That matters not.
Better to die at the hands of a Mexican, struggling to be free, than at those of these treacherous invaders." The missiles showered down thickly upon the column, from the houses, till they emerged from the street and made their way out on to the causeway.

Then they became exposed to the storm of arrows, darts, and stones from the canoes on the lake.

By their officer's orders, the soldiers immediately in charge of the prisoners drew their swords and formed a circle round them; with orders to fall upon and kill them, at once, did they make the slightest movement to escape.

Roger translated to the captives the officer's assurance that, although he was most anxious for their safety, he had no resource but to order the soldiers to slay them, at once, if they made any movement to escape.
"We shall not try to escape," Cacama said.

"How can we do so, with our hands bound ?" During the long pause that ensued, before the rear of the column passed over the bridge on to the causeway, the impatience among the soldiers was great.