The Night of Montezuma's Hordes - Recap

In Houston, Professor Henry Johnson visits the Museum of Archaeology and meet with Dr. John Mallory. Johnson introduces himself as the head of the archeological department at the state university. Meanwhile, Jim arrives to see Mallory and the guard lets him in. When Jim enters the office, Johnson is there, claiming to be Mallory. Jim doesn’t know what Mallory looks like and is fooled, and Johnson knows that Jim was coming.

Johnson explains that he knows why the government has approached him to go on the expedition, but asks why the Secret Service is involved. Jim explains that a diplomatic incident could occur if something happened to the treasure. Montezuma’s map has been recovered in the stacks of Mexico’s archive museum, and Johnson says that the treasure’s value is incalculable. He points out the mask of the Sun Goddess, explaining that it was always worn by the most beautiful woman of the tribe, whose beauty had to be hidden from mere mortals. According to the legends, the Sun God she waits for eventually arrives and liberates her from her prison. Johnson then asks to examine the map, but Jim explains that Colonel Pedro Sanchez, the official Mexican representative assigned to the expedition, has the map. As they talk, someone opens the door and listens.



Johnson shows Jim to the door, and the agent explains that they’ll meet Sanchez next Wednesday at Eagle’s Pass. A stone tablet suddenly falls, narrowly missing Jim, and Johnson appears deeply shocked. Once Jim leaves, Johnson’s employer, Zack Slade, comes in and slaps Johnson. Johnson tells him that Sanchez has the map and they’ll have to get it the next Wednesday. Slade then opens a sarcophagus, revealing Mallory’s corpse inside. He removes the doctor’s ring and gives it to Johnson.

The next Wednesday, Jim rides to the town of Eagle’s Pass and ties up by the saloon. He tips a blind beggar and goes into the saloon, where Artie is disguised as a Swedish waiter. Jim orders lunch and Artie tells him that he hasn’t found out much. Mallory hasn’t arrived yet but Artie points out Colonel Sanchez at the bar. Once his partner moves on, Jim approaches Sanchez and introduces himself, but Sanchez refuses to shake his hand. When Jim orders a drink for him, Sanchez knocks it over and angrily says that he’s sure the U.S. will make a profit from the expedition. He doesn’t believe Jim’s denials and objects to having to beg help from the gringos to get the treasure on American soil. Sanchez admits that he advised Juarez to invade the U.S. to get Montezuma’s treasure and walks away.



Outside, the “blind” beggar and his partners attack Sanchez, knock him out, and toss him into a funeral hearse. Jim and Artie notice and Jim tries to go out, but three more thugs are waiting for him. Jim disposes of them and Artie lends a helping hand without blowing his cover. Outside, Jim takes on Sanchez’s abductors and drives them off.

Meanwhile, Slade and Johnson have watched the entire thing from nearby, including Artie when he dumps a bucket of water on one thug’s head. They come over as Sanchez reluctantly acknowledges Jim’s help, and Jim introduces Johnson. Johnson claims that Slade is in charge of his digging crew, and then asks Sanchez if he has the map. Sanchez explains that the map is in the Archive Museum and he’s memorized it. As Sanchez stalks off, Jim suggests they find a guide but Slade says it’s not necessary since Sanchez knows the route. Johnson hesitates and Jim explains that the map won’t include recent water holes. Once Jim leaves, Slade says that they’ll have to keep Sanchez alive, but they can get rid of Jim once they get there.



Jim, Johnson, and Slade try to hire an Indian guide, Juan, but he warns that there are ghosts in the desert. Slade offers him more but Juan refuses and Jim is forced to restrain Slade from beating him. The agent notes that Juan was the fourth guide and none of them will go into the area. When Slade insists they don’t need a guide, Jim challenges him and they almost come to blows. However, Artie interrupts, disguised as an old timer, and offers his services. He haggles with Slade over the price and they have no choice but to agree. Once Johnson and Slade leave, Jim and Artie confer privately. Artie assures his partner he’s bought drinks for every guide in town and written a map on his left forearm.

The expedition leaves with Slade’s “diggers” riding along. Artie directs them to a waterhole and Sanchez initially objects, noting that it takes them off course. However, he gives in and they ride to the waterhole. Artie cooks dinner and two of the diggers try to pick a fight with him. He embarrasses them without looking too competent and they go for their guns, but Sanchez draws his gun and orders them to stop. Artie wanders over to Jim and admits that if they have any problems, he’d want Sanchez on their side.



The next day, the expedition continues and Sanchez spots a familiar rock formation near the treasure. They ride into a pass at the edge of no man’s land and Artie warns that the next waterhole is two days’ travel away. Jim hangs back and then tells Artie that he has the feeling that they’re being watched. His partner agrees but they have no choice but to continue. That night, the expedition makes camp at the waterhole and Artie secretly shows Jim a fresh bare footprint that they’ve found. He suggests to Jim that the Aztecs may be following them and the agents figure that whoever is following them is keeping a close eye.

