Apparition of St. James 145 Attempt to convert Montezuma 147 Its Failure 148 Last Hours of Montezuma 149 His Character 151 His Posterity 155 Effect of his Death on the Spaniards 156 Interment of Montezuma 157 CHAPTER III COUNCIL OF WAR--SPANIARDS EVACUATE THE CITY--NOCHE TRISTE, OR THE “MELANCHOLY NIGHT”--TERRIBLE SLAUGHTER--HALT FOR THE NIGHT--AMOUNT OF LOSSES Council of War 158 Predictions of the Astrologer 159 Their Effect on Cortés 160 He decides to abandon the Capital 160 Arranges his Order of March 162 Spaniards leave the City 163 Noche Triste, or the “Melancholy Night” 164 The Capital is roused 165 Spaniards assailed on the Causeway 166 The Bridge wedged in the Stones 166 Despair of the Spaniards 167 Fearful Carnage 167 Wreck of Bodies and Treasure 169 Spaniards arrive at the Third Breach 169 The Cavaliers return to the Rescue 170 Condition of the Rear 171 Alvarado’s Leap 172 Sad Spectacle of the Survivors 174 Feelings of Cortés 174 Spaniards defile through Tacuba 176 Storm the Temple 176 Halt for the Night 177 Reflections of the General 178 The Loss of the Spaniards 179 CHAPTER IV RETREAT OF THE SPANIARDS--DISTRESSES OF THE ARMY--PYRAMIDS OF TEOTIHUACAN--GREAT BATTLE OF OTUMBA Quiet of the Mexicans 183 The Spaniards resume their Retreat 184 Distresses of the Army 186 Their heroic Fortitude 188