HISTORY OF MEXICO. 405 



multitude of arrows, to check the oppofition made by 

 the befieged, while fome of the befiegers pulhed fo flre- 

 nuoufly forward, that, in fpite of the artillery and muf- 

 kets, they got within the quarters, and began to fight 

 man to man with the Spaniards, who, thinking them- 

 felves now almoft vanquifhed and overpowered by the 

 multitude, fought with defperation. Montezuma, ob- 

 ferving this moment of the conflict, and his own imme- 

 diate danger, refolved to let himfelf be feen, in order 

 to reftrain by his prefence and his voice the fury of his 

 fubjecls. Having for this purpofe put on the royal en- 

 figns, and attended by fome of his minifters and two 

 hundred Spaniards, he mounted on a terrace and mew- 

 ed himfelf to the people, his minifters making a fignal 

 for filence, that they might hear the voice of their fove- 

 reign. At the light of the king the aflault ceafed, all 

 were mute, and fome in reverence kneeled down. He 

 fpoke in an audible voice, and addreffed them to the fol- 

 lowing effect : " If the motive which induces you to 

 " take arms againfl: thofe ftrangers is your zeal for my 

 " liberty, I thank you for the love and fidelity you fliew 

 " me ; but you deceive yourfelves in thinking me a pri- 

 " foner, for it is in my own option to leave this palace 

 " of my late father, and return to my own, whenever 

 " I choofe it. If your refentment is caufed by their Hay 

 " in this court, I acquaint you that they have given me 

 " affurance, and I allure you, that they will depart as 

 ^ foon as you will lay down your arms. Quiet therefore 

 rt your emotions ; let your fidelity to me appear in this, 

 " unlefs what I have heard is true, that you have fworn 

 " to another that obedience which you owe to me ; 

 ff which I cannot believe, nor can you ever do, without 

 P drawing the vengeance of heaven down upon you/' 



The 



