The herald., 1895-03-10

that we were approaching. The other six
remained to act as guides. He also order
ed all the firearms to be got ready and that
the horsemen and all should march in
good order.
In this manner we continued our jour
ney until we were within league of the
town, and then there came 20 of the prin-
cipal Indians to receive US on the part of
the Cacique.
They told us that the Chief was too fat
to come himself, but that he was awaiting
us in our quarters in the town. We were
much surprised at the size of the place,
which was the largest we had yet seen in
Mexico, and all the streets were filled with
men and women who had come out to see
us.
When we came to the chief plaza the
Cacique came out to meet us and as he was
very fat, l will hereafter call him the
'sCacioue Gordo." He assigned us good
houses for our quarters and sent us plenty
of provisions. Cortes ordered that no one
should modest the inhabitants, nor leave
the bounds of the plaza. After we had
satisfied our hunger the Cacique Gordo
sent to inform Cortes that he desired to
visit him formally and he came with sew
eral of the principal Indians and gave Cor
ties rich mantles of plumes and some gold,
saying that it was not much, but to re-
ceive it with good WILL as he would have
given more if he had it.
Cortes then through Dona Marina
and Aguilar, told him that we were the
servants of the great Emperor Don Carlos,
who sent us to redress wrongs and punish
the wicked.
When the Cacique heard this he COM
menced to complain of Montezuma and
his Governors, and said that only short
time before they had been conquered by
him and he had taken away all their riches;
that now they did not dare to do anything
but what Montezuma commanded. To
which Cortes replied that he would re-
dress their wrongs, but that at present he
would return to look after his ships. The
next morning we left Cempoal, accom-
panied by four hundred Indians to carry
our baggage and provisions.
We arrived at Quivestlan the next day
at 10 O'Clock in the morning and we re re-
ceived peaceably. We met no Indians I'M
til we arrived at the middle of the town,
where we were received by fifteen of the
principal ones burning incense in braz-
iers While we were still talking with
them the Cacique Gordo arrived, carried
in a hammock, and he and the other Ca
Clique Immediately commenced to COM
plain of Montezuma, how each year
he demanded so many of their sons and
daughters for sacrifice, and they told of
his great power and how he had con-
quered them. While this conversation was
taking place, certain Indians came to tell
the Caciques that the recaudadores or
tribute gatherers of Montezzuma were at
hand, and when they heard this, they lost
color and trembled, and they left Cortes
and went off to receive them. When the
Mexicans entered the town they passed
near where we were, for we were near
the Cacique's house. They were richly
dressed and passed us with a naughty air
without speaking to Cortes or anyone else,
and each one carrying roses in his hand
which they smelled, and accompanied by
other Indians, the principal men of neigh
boring towns. After they had eaten
they sent for the Cacique Gordo and the
Cacique of the town and they reproached
them for receiving us in their towns and
threatened them, saying that Monte
yuma would be displeased with this, for
without his permission they had no right
to receive us nor make us presents, and
they dem anded instantly twenty men or
for sacrifices to placate their gods,
for what they had done. While these
things were thus, Cortes asked Marina
why the Caciques were so troubled since
those Indians had come, and who they
we're. Dona Marina, who well knew what
t meant, explained It to Cortes, who i'm
nediateIy called for the acique Gordo
md the other principal men, and when
hey come he asked them who were those
men who were feasting. They replied the
tribute gath erers of MontezuIna, who came
% find out why they had received us in
heir town and that they now demanded
twenty victims as an offering to Huchi-
obos, their war god, that lac might give
Them victory over us.
: Cortes told them to have no fear, as we
we're with them and would chastise the
Mexicans, and he told tn EN- to impris-
IN them, whereat they were astounded
and very much frightened at the bare
idea OF putting in prison the messengers
Of the great Monteuzma. But Cortes
insisted and they finally put them in
sort of cage which they use as place of
and one of them who
would not submit they beat with clubs.
Cortes now ordered the Caciques to pay
no more tribute to Montez una, and that
if there were any more tribute gatherers
N the other towns they should notify
aim and he would look after them. And
very soon this news was known all over
the province, for the Cacique Gordo i'm
sent out messengers to all the
other towns, and those Indians whom !
he tribute gatherers had brought with !
hem as prisoners, being set at liberty |
hey returned to their own towns and car
red the news. And seeing this thing, so !
marvellous to them, as the imprisOnin g of |
Messengers, they all declared |
that we could not be men but gods, who |
lad dared to do such thing and from |
his they called us Teules goods or de-
mons.
The Caique Gordo and other Indians
low wanted to sacrifice the recaudadores |
If Montezuma, so that none of them could |
20 to Mexico to complain, but when Cor
ies heard of this he ordered that they |
should not be killed, as he wished to pre-