r's march, for our progress was slow, we
reached the flat top of the pyramid that is approached by a great stair,
a space larger than the area of the churchyard here at Ditchingham, and
unfenced at its lofty edge. Here on this dizzy place stood the temples
of Huitzel and of Tezcat, soaring structures of stone and wood, within
which were placed the horrid effigies of the gods, and dreadful chambers
stained with sacrifice. Here, too, were the holy fires that burned
eternally, the sacrificial stones, the implements of torment, and the
huge drum of snakes' skin, but for the rest the spot was bare. It was
bare but not empty, for on that side of it which looked towards the
Spanish quarters were stationed some hundreds of men who hurled missiles
into their camp without ceasing. On the other side also were gathered a
concourse of priests awaiting the ceremony of my death. Below the great
square, fringed round with burnt-out houses, was crowded with thousands
of people, some of them engaged in combat with the Spaniards, but the
larger part collected there to witness my murder.

Now we reached the top of the pyramid, two hours before midday,
for there were still many rites to be carried out ere the moment of
sacrifice. First I was led into the sanctuary of Tezcat, the god whose
name I bore. Here was his statue or idol, fashioned in black marble and
covered with golden ornaments. In the hand of this idol was a shield of
burnished gold on which its jewelled eyes were fixed, reading there,
as his priests fabled, all that passed upon the earth he had created.
Before him also was a plate of gold, which with muttered invocations the
head priest cleansed as I watched, rubbing it with his long and matted
locks. This done he held it to my lips that I might breathe on it, and
I turned faint and sick, for I knew that it was being made ready to
receive the heart which I felt beating in my breast.

Now what further ceremonies were to be carried out in this unholy place
I do not know, for at that moment a great tumult arose in the square
beneath, and I was hurried from the sanctuary by the priests. Then I
perceived this: galled to madness by the storm of missiles rained upon
them from its crest, the Spaniards were attacking the teocalli. Already
they were pouring across the courtyard in large companies, led by
Cortes himself, and with them came many hundreds of their allies the
Tlascalans. On the other hand some thousands of the Aztecs were ru