“O God! Thou knowest that the days of our Emperor are ended, for thou hast placed him under thy feet. He tarries in the place of rest. He has traversed the road we all must go. He has gone to the house where we must all follow—the home of eternal darkness which no light enters. He tarried but a few days in his Empire, for we had enjoyed his presence but a few days when thou summoned him to follow his predecessor. He is therefore grateful to thee for freeing him from such a hard burden and sending him peace and rest. Who shall now care for the welfare of thy people and the empire? Who shall be appointed the judge to administer justice to thy people? Who shall sound drum and pipe to call the old warriors and the mighty to battle? Our Lord and our Protector, willst thou in thy wisdom select one worthy to sit upon the imperial throne, to bear the heavy burden of sovereignty, to love and console thy poor people, as a mother loves and consoles her children? O merciful God, shed the light of thy countenance upon this, thy kingdom. Ordain that in all and through all, the honor shall be thine.” The choice fell upon Guatemozin. He was a nephew of both the late Emperors and when he came to the throne was not over twenty-five years of age. Young as he was, he had had much military experience and had distinguished himself in many bloody campaigns. He hated the Spaniards as Hannibal hated Rome, and, as soon as he heard of the organization of his enemy’s army, he assembled an extraordinary force of fighting men from all the provinces at the capital, with whom he determined to fight to the last drop of blood. Cortes, who was aware of his preparations, realized that he must encounter great difficulties and dangers, but he faced them with his usual courage. Boldly and enthusiastically he began the march upon Mexico at the head of his greatly increased army. Chapter XIV Cortes Builds Vessels for a Land and Water Attack—A Conspiracy against his Life is Discovered—The Capital is Attacked