Roger the Bold: A Tale of the Conquest of Mexico

  CHAPTER XII

  The Spaniards lay an Ambush

  "It is peace. The Mexicans see my master as I have seen him for manyweeks now," said Tamba, suddenly, as both looked down from the summit ofthe tower upon the crowds below. "Look, my lord, they are carryingbanners and flowers, and they are coming towards this place with smilesof welcome."

  The native clapped his hands with delight, for though he had said littleup to this, and had supported Roger faithfully, yet he had sufferedtorments at the thought of the fate which had awaited them, and more atthe mention of such an end for the master who had been so kind to him.Now he eagerly acclaimed the coming of the crowd, feeling that it wouldbring friendship and a happier existence.

  "The priest and this Teotlili are ascending," he said. "Shall I go tothem?"

  "Let them come, and meet them halfway up," answered Roger. "Tell themthat I await them in all friendliness."

  The native was gone in a moment, and Roger watched him as he ran lightlydown the broad steps of the tower. Soon he met the two figures whichwere ascending, and hailed them with cries of joy. A few minutes laterthe three were on the terrace, where the priest and the noble greetedRoger with low bows as before.

  "We are come to proclaim a truce," said Teotlili, with a smiling face."Our king, nephew of Montezuma, and by name Guatemozin, follows, and hewill take you by the hand, for he, as well as the people, recognizetheir error. He will ask you for your help, and will repeat the offer Imade."

  The news was more than welcome, and for a little while our hero couldscarcely answer. For the strain had been very trying, and the issue morethan doubtful. But he had himself to thank alone, for had he notresisted as he had done, he would certainly have been dead. Hisdesperate defence of the tower had given the Mexicans time to look intothe matter, and now they were able to see in the tall white man afriend, a god indeed, who would aid them against the Spaniards. Verysoon the shrill whistles of those who led the procession could be heard,and within ten minutes some two hundred gorgeously apparelled personageswere on the terrace. The central figure was a young man, tall and calm,and possessing a face which showed friendship and gentleness. He wasdressed in a suit of glittering golden armour, and was a king in everysense of the word. Roger advanced to him, and bowed deeply.

  "Do not stoop to me, I beg," said the king in broken Spanish. "I am buta vassal of yours, and am come to beg for forgiveness, and to ask forhelp. But I speak only a little of the tongue of these enemies, andtherefore Teotlili will carry on the conversation."

  He nodded to the noble, while he advanced and took Roger's hand.

  "He says that this is a token of his good feeling and of his sorrow,"said the noble. "It is seldom that the King of Mexico comes to greet astranger, but this is a special occasion. He does honour to you withpleasure, for he feels that you are wise and strong, and have come at anopportune time. He asks whether you will help him, and whether you willbecome a cacique?"

  "Gladly," answered Roger. "Say that I will do my best to beat back theSpaniards, and that I have already met them in battle. Say, also, that Ithink that it would be well to have a meeting of all his generals, whenmatters can be fully discussed. Preparations must be made to meet thebetter arms of the enemy."

  Teotlili interpreted his words, and Guatemozin nodded. Then he spokewith decision, and the people about, all nobles by their dress, lookedpleased.

  "The king agrees, and will go now to the palace with you. You will belodged there, and will be treated as your high station demands. He asksyou to lay before him any suggestions which you may have, particularlyas to new arms, by which the enemy can be kept from close quarters. Thatis how they have succeeded hitherto. Their lances have killed before wecould come at them, while their cannon and their crossbows have slainour men at a distance which our arrows refuse to travel. In all thesematters you can help. For reward, the king bids me say that he will bepleased to do all that I related."

  "I will gladly do all, and more if possible, without reward," answeredRoger, interrupting the speaker. "But, should Mexico be taken, then Iask that men shall be given me to convey this treasure away. If we aresuccessful, and the time comes to leave, then, if the king still wishesit, I will accept a reward."

  "It shall be yours in any case," said Teotlili, emphatically; "only, thedisc must be found and brought to us. Now, let us go to the palace,where suitable clothing will be given to you."