Sanchez continues to lead the expedition the next day and finally finds the formation indicating the eye of the Sun God. The directions require them to wait until the moon comes up. The expedition makes camp and Slade suggests that one of his men, Jake, make coffee for Jim. Jake gets a cup of coffee and then throws it into Jim’s face. Jim knocks the man out and Slade stares, impressed. Before Jim can pursue the matter, Sanchez point out how the moon is resting on twin peaks, indicating the treasure’s location a day’s travel away.

One of the diggers is suddenly shot by an arrow and killed, and Artie identifies it as an Aztec arrow. Everyone goes out to find the shooter, leaving Johnson behind. He paces nervously and drinks to quiet his nerves, and Jim and Artie notice as they return. Slade and his men finish burying the dead man and ask Jim what’s going on. He tells them that they’re being followed and says that they should break camp. Slade briefly challenges his authority but decides not to push the matter.



Come sunrise, the expedition rides toward the twin peaks. When they arrive at the valley, Sanchez says that they must proceed on foot and climb up the cliff walls. Johnson objects and notes that the Aztecs must have gotten up somehow. Jim uses a rifle to fire a grappling hook and line up to the top. Everyone climbs up and then descends the other side, and they come to poles with skulls mounted on them. The poles are markers and the party finally comes to the cave entrance, decorated with Aztec statuary.

Inside, the expedition finds an elaborate temple decorated with rubies. One of the men goes to a statue to pry out the ruby eyes and archers kill him by firing through hidden arrow slots. Aztec warriors enter the chamber and their chief demands that they turn over their weapons. One man shoots two of the warriors before he’s brought down with arrows. Once the other party members have disarmed, a hidden panel opens revealing the maiden chosen as the Sun Goddess, wearing the Aztec mask. She comes out and studies Jim carefully, while the chief gives an order. Sanchez translates, explaining that the chief has ordered them all killed. Jim decides to fulfill the legend, steps forward, and removes the mask from the Goddess. The woman is breathtakingly beautiful and seems flattered by Jim’s attentions. After she exchanges a few words with the chief, he has his men pull Jim back and the Goddess retreats into her hidden chamber.



Sanchez congratulates Jim on her bravery and says that all but two of them will be spared, to match the two warriors the dead man killed. The Goddess has left the choice up to them. The chief has his men escort the surviving expedition members into a cell. Johnson takes a drink of whiskey from his hidden bottle and Slade takes it away from him and slaps him. Sanchez suggests they draw lots but Slade calls for a vote and draws a hidden derringer. Everyone but Sanchez votes to sacrifice Jim and Artie. When Sanchez appeals to Johnson, Jim explains that he’s known for a while that Johnson was impersonating Mallory. Slade admits that he killed Mallory, and that Johnson is a former archeologist and current drunk that he recruited to help him steal the treasure. Sanchez tries to fight but is quickly subdued, and Slade and his men send Jim and Artie out.

The agents are fastened inside of a chamber with hand stocks made of solid jade. The ceiling starts to descend and Jim manages to jar loose his boot heel. He rolls the explosive pellet inside toward the lock on his hand stocks and then twists it over enough to detonate the pellet and blow the lock. Jim then frees Artie with a hidden vial of acid and they find a hidden panel. As the ceiling continues to descend, the agents get out thermite-impregnated cord.

When the guards come take them out, Slade shoots them with his derringer. When Johnson tries to leave with the others, Slade shoves the ex-professor into the cell with the unconscious Sanchez, smashes the bottle of whiskey, and says they don’t need him.

The thermite finally burns through a decorative pole and use it as a lever against the descending ceiling to open the wall panel so they can make their escape.



The Goddess is holding court when Jim and Artie come in. The chief and his warriors bow, believing that they’ve evil gods that have survived the death trap through divine prowess. The Aztecs think that the agents plan to kill them and Jim kisses the Goddess to convince her that they’re friendly gods. When that doesn’t work, he kisses her again and she gets the idea that they’re friends, while Artie goes to get Sanchez.

Slade and his men hear chanting and follow it to a chamber filled with the treasure of the conquistadors. They grab swords and advance on the chanting priests. Jim hears the noise and goes to investigate, grabs one of their discarded rifles, and orders them to surrender. One man throws a chalice at him, disarming Jim, and the others pile on. Jim knocks them out and goes for Slade as he tries to escape. The ringleader falls off the stairs in the struggle and is knocked unconscious.

Later, Jim, Artie, and Sanchez say goodbye to the Goddess and her people. Sanchez translates, explaining that since the agents protected them from their real enemies, they are grateful. All they want is for the trio to leave, never to return. Sanchez tells the Goddess that President Juarez will decide in their favor and the agents assures him that Grant will keep the Aztecs’ secret. The Goddess gives them permission to take one item as a token of their gratitude, but the agents accept only their gratitude.



Later at the Wanderer, Jim and Artie celebrate with Sanchez, who is honored to share a toast with them. Slade, Johnson, and his men are behind bars. The three men share a toast to the Goddess and then Sanchez gives them a gift that the Goddess passed on to give to Jim. It’s the Goddess mask and Jim puts it on the mantle in a place of honor. The men share a toast to friends and leave for dinner. As Jim glances back, he briefly sees the Goddess’ face on the mask, smiling at him and calling him a friend.

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