ro de Alvarado, called from his fair hair, Tonatiuh,
or the {175} child of the sun. Committing the care of Montezuma to
this cavalier and bidding him watch over him and guard him with his
life, as the safety of all depended upon him, Cortes with some two
hundred and fifty men made a dash for the coast. It was two hundred
and fifty against five times that number, but with the two hundred and
fifty was a man whose mere presence equalized conditions, while with
the twelve hundred and fifty was another whose braggart foolishness
diminished their superiority until, in the end, it really amounted to
nothing!

Cortes actually surprised Narvaez in the town in which he had taken
refuge and seized him after an attack--a night surprise of bold and
audacious conception--by the two hundred and fifty against the twelve
hundred which was completely successful. With Narvaez in Cortes's
hands all opposition ceased on the part of the men. In one swoop
Narvaez lost power, position and one eye, which had been knocked out
during the contest, and Cortes found his following reinforced by so
great a number and quality that he had never dreamed of such a thing.

"You are, indeed, fortunate," said Narvaez to his conqueror, "in having
captured me."

"It is," said Cortes carelessly, "the least of the things I have done
in Mexico!"

While affairs were thus progressing favorably on the coast, the
smouldering rebellion had at last broken out in Mexico, and Cortes
received a message from Alvarado, bidding him return with all possible
speed. There was not a braver soldier, a fiercer fighter, or a more
resolute man in the following of Cortes than Pedro de Alvarado. When
that has been said, however, practically all has been said that can be
said in {176} his favor. He was a rash, impetuous, reckless,
head-long, tactless, unscrupulous man, and brutal and cruel to a high
degree.

His suspicions that the Aztecs, led by Montezuma, were conspiring to
overwhelm his small force were aroused. It is probable that there was
some truth in his apprehensions, although he could not point to
anything very definite upon which to base them. He knew of but one way
to deal with such a situation--by brute force. He waited until the
great May Festival of the Aztecs was being held, and then fell upon
them in the midst of their joyous play and slew six hundred, including
many of the noblest chiefs of the land. The outbreak was instant and
universal. The hous