While all hands were at work upon the new town, messengers once again appeared from Montezuma. His anger, greatly excited by the first reports of the seizure of his officers, had been mitigated by the favorable report of those who had been allowed to escape; and he now sent two of his own nephews, accompanied by four old lords, and a splendid retinue. Acknowledgments were made by the embassy for the service rendered by Cortez in setting the two tax-gatherers at liberty; but he was, at the same time, vehemently requested to leave the country, and not hinder, by the respect due to his presence, the just punishment of the rebels with whom he was cohabiting. He was adjured not to dream of making further progress towards the royal court, "for that the impediments and dangers of that journey were very great. On which point they enlarged with a mysterious tediousness; this being the principal point of their instructions." Cortez replied that danger and difficulties would but give zest to the adventure, for that Spaniards knew no fear, and only sought for glory and renown. He entertained the ministers handsomely, and dismissed them with presents. The Zempoalans thought that the friendship cemented between them and the foreigners could not be taken advantage of better than by engaging them to subdue a neighboring tribe, whose chief town was called Cingapacinga. They therefore induced Cortez, by pretending that a troublesome Mexican garrison was quartered there, to assist them in conquering the country. With four hundred Spaniards, and a great company of Zempoalans, the Spanish leader entered the mountain district where the enemy was to be sought. As the army approached the town, eight old priests, in black and hooded robes, like friars, came out to deprecate his anger. These functionaries presented, as usual, the most disgusting and horrible appearance. Their long hair was tangled and clotted with human blood, which it was a part of their rules should never be washed off, and their persons were filthy, loathsome, and offensive beyond conception. Cortez discovered that he had been deceived, as no Mexicans were in the vicinity, but he put a good face on the matter, and succeeded in making a peaceable arrangement between the rival tribes. Returning to Zempoala, renewed evidence was brought before the eyes of this zealous Catholic, of the extent to which the custom of human sacrifice was carried; and especially of the sale and consumption of the bodies of the victims as a "sacred food." He therefore concluded to prostrate the idols, and set up the insignia of the true religion. Long and earnest harangues failed to induce the natives to perform this service themselves: they would be cut to pieces, they said, ere they would be guilty of such sacrilege. The soldiers then broke up and destroyed the images, purged the temples, and, covering the bloody marks of pagan worship with lime and plaster, erected an altar, and celebrated the rites of Catholicism. As no prodigy or signal vengeance from Heaven followed the audacious act, the pliable natives seemed readily to fall in with the proposed change, and, burning the fragments of their idols, they aped the posture and formula of the devout Spaniards. An old and partially disabled soldier, named Torres, agreed to remain as keeper of the newly-consecrated temple, on the departure of the troops. CHAPTER IV. THE MARCH TO TLASCALA. · OCCUPATION OF THE CITY. - GREAT MASSACRE AT CHOLULU. — ENTRANCE INTO THE CITY OF MEXICO, AND INTERVIEW WITH MONTEZUMA. — DESCRIPTION OF THE TEMPLE, ETC. "What divine monsters, O ye gods, are these DRYDEN. THE bold and adventurous leader of the Spaniards began to set in earnest about his work of conquest. He despatched one ship direct for Spain, to obtain a confirmation from the sovereign of his authority in New Spain; and, with the consent of most of his companions, dismantled and sunk the rest of the fleet, that all might be nerved to the most desperate efforts by the alternative.presented them of death or complete success. Leaving a garrison at the coast settlement, he commenced his march into the interior, accompanied by a body of Zempoalans. The Indians of Jalapa, Socochima, and Texucla, offered them no molestation, and, after enduring great hardships in the passage of the rugged mountains, the army reached Zocothlan.. Near the religious temples of this town, Diaz affirms, with repeated asseverations, that he saw human skeletons, so orderly arranged, that their numbers could be computed with certainty, and that they could not have amounted to less than one hundred thousand. Beside these were huge piles of skulls and bones: other remnants of mortality were hung from beams. Three priests had charge of these relics. Contrary to the advice of the cacique of this province, Cortez determined to pass through the country of Tlascala, whose inhabitants were inimical to Montezuma. Four Zempoalan Indians, decked out in the style deemed suitable for ambassadors, and bearing arrows, feathered with white, and carried point downwards, in token of a peaceful mission, were sent to wait on the Tlascalan authorities. They were received with respect by the senate or chief council, whose members were ranged in order, in a great hall, seated upon low chairs, each made from a single block of some remarkable wood. Great debate ensued as to whether the strangers should be permitted to pass through the country. On the one hand, ancient prophecies were cited of an invincible race that should come from the East. The remarkable fulfilment in the landing of these white men, of many attendant circumstances foretold, touching the ships, arms, and valor of the invaders, was enlarged upon, and it was pronounced madness to cope with them. On the other hand, it was suggested that the Spaniards might be nothing better than "monsters flung up by the sea upon the coasts," and, if not, that their sacrilege and cruelties forbade the idea that they could be other than evil and avaricious barbarians, who should be crushed as noxious reptiles. It was concluded to try the strength of the whites, and, if they could not be resisted, the assault should be attributed to the intractability of the Ottomies, a nation of rude and warlike mountaineers. The result might readily be foreseen: no force, however overwhelming in numbers, could resist the firearms, the discipline, and more especially the horses of the Spaniards. These animals ("supernatural or monstrous in their imagination ") so terrified the Indians, that they trod one another under foot in efforts to escape from the rush of the little corps of cavalry. In several engagements, although under advantageous circumstances, as in ambus cades and night attacks, the Tlascalans were routed, and vast numbers of their warriors were slaughtered. Cortez, to strike further terror, cut off the hands or thumbs of fourteen or fifteen captives, and sent them to their own people to report what manner of men he and his followers were. Montezuma, hearing of these successes, sent more messengers to endeavor to persuade Cortez not to make further advance, and at the same time to obstruct the conclusion of a peace between him and the Tlascalans. These efforts failed signally: Xicotencal, the general of the opposing forces, in behalf of the town and nation, made an amicable settlement of difficulties with the Spaniards. With great pomp and ceremony, Cortez marched his army into the town of Tlascala, on the 23d of September, (1519). The situation of the place was rugged and mountainous, giving the streets great irregularity; but the buildings were substantial, and the fortifications massive. Here the army tarried twenty days, and then marched for Cholula, a great city, entirely subject to the emperor. Before they set out, Montezuma had again sent heralds to announce his final consent to a meeting, and that quarters for the Spanish troops should be made ready at Cholula. Several thousand Tlascalans, armed and equipped, voluntarily offered their services, and the whole army reached Cholula without molestation. Here the magnates of the town met them, objecting to the entrance of the Indian allies, as they had been enemies of the nation; and it was agreed that the Spaniards and Zempoalans alone should be quartered in the city, while the rest should encamp in the suburbs. Here were seen evidences of greater wealth, and higher attainments in architectural skill, than at any place before visited. The caciques appeared friendly, and furnished provisions for the troops for several days; but finally discontinued both their visits and supplies. This |