  Guatemozin took our hero by the hand and led him down the steps, Tambafollowing closely. Then he led him through the crowds of Mexicans, whoshouted their welcomes, and strewed flowers before them. Indeed, theexcitement was tremendous. People told themselves that a happier timehad come, and that there was now some prospect of meeting the enemy. Thevery coming of this god of air would bring allies to their side. It wasa fine thing for Mexico, and the population made the most of it. Aquarter of an hour later the king and his guest entered the palace, andRoger was shown into a room which was luxuriously furnished, anddecorated with panels of the most beautiful woods.

  "Here is clothing suited to your rank," said Teotlili, pointing to acouch. "I will stay and tell you how to don the garments. This is apadded surcoat of cotton, and it will keep out many a blow. It is light,and will enable you to move freely. Over that will go this suit ofarmour, while your head will be protected with this casque of golddecked with silver feathers. My lord looks a king indeed in his newuniform. Guatemozin will be pleased."

  He stood aside and looked at Roger with the utmost approval, and it mustbe confessed that the tall young fellow did indeed look every inch anobleman in his borrowed plumes. His armour glittered, while hismuscular arms and legs were clearly displayed, giving him the appearanceof a youth possessed of huge strength. His skin had long ago been deeplytanned by the sun, so that now that he was dressed as a Mexican therewas very little difference between him and the king or many of hisnobles, for numbers of the upper classes were very fair. Altogether thechange was excellent, for now the people would not be reminded so muchof the Spaniard, and Roger could take his place as one of their leaders.

  "I have almost all that I desire," he said, as he looked at Teotlili. "Iam now known as a friend, and as such I require arms. Let me have mysword and crossbow."

  Teotlili clapped his hands smartly, and spoke a few words as anattendant appeared. Then, within a few seconds the man came in again,bearing Roger's sword, his steel cap and shoulder-pieces, and hisfaithful crossbow and bag of shafts.

  "Good!" he cried, delighted at seeing them again. "You shall see what acrossbow will do as compared with your little bows and arrows, and wewill have some constructed. Now, lead me to the king, for I am anxiousto put the work in hand, and then to go in search of my countrymen."

  "And of the rogue who took the disc from you and sought to slay you withhis dagger. Is that not so, my lord? As to your comrades, our spiestell us that they are not on the coast now, and no news has come of themfrom the north or south. But follow me, and we will go to the meeting."

  Roger felt strange in his new dress at first, and somewhat bashful atthe thought of entering the huge room in which the conference was to beheld. Indeed, he would have retreated, but suddenly remembered theestimation in which these people now held him, and that it was necessaryfor him to act up to his position.

  "I will show them what a white man can do," he said to himself, "and ifit is possible I will lead them so as to beat back the Spaniards. Ifonly I could persuade them to give up the sacrifices as well. But I amno priest, and hardly know how to speak on such matters."

  His thoughts were suddenly distracted by the sight which met his eyes ashe entered the room in which the king and his generals were collected,while his heart beat quickly, and he flushed to the roots of his hair atthe deference which all showed him; for, as Teotlili backed before him,all rose and bowed, while the king came forward.

  "Let us now discuss the question from the very commencement," he saideagerly. "I will begin by telling our friend that we have made effortsto gather allie
s, and that many are now on their way to join us. Ourembassies also left this very morning for distant parts, to visit thecities which are wavering, and they take news of the coming of the whiteman. Those are our preparations for reinforcements, while in this cityitself we are storing food and grain, and laying by fresh water in hugetanks which were constructed long ago. Our causeways are under repair,and arrangements have been made so that the bridges which divide themcan be altogether removed. Now let the white man speak of arms, for oursare useless."

  Teotlili interpreted the words, while Roger thought for a few minutes.

  "You require lances," he said at length, "and these can be easily made.But tell me, when these Spaniards fell during their flight did they notleave many arms behind?"

  "Not a great number," was the answer; "for, of those who fell, quitehalf sank beneath the water of the lake, where they lie now."

