CHAPTER VIII.

BRIEF REIGN OF CUITLAHUA--EXPULSION OF THE SPANIARDS--GUATIMOZIN CHOSEN EMPEROR--HIS MARRIAGE WITH TECUICHPO. 137

Cuitlahua elected to the vacant throne--His resolution--Cortez, realizing his danger, resolves to evacuate the city--Attempts to steal away in the night--Assaulted on all sides by the Aztecs--Perils of the retreat--Awful position on the Great Causeway--Hemmed in on all sides--Terrible slaughter--A remnant escape--Cortez in tears--Singular neglect of his adversary--Activity of Cuitlahua--His sudden death--Grief and despondency of the nation--Guatimozin elected to his place--His activity and prudence--He claims the hand of the Princess--Her timidity and her devotion--Love finding the bright side of the picture--The nuptial festival--Grand procession to the Capital--A nation's welcome.