The Mastering of Mexico/Chapter 10
CHAPTER X
What happened to us as we neared the great and splendid City of Mexico; and how we made our bold and daring entrance, and Montezuma met us in solemn state and visited with Cortes.
We had now lain a fortnight at Cholula and had seen the town repeopled, the markets again filled with goods, peace concluded and a cross erected. The troops sent to lie in ambush and attack us had gone back to Mexico, and again Montezuma sent spies to find what our plans were and if we purposed going to his city. Again, therefore, our captain called a council of those officers and soldiers in whose loyalty and judgment he had confidence, and it was agreed that we should send a friendly message to Montezuma. "We had now carried out the command of our king," the message went, "journeying over many seas and through far distant lands solely to see him and tell him what it would be greatest advantage for him to know. We had taken the road to Cholula because his ambassadors had guided us, and there we had been forced to punish some of the people who had treacherously plotted to kill us. Convinced of his friendship, we were setting out at once for his great city." When Montezuma heard this message of ours, and learned that we did not lay blame for the Cholulan disaster at his door, he again began to fast with his papas, and also to make sacrifices to his gods in order to learn If they would permit him to allow us to enter the city. The answer they gave was like their first—that he should allow us to enter the metropolis and then slay us at his pleasure. So it came about that Montezuma despatched six chiefs bearing gold and jewels, valued at about two thousand dollars, and several loads of richly embroidered stuffs. Introduced to the presence of Cortes, these caciques In reverence touched the ground with their hands and standing before our captain said, "Malinche, our ruler, Montezuma, sends you this present and begs you to accept it with the same kindness he bears you and your brothers. The troubles the people of Cholula caused you weigh grievously on him. Be assured of his friendship and go to his city whenever you like. He will receive you with honors. He can not entertain you as he might wish, because he has nothing to give you to eat, owing to his city standing In the midst of a lake, but he will endeavor to do all he is able, and has ordered all towns through which you pass to supply your every need."
We set out from Cholula with our usual precautions, a few of our cavalry in advance to examine the country ahead, our active foot soldiers close behind to clear the road and help in case of an ambush. On our several days' march we passed through a number of towns and villages, from which the caciques and papas brought us food and small presents of gold and stuffs; and, moreover, quite secretly to the Mexican ambassadors, complained bitterly of Montezuma and his tax collectors, how they robbed them of all they possessed and reduced their wives and daughters, if they were handsome, to base servitude; enslaving the men also to carry timber, stones and maize by water and land, and plant the monarch's cornfield, and finally forcing them to give up their own lands to support the temples of the gods.
As we marched onward still other Mexican chiefs bearing a present of gold and cloth appeared before Cortes and addressed him as their forerunners had done. "Malinche," they said, "our lord, the great Montezuma, sends you this present and expresses his sorrow for the many hardships you have suffered in your exhausting journey to see him. He has already sent you quantities of silver and gold and chalchihuites as tribute to your sovereign, and presents to you and the teules with you. But now he begs you not to advance further, but to return whence you have come. Gold, silver and rich stones he promises to send you to your port on the coast, but he altogether forbids you to enter Mexico. You can get in only by a narrow causeway; there is no food for you to eat, and all his troops are under arms to oppose you."
However unpleasant this message might have been to Cortes, he received the ambassadors with kindness and accepted their presents. He marvelled, he went on to tell them, how their lord, Montezuma, who was so great a prince and had named himself our friend, could so often change his mind, one day saying one thing, the next countermanding it. Would it be right for us, after we, in carrying out the commands of our king, had come so near the city to turn back? We had no choice left. In one way or another we must enter. From now on Montezuma must send no more such messages as this, for Cortes was bound to see him and to set forth the whole purpose for which he had come. Then, after we had told our errand, if our stay in the city annoyed him, we would return. As to what they said about there being little food in Mexico, we were used to scant diet.
With this answer Cortes sent the ambassadors back. But we, for our part, became more thoughtful. We were mortals and feared death, and the cages in which they fattened victims, and their threats that they would seize and sacrifice us before their idols. Now, doubly on guard in the thickly populated country, we made short days' marches, arranged the manner we should enter the great city. and commended ourselves to God with faith that the power that had vouchsafed us protection in the past would guard us against the evils of Mexico.
To a town in which we rested Montezuma now despatched his nephew, Cacamatzin, lord of Texcoco, to bid us welcome. The young man came toward us in great pomp, seated in a litter richly wrought with silver, and green feathers, and many precious stones set in finest gold, and borne by eight caciques upon their shoulders. They came to the front of Cortes' quarters and then they aided Cacamatzin out of the litter and swept clean the ground before him. In all his splendor standing before Cortes, the cacique said, "Malinche, I and these chiefs have come to wait upon and provide you and your comrades all that you may need, and to conduct you to quarters we have prepared for you in our city. The powerful Montezuma commands this."
