So desirous was Montezuma to know its contents, that contrary to all custom he snatched the roll from the hands of the counsellor, and unrolling it, he began to read the picture writing by the baleful light of the blazing sky and temple.

Presently, as we watched and he read, Montezuma groaned aloud, and casting down the writing he covered his face with his hands.

As it chanced it fell near to where I stood, and I saw painted over it rude pictures of ships of the Spanish rig, and of men in the Spanish armour.

Then I understood why Montezuma groaned.

The Spaniards had landed on his shores! Now some of his counsellors approached him to console him, but he thrust them aside, saying: 'Let me mourn--the doom that was foretold is fallen upon the children of Anahuac.