I remember that this is a great night for these Indians, as it is the
anniversary of the Noche Triste, which they celebrate in
commemoration of the Aztec's victory over the Spaniards when the
Indians almost wiped their enemies off the face of the earth. Senor,
to tell the truth, rather would I turn my horse's head homeward.
Pray, let us return!" "And why, amigo," I asked. "Because this has
always been a day of ill luck for our family," said Don Reyes. "It
began with the misfortune of the famed Knight Don Pedro Alvarado, the
bravest of men and the right hand of Don Fernando Cortez. In the
bloody retreat of the Spaniards from Mexico, in their fight with the
Aztecs, during the Noche Triste, Don Pedro Alvarado, from whom we
were descended, lost his mare through a deadly arrow. "Muy bien,
amigo Don Reyes," said I; "if you fear these people, I advise you to
return home to Dona Josefita, but I shall go on alone." "I fear not
man or beast!" flared up Don Reyes, "as you well know, friend, but
these are heathen fiends, not human, who worship a huge rattlesnake,
which they keep in an underground den and feed with the innocent
blood of Christian babes. Lead on, senor, I shall follow. I see it is
as Dona Josefita, my little wife, says: "If these young gringos crave
a thing, there is no use in denying them, for they seem to compel! To
the very door of that uncanny place I follow you, amigo, but enter
therein I shall not, unless I be first absolved from my sins and
shriven by the padre."

We had now arrived at the door of the estufa (oven), where the
entertainment was going on, full blast. I alighted and my friend took
charge of my horse and stationed himself at the door while I got down
on all fours and crawled inside. I seated myself on a little bench at
one side of the entrance. When my eyes got accustomed to the dense
atmosphere of the place, I observed that the room was full of people,