In the way he knew so well Cortes answered with many fine things, and we then continued our march. Vast crowds, both followers of the caciques and curious country folks, so surrounded us that we could scarcely move along. Next morning we arrived at a broad causeway, when we saw many towns and villages built in the lake, and other large towns on the land, with the level causeway running in a straight line to Mexico. We were astounded and told one another that the majestic towers and houses, all of massive stone and rising out of the waters, were like enchanted castles we had read of in books. Indeed, some of our men even asked if what we saw was not a dream.
And when we entered the city of Iztapalapa, our quarters in palaces!—their spacious courts, their hewn stone and cedar and other sweet-scented wood! their great rooms canopied with cotton cloth! After we had taken a good look at this we went to the gardens, where I could not gratify myself too much with the trees which spread delightful scents, the rose bushes, the flower beds and fruit trees, the freshwater pond, and openings built of many-colored stones so that large canoes could pass to the garden from the lake. Water-loving birds of many kinds were swimming up and down the pond, and everything was charming. We could not find words to express our astonishment.
Escorted by all the great caciques who had thronged to us the past few days, we left Iztapalapa early next morning, and marched along the causeway, there about eight paces in width. Broad as it was, it was much too narrow to hold the crowds who kept coming to gaze at us. We could scarcely move along. The tops of the temples and towers were crowded also, while the lake beneath was alive with canoes bearing people eager to catch a glimpse of us. And who can wonder!—for never had they seen horses, nor men such as we!
As for ourselves, we did not know what to think, or whether what we beheld was real. On one side of us large towns, in the lake many more, the canoe-covered lake itself, and before us the splendor of the great city of Mexico! Innumerable crowds!—and we—not even four hundred men!—and all remembering the warnings given by friendly tribes not to trust our lives to the treachery of a people who would kill us as soon as they had us in their town. In all the world what men have ever ventured so bold a deed as this!
When we had come to where another small causeway branched off other caciques, all clad in splendid mantles, met us and, touching the ground with their hands in token of peace, bade us welcome in the name of Montezuma. We halted a good while at this fork, for Cacamatzin and other chiefs with us went forward to meet the ruler, now slowly approaching, seated in a litter surrounded by caciques. When we had again advanced to a place where several small towers rose together, the monarch got down from his litter, the chief caciques supporting him under the arms and holding over his head a canopy wrought with green feathers, gold and silver embroidery, pearls and chalchihuite stones—all very wonderful. 
When Cortes learned that Montezuma was coming near, he dismounted from his horse and advanced to meet him. Many compliments passed between the two, Montezuma bidding Cortes welcome, and our captain, through Donna Marina, hoping his majesty was in good health. If I remember aright, Cortes offered Montezuma the place of honor on the right, but he gave his hand to Cortes, who now brought out a necklace of glass stones, of the most beautiful shapes and colors, strung on gold wire and perfumed with musk. This he hung round the neck of Montezuma, and when he had placed it he was going to embrace the monarch, but the caciques held him back that he should not do their ruler so great an indignity. Through the words of Donna Marina Cortes then told how glad his heart was at meeting Montezuma face to face, and of the honor he had done us in coming himself to meet us. Montezuma, also, for his part spoke words of politeness, and then ordered the two caciques who were his nephews to conduct us to our quarters, he himself returning to the city with his numerous suite. As they passed us we stood watching how all paid him formal veneration and marched with head bent forward and eyes fixed on the ground. The road before us was now less crowded, and yet who could count the vast number of men, women and children gathered merely to look upon us!
Our quarters were in a building where there was room enough for all of us, apartments which had been occupied in his lifetime by the father of Montezuma. They chose it for our dwelling because it was near by temples with idols, and since they termed us teules and thought us such, that we might dwell as equals by their gods. The chambers were very spacious, and those set apart for our captain were canopied with cloth. Every one of us had his own bed of matting, and no better bed is given, how great soever the chief. Notwithstanding the large size of the building every place was swept clean, coated with fresh plaster and garlanded.
When we came to the great court-yard of the palace Montezuma, himself, was waiting and he took Cortes by the hand and led him to the richly decorated apartment where he was to lodge. And he hung about the neck of our captain a rich necklace, most curiously wrought of golden crabs, astonishing the caciques of his suite by the honor he bestowed until he took leave, saying, "Malinche, you and your brothers must now do as If you were at home, and rest after your wearisome journey." He then returned to his own palace close by, while we divided our lodgings by companies, placed our cannon in advantageous position and so studied our orders that we could be ready at a moment's notice. We then sat down to a plentiful dinner which they spread before us. Thus was our memorable and daring entrance into the great city of Mexico on the 8th day of November, in the year of our Lord, 1519.
After Montezuma had dined and had learned that we, likewise, had eaten, he came with the pomp of a company of kinsmen to pay us a visit. Cortes, hearing of his approach, went to the middle of the hall to receive him, where Montezuma took our captain by the hand and seated him next himself on gold-wrought seats his followers had brought. The monarch then began to speak in most excellent fashion, saying first of all that he was delighted to entertain gentlemen so valiant as Cortes and all of us. A couple of years before he had had news of one captain who came to Chanpoton, and last year they had brought account of another with four ships. Each time he had wished to see them, and now that his wishes were fulfilled he was ready to render us service and provide for us with whatever he had; for assuredly we were those of whom his forefathers had spoken—a folk, who should come from where the sun rose and rule these lands. He no longer doubted since we had fought the battles, which he had seen in pictures true to life, against the Tabascans and Tlaxcalans.
