Jump to content

Page:The Mastering of Mexico.djvu/207

From Wikisource
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
What We Saw in Mexico
171

black robes with hoods shaped like those worn by Dominican friars. The hair of these papas was long and matted with clotted blood. At no great distance from this place of skulls stood other temples to still other gods said to be protectors of marriage. One, where abominable human sacrifices were offered, was for men, and another for women in which women made sacrifices and held festivals in endeavor to induce the gods to give them good husbands.

Cortes and the rest of us at last grew weary of seeing so many idols and the horrible utensils used about them and we returned to our lodgings accompanied by the many caciques Montezuma had sent as our escort.