  "Then you must send men with poles and hooks at the end, and mustrecover the arms," said Roger, with emphasis. "Then portions of thearmour must be used to manufacture lance heads, while men must bepractised in the use of the sword. Others must be trained to use thecrossbow, which can easily be constructed here. I will give the plans,and I advise that the work be carried out at once."

  "There will be no delay," answered the noble. "Tell our men how toproceed, and a hundred weapons will be ready in two days' time. And nowfor other matters. The king has already spoken of stores and of thecauseways."

  "You must decide to meet them outside the city," said Roger,thoughtfully. "You must fall on them at night, cut off their baggage,and endeavour to capture their guns and ammunition. Then I should buildforts where the causeways and the aqueducts commence, for the latter inparticular must be defended to the very last. Finally, I advise that wego to the top of the tower again, where we can see the whole city, andfrom which point we can pick out the spots which most requiredefending."

  There was a murmur of approval, and several of the nobles leapt to theirfeet and began to discuss the matter eagerly. Guatemozin nodded hisapproval, and came to Roger's side.

  "These crossbows could be handed to our best bowmen," he said, "and thenyou might train them for us. How many do you advise us to have."

  "As many as you can construct," answered Roger, promptly. "Your own bowsare useless against the Spanish armour, but a shaft from a crossbow willoften penetrate, particularly if aimed at a vulnerable spot, or at theface. Then the men with the lances should be trained together, and putunder a leader. It will be their task to charge down upon the Spaniardswhen they are gathering strongly, and particularly to meet the rush ofthe horsemen. Let them be armed with short swords or knives, and then,if the horsemen beat down the lances, the men should throw themselves onto the ground, and as the Spaniards pass, leap on their backs or dragthem from the saddle."

  "The advice is good," said Guatemozin, thoughtfully. "The lances willhold the enemy back, while the crossbows will bring death to theirranks. But we must have some suggestion for the causeways. They willfight their way among those, and these brigantines will lie on one sideand take us in the flank."

  This, in fact, was the very reason for their construction, for the wilyCortes had long ago seen that a powerful enemy could hold his men incheck on the narrow causeway. If, however, he could keep their boatsfrom the water, and could advance there himself, he would, with the helpof his guns, be able to drive the enemy back, and so gain the causewaywithout much loss.

  "You cannot stop the brigantines if the water is deep," said Roger,after a while. "If shallow, you might drive in numbers of piles."

  "Then I fear that we must suffer, for the lake is very deep on eitherside of the causeway," answered the king.

  "And there is no time in which to make a big boat for ourselves, and wehave no guns, and ammunition is not to be found. Then we must think ofanother plan, and decide when we see the actual spots. But I think thatour best way will be to break down the causeway in numerous places,leaving wide chasms over which a plank or two can be placed till theSpaniards come. Then it ought to be made still wider. Let men bestationed all the way along in their canoes, and arm each boat with acouple of poles with hooks at the end. Then the canoes can dash in asthe fighting is in full swing, and the men can drag the enemy into thewater."

  For long they discussed their plans for the future, Roger's advice beingreceived with the utmost respect. For it must be remembered that thesenatives had, for a couple of generations, been fighting with the samekind of arms as they now used, and against the same class of enemy.Their tactics, therefore, had required no alteration, and the coming ofa new race with more effective arms and different methods had entirelynonplussed the Mexicans. There were few amongst them who had any newideas, and by now they had proved the old ones to be useless. No wonder,therefore, that they received these new notions with every sign ofapproval, and begged Roger to put them into practice.

  "But we will eat first, and afterwards go to the tower," said the king,as he took his guest by the arm.

  It was a magnificent meal, and Roger, who had seen something of courtlife in England, for he was often stationed about the palace, knew thatthis banquet would compare most favourably with anything which KingHarry could show. The meats and the dishes were all beautifullyprepared, while there was abundant variety. But he had other things inhis mind, and was glad when they rose from their couches and went to thetower. From the lofty elevation he was able to see all the outskirts ofthe city, and when at length he descended it was with the knowledge thatorders had already been given for the work of construction to be carriedout.