In his turn Cortes said we should never be able to repay him the courtesies he had shown us, and it was indeed true that we came from where the sun rose and were subjects of a ruler who held many and great princes in his sway,—a king who, having heard of Montezuma and his power, had sent us to see him and beg him and his people to become Christians and adore one true God for their souls' salvation.
After this conference Montezuma presented our captain with some very rich gold baubles and three loads of cotton stuffs splendidly worked with feathers, and to every soldier two loads of mantles—all he gave seemingly with pleasure, and in all he did he showed good breeding. He further asked if we were all brothers and all subjects of our great king, and Cortes answered yes, brothers in affection and friendship. He ordered his stewards to give us fowls and fruits with maize and milling stones, and to furnish women to grind our corn and make our bread. He ordered fodder, also, for our horses, after which he took leave with great courtesy. Nevertheless, our captain issued strict orders that no one should stir from our quarters until we knew better just how affairs stood.
Next day Cortes determined to visit the monarch in his own palace, after sending to ask if with what he planned to do a visit from him would be agreeable. On our arrival Montezuma advanced to the middle of the hall to meet us. Only his nephews were with him, for none but kinsmen entered his rooms. After their first reverential greetings were over, he and our captain took each other by the hand and Montezuma seated Cortes at his right hand, and bade all of us take seats which he had ordered brought in. Then through his interpreters Cortes spoke at considerable length, telling Montezuma how, in coming to talk with so great a ruler, we fulfilled the commands of our king and our own wishes; that he had now come to disclose the commands of the true God, who created heaven, earth, the sea and every living thing, without whose holy will nothing existed, and he begged the attention of Montezuma to these words of his that we are all brothers, and that such a brother as our-great king grieved to think so many human souls should be led to hell by these idols; for this reason he had sent us to put an end to such misery and to exhort the people no longer to adore such gods, nor to sacrifice human brothers to them, nor to kidnap and commit other offences; and shortly our king would send men of holy lives who would explain more fully; of these we were merely first messengers, and begged them to do what we asked.
In turn Montezuma answered, "Malinche, what you have just been telling of your God I have understood before now, from what you said to my ambassadors on the sand dunes, and from what you have stated about the cross in the towns through which you have come. We have not made any answer because here from long ages we have worshipped our own gods and believed them good gods, just as you have worshipped yours; therefore let us talk more on the subject. As to the creation of the world, we, too, believe it was created ages ago, and for this reason we think you are those people whom our ancestors foretold should come from the region of the sunrise. I feel myself indebted to your great king and I will give him of whatever I possess." He also continued, saying that now the gods had fulfilled his wish of seeing the strange men coming to his coast, and we were in his dwelling, we should deem it our home and rest from our exhaustion, for we should want nothing. Sometimes, it is true, he had sent us word that we should not enter his city, but not of his own will, his subjects had forced him, for they feared us and said we shot out lightning and fire, and killed many Indians with our horses and were unruly teules—these and other childish tales. But now he had seen us, and he knew we were of flesh and bone, and of sound understanding and enduring courage, and he thought more highly of us than he had before and was ready to share all he had with us.
Cortes and all of us answered that we thanked him for this evidence of his very friendly feeling, whereupon Montezuma said, laughing, for he was always of a bright, merry manner, "I know very well, Malinche, what those close allies of yours, the Tlaxcalans, have told you about me, how I am a sort of god or teul and my houses are filled with gold, silver and precious stones. Reasonable men such as you of course put no faith in their talk and took it for nonsense, but now, Malinche, you see for yourself that my body is of flesh and bone like yours. I am, to be sure, a powerful monarch, and have inherited treasures from my forefathers, but the rest they told is nonsense. You must think of that as I think of your lightning and flames scattered in all directions."
Cortes laughingly answered, "We knew from of old that enemies neither speak well of each other. nor tell the truth; and we well knew that in this quarter of the world there was not another so illustrious monarch, and not without reason had he been praised to our king."
While this conversation went on Montezuma had secretly sent one of his nephews with orders to his stewards to bring certain pieces of gold and ten loads of cotton, which he now divided between Cortes and the four officers present; and to each of us five soldiers present he gave two chains of gold for the neck and two loads of cotton cloth. Everything he gave was with the best of will, and with an air of dignity befitting a great monarch.
It was now past noon and Cortes began to fear that our longer stay might prove tedious, so rising from his seat he said, "Montezuma, in your kindness you have the habit of every day heaping favor on favor. But it is now your dinner hour." The monarch in turn thanked us for coming to visit him, and taking our leave with many courtesies we returned to our lodgings.