ad to be done.

Into the mind of this Spanish soldier of fortune there leaped a bold
design. He decided upon a course of action, as amazing in its
character, so far-reaching in its result, that its conception and its
execution almost thrust him into the ranks of the demi-gods. This
project was nothing less than the seizure of the person of Montezuma in
the midst of his capital, a city of three hundred thousand people,
among whom were thousands of fierce and highly trained veteran warriors
who counted their lives as nothing in the Emperor's need. Undoubtedly
such an action was the basest of treachery, but Cortes had put himself
in such a position that the nakedness of such an action did not prevail
with him for a moment. He quieted his conscience with the {171} old
reasoning that Montezuma was a heathen, and that oaths to him were by
no means binding.

Whether he quieted his conscience or not, something was necessary. He
could not retire from Mexico after this ostensibly friendly visit.
Such a withdrawal would not have suited his purposes at all, and it was
more than possible that the moment he turned his back on the Aztec
capital, he would be forced to fight for his life against conditions
which would leave him little or no possibility of escape. It was
really Montezuma's life and liberty or Cortes' life and liberty. In
such an alternative, there was no hesitation.

VIII. The Seizure of the Emperor

Occasion was soon found for the seizure. A chief on the sea coast had
attacked and killed some of the men left at Vera Cruz. It was alleged
that this was done by the orders of Montezuma. Cortes accompanied by
the hardiest and bravest of his companions, and after a night of
prayer--singular with what good consciences they could pray for the
success of the most nefarious undertaking!--visited Montezuma, and
accused him of having instigated the crime. Montezuma denied it, and
despatched messengers to the offending cacique, directing that he be
put under close arrest and brought to the capital. This was all any
reasonable man could expect, but Cortes and his companions were not
reasonable.

In spite of the fact that the prompt action of the Aztec had deprived
them of the faintest pretext, they nevertheless at last declared to the
unhappy monarch that he must accompany them to the pueblo, which he had
assigned to them, and remain in the custody of {172} the Spaniards
until the matter had been decided. In vain