With early dawn, the Spaniards were up and under arms; but not
before their enemies had given evidence of their hostility by the
random missiles, which, from time to time, were sent into the
inclosure. As the grey light of morning advanced, it showed the
besieging army far from being diminished in numbers, filling up the
great square and neighbouring avenues, in more dense array than on the
preceding evening. Instead of a confused, disorderly rabble, it had
the appearance of something like a regular force, with its
battalions distributed under their respective banners, the devices
of which showed a contribution from the principal cities and districts
in the valley. High above the rest was conspicuous the ancient
standard of Mexico, with its well-known cognisance, an eagle
pouncing on an ocelot, emblazoned on a rich mantle of feather-work.
Here and there priests might be seen mingling in the ranks of the
besiegers, and, with frantic gestures, animating them to avenge
their insulted deities.
The greater part of the enemy had little clothing save the
Maxtlatl, or sash, round the loins. They were variously armed, with
long spears tipped with copper, or flint, or sometimes merely
pointed and hardened in the fire. Some were provided with slings,
and others with darts having two or three points, with long strings
attached to them, by which, when discharged, they could be torn away
again from the body of the wounded.
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