place where the roads had been
blocked, Cortez caused the piled-up obstacles to be removed; and
the army proceeded by the level road, where they felt confident in
their power to defend themselves, if attacked.

Upon the march Roger sometimes kept with Juan and Pedro, at other
times walked beside Malinche, who, although wholly devoted to
Cortez, had yet a warm and kindly feeling for her former friend.
Cortez himself often consulted Roger as to the roads and places
ahead, for he always received the native descriptions with some
doubt, as he could not be sure whether they were honestly given.

After passing across the plateau, the little army ascended the
steep range of hills separating it from the table land of Mexico.
The cold was sufficient to affect them seriously, after the heat of
the plains; and the difficulties of taking up the guns and their
ammunition were great. This work was principally performed by the
native allies, the Spaniards holding themselves in readiness to
repel any attack that might be made upon them, in the forest-clad
hills or in the deep defiles; but no foes showed themselves, and
they at last gained the western slopes, whence the plains of Mexico
burst into sight.

The Spaniards stood astonished--as Roger had done, on his first
journey--at the beauty of the prospect; but the sight of the
numerous cities, telling of an immense population, filled them with
uneasiness; and a clamor presently arose, that to march onward
against such overwhelming odds was nothing short of madness; and
that, having accomplished such vast things, they had done
sufficient for honor, and should now return with the spoils they
had captured to the coast.

But, as before, the enthusiasm and influence of Cortez soon
reanimated their courage. He and the other leaders went among them,
and by argument and entreaty persuaded them again to form their
ranks and press forward; and in a short time the army wound down
from the heights into the valley.

Happily for them, the ruler of Mexico was altogether dominated by
superstitious fears. Against native enemies he had shown himself a
resolute and valiant leader, had carried on numerous successful
wars, and had by force of arms greatly extended his dominions; but
against these strange white enemies, his faculties seemed
altogether to fail him. He had, for years, given himself up to the
priesthood; and in this crisis, instead of consulting with his
trusted generals, he was swaye