The herald., 1895-04-07

our quarters with some of his mobiles and
Captains, and we placed guards and senti-
nels and otherwise he was not molested
in any way. Presently there came his
nephews and chief mobiles to learn the
reason of his coming to our quarters and
ask if they should make war on us. Monte
yuma replied that he had come of his own
free will and merely to crafty desire to
spend a few days with us, and that when
he desired their services he would in
form them, and that they should not dis
turb the peace of the city by talking of
war nor feel at all anxious for his safety,
for Huitzlipotzi had advised it as he had
been informed by certain Papas VINO had
conversed with the war God.
And this was the way the great Monte
yuma was imprisoned. and in our quar-
ters he had his servants and his women
and his baths, and he always had with
him twenty of his chief councillors, and
he showed no anger at his imprison-
ment.
And here there came to see him ambas-
sadors from distant provinces with suits,
or bringing tribute or to advise with him
over matters OF great Importance. And l
remember that no matter how great the
Cacique nor how many towns he owned
nor how many vassals nor how rich he
was, when he arrived at the palace he en-
tered by side door and before presenting
himself to MOntezuma he took off his rich
mantle and put on coarse one OF Mcqueen,
and took off his sandals also, and when
he came before Montezuma with eyes cast
on the ground he said Lord, my Lord,
Great Lord" and then presented a writ
ten statement of the business on which
he came This was usually painted on
cloth of neque or thin earthen tablets;
and there were always onssuch occasions
standing near kMontezuma two old Caci-
ques. and when they had discussed the
mo ~ nE H.
formed MonteZuma of the law and in
few words he gave his decision. The suitor
then withdrew, backing out of the pres
ence of the King after making three great
reverences.
But we will leave the matter Of the i'm
prisonment of MonteZuma and tell how
the messengers sent with his royal signet
returned with the Captains who had made
war on Juan de Escalante and brought
them before MonteZuma, and what passed
between them | do not know. only that
he sent them to Cortes to examine and
execute justice upon them. They con-
fessed that what they did was done by
order of Montezuma, who had command
ed them to collect the tribute from To-
tonac towns, and that if the Teules under
took to defend them, to attack and slay
them.
When the confession was made Cortes
sent to advise Montezuma of its nature
and informing him how it condemned
him in this matter. He replied, exculpat-
ing himself as best he could. Cortes then
sent to him. saying that he believed him,
but that even If he had merited punish
ment he. Cortes, loved him so well that
he would rather suffer himself than that
it should be inflicted on Montezuma.
Without any further arguments Cortes
sentenced the Mexican CAPITA ms to be
burnt at the stake in front of the palace
of Montezuma. and had the sentence put
into immediate execution; and in order
that there might be no interruption, and
to make sure of Montezuma in case of
riots, he ordered him to be put in chains.
Montezuma was indeed sad and broken