File:Stories of American explorers - a historical reader (1906) (14592623230).jpg

Identifier: storiesofamerica00gord (find matches)
Title: Stories of American explorers : a historical reader
Year: 1906 (1900s)
Authors: Gordy, Wilbur F. (Wilbur Fisk), 1854-1929
Subjects: Explorers America -- Discovery and exploration
Publisher: New York : C. Scribner's sons
Contributing Library: New York Public Library
Digitizing Sponsor: MSN

View Book Page: Book Viewer
About This Book: Catalog Entry
View All Images: All Images From Book
Click here to view book online to see this illustration in context in a browseable online version of this book.

Text Appearing Before Image:
e a madman. The Mexicans now felt so bitter toward theSpaniards that they again attacked them. Theslaughter was fearful. Although the Spanish can-non mowed down the Aztecs by scores and hun-dreds, they still fought on. Finally Cortez re-quested Montezuma to go out on the wall of thebuilding, in order to stop the fighting. Montezuma at first refused, but finally con-sented. Dressed in all the splendor befitting hishigh office, and attended by Mexican nobles anda Spanish guard, he appeared in the central turretof the building that the Spaniards occupied. As soon as the Aztec warriors caught sight ofhim a death-like stillness fell upon the mightythrong. Some of the Mexicans threw themselvesHat upon the earth and others dropped upon theirknees as a token of reverence. Seeing this, Monte-/nma calmly spoke as follows: Why are my peo-ple I u re? I am not a prisoner, as you think, but Hcnuuido Cord: these1 white strangers are my guests. I am nowwith them because 1 prefer to he, and can return
Text Appearing After Image:
The (k-ath of Montr/lima to my home when I wish. You need not try todrive them from the city, for they are willing to 08 American Explorers depart if you will not oppose their going. Putaside your arms and return to your homes in peace. The Mexicans listened in silence until Monte-zuma called the Spaniards his guests. At this therewas a murmur, and then an angry outburst, fromthe Aztec warriors, who had already chosen anotherleader. They leaped to their feet and shouted:Base Aztec! Woman! Coward! In their ex-citement they hurled stones at him and struck himdown. Montezuma was quickly carried back to hisapartments, feeling that he was deserted by hispeople, and that there was nothing left for himto live for. He refused all medical aid, tore offbandages that were placed about his wounds, anddied in a few days. Although Cortez had returned from Vera Cruzwith twelve hundred more Spaniards, he now feltthat he must leave the city in order to save himselfand his soldiers. Quickly getting his

Note About Images