A CHALLENGE, AND ITS RESULT. 125

days, that they might witness his reception at the
Tlascalan capital.

Preparations were now made for leaving the hill
of Zompach, on which the conquerors had passed
three memorable weeks, and its fortress-temple, the
ruins of which are shown to this day as those of the
“Tower of Victory.” On the 23d of September, the
anniversary of which is still celebrated by Tlascalans
as a day of jubilee, the Christian army entered the
capital of the brave little republic. The van of the
procession consisted of a body of white-robed priests,
chanting and scattering clouds of sweet incense from
swaying censers. Next came Huetzin, proudly lead-
ing an escort of a thousand Tlascalan wavrriors.
These were followed by Cortes and the Aztec envoys.
After them marched the battle-worn Spanish troops,
with their rumbling artillery and prancing cavalry
bringing up the rear.

The eager multitude of spectators who thronged
the streets and terraced roofs, and who were kept in
check by an efficient body of native police, greeted
the conquerors with acclamations, showering upon
them garlands and wreaths of the choicest flowers.
They even hung these over the necks of the horses,
and on the black-muzzled guns. Arches of green
branches, entwined with roses, spanned the streets,

and the house fronts were gay with fragrant festoons.