  "And now for the crossbows and the lances," said Teotlili. "I havealready sent orders for the recovery of the Spanish armour and arms, andgrieve that we did not trouble about it before. But we never thought ofthe necessity. Our divers brought up the gold which Malinche attemptedto carry off, and after that we did not trouble. Now we will go to theartisans' quarters."

  They tramped through the city, followed by a crowd of eager natives,while everywhere Roger was treated with the utmost respect. Then theyreached the part where the carpenters plied their trade, and here thewood for the crossbows was selected, and one of special toughness, andof somewhat greater length than the steel bow on Roger's weapon, chosenfor that portion.

  "A steel bow would have been better," said our hero, "but as we havenone of the metal, wood must do. It will throw a shaft farther than thebows now in use, and a tip of iron to the former will do the rest."

  Roger's coming was in fact the signal for unusually hard work in andabout the city of Mexico, and when three weeks had passed he had thesatisfaction of knowing that great strides had been made. Huge chasmsnow gaped in the causeways, while the edges of these were left steeplysloping, so that an enemy could not easily climb up them. Then archwayswere left for the secretion of a few canoes, whose crew could dart outat the proper moment and fall on the flank of the enemy. The opening ofthe aqueduct was also strongly fortified, though it seemed certain thatthe position could not be held for long.

  "We will keep the water running till the last moment," said Roger. "Thenwe must fall back on our store. I should advise that as many as possibleof the women and children should be sent out of the city, for then ourstores will last longer."

  However, his advice on this matter was not followed, for the Mexicanswere a home-loving race, and could not easily reconcile themselves toparting with their families, a fact which afterwards had a fatalinfluence on their hopes of success. Unable to persuade them in this,Roger caused them to arrange for the constant supply of freshprovisions, to be brought at night by way of the water, and set guardson the enormous tanks which held the city's supply of fluid. That done,he turned to the training of his two special bands, the one wieldinglong lances, tipped with sharp spikes made from the Spanish armour andarms, while the crossbow men carried a weapon which, if not as good asthe one which he and Tamba used, was almost so, and could be relied onto do much execution.

  "We will divide the lances up into three lots,"
he said to Teotlili, asthat noble was one day inspecting the band, "for I think that theSpaniards may attack in three columns along the three viaducts. We willappoint their officers and give them a little practice, for one band canbe pitted against the other."

  At his direction the men reversed their arms, and lashed a piece ofcotton to the butt end of the stout poles which held the lance head,padding the cotton with some loose material. Then one band was set toenter the city, while another opposed them. Roger taught them how tostand steady, to await attack, and how to make the most of theirnumbers, the front rank kneeling, while the rear rank, standing only apace behind, stood upright, their lances protecting their comrades whoknelt. At a shout the whole party would dart forward and take up a newposition, or would retire slowly, facing the supposed enemy. But therewas more to be seen, and Teotlili and the king, who was more thanenergetic in these days of preparation, and who had come to see how thebands were faring, were delighted at the next movement.

  "We have no horses, but we can imagine them," said Roger, with a smile."The enemy will rush forward without arms, and my men will send a forceforward to break up the supposed horsemen."

  He whistled to the men who had been sent along the causeway, while ashout set those with the lances in motion. They ran forward to meet thesupposed horsemen, and took up a position as formerly. Then some fortywho stood behind them leaped over the shoulders of those who werekneeling and dashed to the front. Arrived within a few feet of thesupposed horsemen, they shouted, waved their arms, and flung themselveson the ground.

  "That is as far as we can train them without horses," said Roger; "butthey know what is required. I have given them instructions to wave andshout, for horses are easily frightened. Then they will escape thelances by flinging themselves on the ground, while they need not fearthe horses stamping on them. It remains to be seen how they will manageto deal with the enemy."

  As for the men with the crossbows, they had rapidly acquired the use oftheir new weapons, and being skilled with the ordinary bow, soon wereable to do almost as well with the others. Roger had set up a figuredressed in armour taken from the body of one of the officers who hadfallen in the retreat of the Spaniards. The crossbow men spent hoursfiring at it, their instructions being to aim for the joints beneath thearms, and for the face.

