fellow-victim turned in anguish as if appealing for compassion, he exclaimed rebukingly: "Think youthat I enjoy it?"[1] Nevertheless Quauhtemotzin cudgelled his brain to bethink himself how to escape torment, and pointed out a number of places where treasures might be found. Thereupon Cortés stepped forward, thinking if possible to recover his name from foul dishonor, and said: "Such behavior to a king is cruel, inhuman; I will have none of it." Nevertheless Quauhtemotzin went on to tell how the canoe of some rich fugitives was upset by a brigantine, indicating that and other spots were treasures might be found. Search was made and divers employed, but with insignificant results.
The king of Tlacopan offered himself to point out the places where gold had been hidden some distance from the city. Alvarado went with him and at their heels a crowd of Spaniards. Arrived at the spot the captive declared that his statement was but an invention to save himself from further torture. He had hoped to die on the way. But Alvarado permitted the king to live, though in truth he was reserved for fate worse than immediate death.[2] The search continued: houses were again ransacked, gardens upturned, cellars and passages examined, and graves were opened and the lake was dragged.[3]
- ↑ This utterance has become famous in Robertson's free rendering: 'Am I now reposing on a bed of flowers?' Hist. Am., ii. 127. Others substitute 'roses' for flowers. Herrera writes simply: 'Nor am I in delight.' Herrera also says that the companion of Quauhtemotzin died during the torture.
- ↑ See Hist. Cent. Am., i. 551-5, this series. Testimony in Cortés, Residencia, i. 167, declares that the prisoners revealed several rich deposits which Cortés quietly appropriated; and Alvarado may have been suspected of a similar act.
- ↑ In the reservoir of Quanhtemotzin's residence was found a sun disk of gold, and a number of jewels. Bernal Diaz, Hist. Verdad., 158. A noble indicated an idol in the same place as probably containing gold, but a long search revealing nothing, Cortés ordered him to be roasted alive and then cast halfdead into the lake. Seeing this and other outrages the emperor in his fear and despair attempted to hang himself. Sworn testimony of Zamora and Orduña, in Cortés, Residencia, ii. 203-4, nevertheless to be taken with allow-
ture as a deed which stained the glory of all his great actions.' Hist. Am.,ii. 126. 'An indelible stain' on his honor. Prescott's Mex., iii. 234-5. Alaman expresses himself in a similar manner, while Bustamante charges the deed fiercely to Cortés' extreme greed, ubi sup.
