One of these windows was above my couch, and standing on the bed I seized the sill with my hands.

With much pain, because of the flesh wound in my side, I drew myself up till I could look through the bars.

Then I saw that the Spaniards, not content with the capture of the teocalli, had made a night attack and set fire to hundreds of houses in the city.

The glare of the flames was that of a lurid day, and by it I could see the white men retreating to their quarters, pursued by thousands of Aztecs, who hung upon their flanks, shooting at them with stones and arrows.
Now I dropped down from the window place and began to think as to what I should do, for again my mind was wavering.

Should I desert Otomie and escape to the Spaniards if that were possible, taking my chance of death at the hands of de Garcia?
Or should I stay among the Aztecs if they would give me shelter, and wed Otomie?
There was a third choice, indeed, to stay with them and leave Otomie alone, though it would be difficult to do this and keep my honour.