  So much progress had been made at the end of three weeks, that Rogerfelt that he could now turn his attention to other matters, moreparticularly as news came that the English ship had again been seen offthe coast.

  "Then I will see what I can do to reach them," said our hero, whenTeotlili told him the news, "and I should be pleased if you could comewith me. Then there will be no difficulties with your allies. I shalltake Tamba and half a dozen of the crossbow men."

  "I will come," was the answer. "Our allies will be glad to see you, forthe report of your coming has already been sent to them. We have yet amonth before the brigantines will be ready, and before Malinche cancome. In that time we may reach your comrades."

  "And also capture the golden disc," said Roger, with a meaning smile."Our journey to the coast will take us to the neighbourhood of theSpaniards, and we will do what we can to hear of this Alvarez. When canwe set out?"

  Two days later the three, with six crossbow men following, left Mexico,each of the soldiers carrying a bundle of food in a bag suspended fromhis shoulders. They took the track which led across the plain to thecity of some allies who lived on the mountain side, their journey beingaccomplished at night.

  "Were we to start during the day, all the Spaniards' friends wouldknow," said Teotlili, "for their spies are everywhere. Besides, we mightbe attacked and made prisoners."

  "In which case I should have little to look forward to," answered Roger,with a grim smile. "They would have little mercy on a white man."

  "They have placed a price on your head," said the noble, solemnly. "Thenews of your arrival has come to their ears through spies, and they havesent to all the cities offering a reward to any who may take or killyou. No doubt they would treat your comrades in a similar manner.However, we have escaped their notice so far, and will hear what ourallies have to say."

  Roger was silent for some little while, for, in spite of the dangersthrough which he had already passed, it was a new and a terrifyingexperience to have a price set upon his head, to know that manythousands would be on the look out for him, eager to win the rewardoffered by the Spaniards. And their chances of success would be great,he reflected, for he was the only Englishman, the only one with a whiteskin, to be found in Mexico, and for that reason he would beparticularly prominent, if his height did not make him that already. Hebegan to wonder whether it would be possible to reach the brigantine,and return to the safety of his friends, where he would occupy a saferand a humbler position.

  "No," he said to himself, after a little while. "I am a coward to be soeasily frightened. Even if I come across my comrades, it is my duty toask them to accompany me to Mexico, and, if they will not come, I willreturn alone, for I have given a solemn promise. Besides, there are theriches, the treasure to be won, which we owe to those who paid theexpenses of our expedition. As for the reward for my life, pooh!"

  He tugged at his sword till it was free, and drew it. Then he carefullyinspected the edge, as if that were sufficient answer.

  "He who captures me will have to beat this down first," he said, "andafterwards he will have to look out for my fists. I am beginning tothink that nature's weapons are not to be scoffed at. Now let uslisten to these people."

  By now they were in the palace of the allies, where Roger was greetedwith the usual signs of rejoicing and respect. The cacique, or chief,having placed a meal before them, began to speak of the Spanishmovements.

  "They are massing close to the town where the ships are beingmanufactured," he said, "and I have news that there is to be a bigreview within a few days. Doubtless, after that is done with, the armieswill march for Mexico. Meanwhile, the country swarms with enemies, andmy people are frequently in conflict with them."

  "And what of the English ship?" demanded Teotlili. "She has men aboardwho will prove valuable allies."

  "I cannot say," was the answer. "My spies report that she was withinsight of the coast to the north a week ago. And now comes the rumour ofnoises at sea, such as the Spaniards make. At night bright flashes wereto be seen accompanying the explosions. When dawn came none were insight, though it is rumoured that a strange ship was brought into theharbour with these enemies."

  "Captured! My comrades beaten! Sir Thomas would never surrender!"exclaimed Roger, aghast at the rumour; for if it were true, then hemight bid adieu to all hope of return to England, save perhaps as aprisoner, and even then, Spain would be his destination, and not hisnative land. He sat dumfounded for a little while, Teotlili and thecacique watching him curiously. At length he spoke quietly.

