed to these images, is rather incredulous about miracles recorded in favor of Spanish cutthroats. See Chimalpain, Hist. Conq., i. 283 et seq. 'Si no oviéssemos miedo de esse del caballo blanco, ya vosotros estaríedes coçidos,' cried some, Oviedo, iii. 511, while the more valiant added that 'con todo esto si no soltays a Motecçumacin, y os vays luego, presto sereys muertos.' Gomara, Hist. Mex., 152.
- ↑ Cortés, Cartas, 127. Bernal Diaz, Hist. Verdad., 101-2, says seven, two having been taken alive. 'Mataron a Peña, el querido de Motezuma,. . . .Valdibia, y Juan Martin Narizes.' Herrera, dec. ii. lib. x. cap. vii.
