t last succeeded in wrenching away a
few stones, but dust, not water, followed. In despair they crowded into
the wooden turrets which surmounted the temple, and poured down stones,
javelins, and burning arrows upon the Spaniards as they came swarming up
the steps. But the fiery shower fell harmlessly upon the steel
head-pieces of the soldiers, and they used the blazing shafts to set
fire to the wooden towers, so that the wretched natives either perished
in the flames or threw themselves headlong from the parapet. In the fair
city, lately so peaceful and prosperous, all was confusion and
slaughter, burning and plundering. The division of spoil was greatly
simplified by the fact that the Tlascalans desired wearing-apparel and
provisions far more than gold or jewels; they also took hundreds of
prisoners, but these Cortes afterwards induced them to release. The work
of destruction had gone on for some hours before the general yielded to
the entreaties of the Cholulan chiefs who had been saved from the
massacre, and of the Mexican envoys, and called off his men, putting a
stop as well as he could to further violence. Two of the caciques were
also permitted to go to their countrymen with offers of pardon and
protection to all who would return to their obedience, and so by degrees
the tumult was appeased. Presently Cortes helped the Cholulans to choose
a successor to their principal cacique, who was among the slain, and
confidence being thus restored the people from the country round began
to flock in, the markets were again opened, and the ordinary life of the
city resumed, though the black and smouldering ruins remained to tell
the sad tale of the massacre of Cholula. This terrible vengeance made a
great impression upon the natives, and none trembled more than the
Mexican monarch upon his throne among the mountains. He felt his empire
melting away from him like a morning mist, for some of the most
important cities, overawed by the fate of Cholula, now sent envoys to
the Spanish camp tendering their allegiance, and trying to secure the
favour of the conqueror by rich gifts of gold and slaves. Again did
Montezuma seek counsel from his gods, but the answers he obtained were
far from reassuring, and he determined to send another embassy to Cortes
to declare that he had nothing to do with the conspiracy at Cholula. As
usual the envoys were charged with a splendid present of golden vessels
and ornaments, and among other things were