  "The rumour bodes little good to us," he said. "If my comrades aretaken they must be helped. I sacrifice all thought of Mexico and of itsdefence, and I give up all hope of the treasure, till I have made sureof their fate, and, if the opportunity can be made, have contrived tospeak with them and rescue them. That is without doubt my first duty. Iowe it to the King of England, and I owe it to a leader who was alwayskind, and to comrades who treated me well."

  "And we honour you for the decision," said Teotlili. "Though it falls inbut sadly with our own desires, we recognise that man's first duty isloyalty to his comrades and to his friends. Fidelity to the hand whichfeeds him and gives him favours. These friends of my lord's must be hisfirst thought, and afterwards he can turn his mind to Mexico and herpeople. We will rest now, and to-morrow, before the dawn breaks, we willpush on for the coast."

  A little after midnight the party set out again, Roger feeling feverishwith anxiety. Their faces were turned to the sea, and they aimed for thecoast at a point a little north of Vera Cruz, where they hoped to gaindefinite tidings of the Englishmen. Soon they were clambering up thesteep pass which led over the mountains, while the atmosph
ere graduallybecame brisker and colder. Clouds enveloped them, and as the dawn brokethey marched in a thick, wet mist.

  "It will last for an hour more," said Teotlili. "Then the sun willdispel the clouds, and it will be clear day. Ere that we shall be at thetown of a friendly tribe, who live off the road."

  An hour later, just as they were about to emerge from a gulley throughwhich the track lay, Roger thought he heard a shout behind him, whilethe head of their tiny procession came to an abrupt halt.

  "Some one is behind us, and the men think that others are in front,"whispered Teotlili. "We will wait a few minutes, and then move on. Ihave sent a scout forward."

  They huddled on the track, drawing their feathered cloaks about them,for the morning was a chill one. And as they waited the light steadilyincreased, till a dull gleam in the east showed the rising sun. Rogerwas just commenting upon its appearance, when there was a loud shout.

  "Tueles!" called out the scout, who had been sent forward. "Spaniards!They have us between them! Fly!"

  "The enemy! Spaniards!" explained Teotlili. "Then we must go. Come, mylord, follow me."

  There was no time for further argument or explanation, for the voices ofthe Spanish horsemen could be heard, while the stamping of their horses'hoofs was very audible. Roger drew his sword, and set off afterTeotlili, Tamba leading the way. Then a figure suddenly dashed out ofthe mist, and bore down upon him, lance in hand.

  "Halt! Stand, or I run you through!"

  The Spanish horseman took our hero for a native, and never imagined thathe would understand. But Roger knew the language, fortunately, and asthe man came to closer quarters, swung round and leapt suddenly aside.His sword went up over his shoulder, and the blade fell true on thesoldier's head, dropping him like a stone. For an instant Roger thoughtof leaping on the horse, but two other Spaniards put in an appearance.He turned, therefore, and ran as fast as he was able, till a cry ofdismay escaped him. He found no ground for his feet, but plungedheadlong down the side of the mountain, crashing on to the rocks somefeet below. The fall stunned him for a little while, and when at lengthhe was able to understand and look about him, he saw Spaniards guardingtheir prisoner, while his sword and crossbow had been removed, and hishands lashed firmly together.

  "THE BLADE FELL TRUE ON THE SOLDIER'S HEAD, DROPPING HIMLIKE A STONE"]

  "He has recovered. None but one of these dogs could have withstood sucha fall," said some one in authority, striding towards Roger andsurveying him. "Then we will march and get to safer quarters. Tie therascal to your stirrup-leather, Juan, and let us be moving. To horse,mount, and away!"

  Some fifty troopers obeyed the order. They swung themselves into theirsaddles, while one of their number hastened to pass a noose roundRoger's hands, and attach it to his saddle. Then there was a sharporder, and the cavalcade went at a trot down the pass, clattering theirway over the stones and broken ground, and bearing their captive to thecamp where dwelt Fernando Cortes. It was a terrible misfortune, and asad and sudden ending to our hero's rising fortunes.