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BOOK V. EXPULSION FROM MEXICO.. CHAPTER I. DESPERATE ASSAULT ON THE QUARTERS—FURY OF THE MEXICANS-* -SALLY OF TVS SPANIARDS—MONTEZUMA ADDRESSES THE PEOPLE—DANQEROUSLY WOUNDED. 1520. The palace of Axayacatl, in which the Spaniards were quartered, was, as the reader may remember, a vast, irregular pile of stone build ings, haying but one floor, except in the centre, where another story was added, consisting of a suite of apartments which rose like turrets on the main building of the edifice. A vast area stretched around, encompassed by a stone wall of no great height. This was supported by towers or bulwarks at certain intervals, which gave it some degree of strength, not, indeed, as compared with European fortifications, but sufficient to resist the rude battering enginery of the Indians. The parapet had been pierced here and there with embrasures for the artillery, which consisted of thirteen guns ; and smaller apertures were made in other parts for the convenience of the arquebusiers. The Spanish forces found accommoda tions within the great building; but the numerous body of Tlascalan auxiliaries could have had no other shelter than what was afforded by barracks or sheds hastily constructed for the purpose in the spacious court yard. Most of them, probably, bivouacked under the open sky, in a climate milder than that to which they were accustomed among the rude bills of their native land. Thus crowded into a small compact mass, the whole army could be assembled at a moment’s notice; and, as the Spanish commander was careful to enforce the strictest discipline and vigilance, it was scarcely possible that he could be taken by surprise. No sooner, therefore, did the trumpet call to arms, as the approach of the enemy was announced, than every soldier was at his post—the cavalry mountea, the artillerymen at their gun?, and the archers and arquebusiers stationed so as to give the assailants a warm reception. On they came, with the companies, or irregular masses, into which the multitude was divided, rushing forward each in its own dense column, with many a gay banner displayed, and many a bright gleam of light reflected lrom helmet, arrow, and spear-head, as they were tossed about in their disorderly array. As they drew near the mclosure, the Aztecs set up a hideous yell, or rather that shrill whistle used in fight by the nations of Anahuae, which rose far above the sound of shell and atabal,
