Cortes vainly tried to quiet them. Aldereto, who had been appointed royal treasurer, espoused the cause of the malcontents and demanded by virtue of his office that the Emperor and his premier should be delivered over to him to reveal in what part of the lake the treasures were sunk. Cortes, who had faced so many storms, was this time weak and inhuman enough to yield to this monster. Guatemozin and his loyal premier were stretched upon the rack. The Emperor bore all the torments which the brute could devise with wonderful firmness. His premier imitated his example, but when they proceeded to put him to still more inhuman torture, he uttered a loud cry and turned his eyes to his master as if asking permission to confess what he knew. Guatemozin understood the look and said with the utmost composure, “Am I lying upon a bed of roses?” His words went to the heart of his faithful servant. Not a loud sound escaped his lips again as he expired before the eyes of his tortured master with the sublime steadfastness of a hero and the tranquillity of a saint.
Cortes, who had heard from a distance the outcry of the poor man, overcome by remorse and shame, rushed to the apartment and saved the life of the tortured Emperor.
Chapter XVI Tapia, Commissioned to Depose Cortes, is Induced to Return to Cuba—Cortes is Confirmed as Governor of New Spain—He Goes to Spain and is Ennobled—A Second Visit to Spain Discloses the Fickleness of the Court—He Vainly Begs the Emperor’s Favor—His Death
The conquest of imperial provinces shortly followed the capture of the city. One after another surrendered and their people suffered the same hard fate which the American islanders had endured for twenty years. They were enslaved and cruelly treated. Cortes in the meantime received no reply from Spain and was uncertain how his operations were regarded there. At last a vessel arrived at Vera Cruz, having on board a certain Tapia, who had been sent to depose Cortes, bring him to trial, and fill his position. Fortunately for Cortes, this man was both weak and cowardly. He cunningly interposed so many obstacles and intimidated him in so many ways that Tapia thought the safest course for him was to return home without making any attempt to carry out the object of his mission. Cortes also knew that he was a very covetous man and offered to purchase his horses, slaves, and entire outfit indeed, at a handsome price. Tapia was willing to sell and returned to Cuba with a goodly amount of gold.