The Slave Sculptor — page 93: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

SIEGZ OF MEXICO, 95 the city, he was agreeably surprised to find hovering around his person, the strange recruit of the fortress, who saved his life in several instances, during his arerons sojourn in the capital. He also discovered the black robed priest, in whom, at that period, he became deeply interested. ~ If Cortez calculated upon a speedy termination of the war, by _of the capital, he was greatly mistaken. He had yet to learn the indomitable courage, perseverance, and determination of the Aztecs, when led by a brave, shrewd, and able ande Cortez was not, however, content to remain idle, and wait the tedious process of reducing the city by starvation and thirst; he was con- tinually penetrating in to the suburbs, carrying with him death and devastation, In these sorties, he engaged the populace in battle, burned their houses, and laid waste the capital. ' After a weary of months, through all kines of fortune, whose recor reads like the siege of Troy, the memorable morning of August 13th, 1521, finally wned upon the smoking, pestering, starving capital. It was the day of slaughter, and the day of tri- Cortez had followed up his advantage, until he had laid in ruins nearly all the city—until heaps of Aztecs lpy piled up in every street; on every azolea where their bodies exposed to the scorching rays of the sun, created a stench almost insufferable, — until the beseiged were reduced to the most painful extremes, In all this strife— through all those fearful scenes, the strange Aztec recruit (who, it will be remembered, shot old Lord Ahuitzol) and priest, stood resolutely by the side of the Spaniards. They had performed mighty deeds of valor — had won laurels of renown, not only in the estimation of Cortez, but of all who witnessed their bra- very and their deeds. They had received many wounds, but still fought Pa EPR danger everywhere. = At this period of the seige, Rape Sih OO hoor ne Fed spe an elpes Ma.piemnete Lye WeBEe de"? nozin, to surrender and How deep rooted must have becn their hatred toward the treacher- ous invaders, to have induced such a reply, It was worthy of. manand his people) our - =) proud Aztecs were conquered. Through slaughter which ca memory of Cortez with blood, the race were made to wade :—men, wowen, and children alike, were cnt down; and Gua- temozin was, at leagth, prisoner. Cortez commanded him to his presence. AS Guatemozin approached, Cortez advanced, and re- ceived him with a frank open cou ° ; a «| have done all that I could, to defend myself, and my peo % the prince sid. «Tam now reduced to this state. You will deal with me as you wish.” COMIC HOOXS.COMN s 4 “oe @