as possible, burying
the dead and lighting huge bonfires in the deserted streets. The
treasure of gold and jewels found in it fell far short of the
expectation of the Spaniards, the Aztecs having probably buried their
hoards or sunk them in the lake on purpose to disappoint the avarice of
their enemies. Cortes, therefore, to his eternal disgrace, caused
Guatemozin to be tortured; but fire and cord could not wring the secret
of the treasure from this illustrious prince. In later days Cortes
hanged Guatemozin, on pretence of a conspiracy. Cortes, having no
further need for his native allies, now dismissed them with presents
and flattering speeches, and they departed well pleased, loaded with the
plunder of the Mexican houses, which was despised by the Spanish
soldiers. Great was the satisfaction of the conquerors at having thus
brought the long campaign successfully to an end. Cortes celebrated the
event by a banquet as sumptuous as circumstances would permit, and the
next day, at the request of Father Olmedo, the whole army took part in a
solemn service and procession in token of their thankfulness for
victory.

Thus, after a siege of nearly three months, in which the beleaguered
Mexicans showed a constancy and courage under their sufferings which is
unmatched in history, fell the renowned capital of the Aztecs, and with
its fall the story of the nation comes to an end.

The Aztec empire fell by its own sin. The constant capture of men from
neighbouring states as victims for sacrifice had caused the Aztecs to be
hated; thus Cortes obtained the aid of the Tlascalans, but for which
even his courage and energy would have been of no avail. He deserted
Marina when she ceased to be useful, and gave her as a wife to one of
his followers.

FOOTNOTE:

[28] In 1121 Bishop Eric left Iceland for Vinland, part of America
discovered by Leif the Lucky (1000-1002). Bishop Eric was heard of no
more. Can he have reached the Aztecs, and been regarded as a god?

_ADVENTURES OF BARTHOLOMEW PORTUGUES, A PIRATE_

A CERTAIN pirate, born in Portugal, and from the name of his country
called Bartholomew Portugues, was cruising from Jamaica in his boat (in
which he had only thirty men and four small guns) near the Cape de
Corrientes, in the island of Cuba. In this place he met with a great
ship bound for the Havana, well provided, with twenty great guns and
threescore and ten men, passengers and mariners. This ship he assaulted,
bu