The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-08-08
Ills TSTS NIT HOSE Or THE PRlNQ55 N[NETZJN

throat by Q clasp of gold and hung gracefully from his shoulders. The man. tie wss wrought with pearls and emer- aids and pearls of wonderful luster and sheen were amid the green plumes of the panache His sash was likewise embroid- cred with gems and edged with firing Of gold, while pearls and gold and emeralds almost concealed the thongs of his san dals, the soles of which were entirely Of gold Upon his breast, against the rich embroidery of his tunic. blazed the in- signa of the military orders of the realm
 Four great lords went before as his heralds. They were fully armed, even to the shield. Their helmets were of g1isten- ing silver and their tunics of quilted armor were stained a vivid green and bordered at the neck and sleeves with pearls Over their shoulders hung cloaks of green featherwork of wonderful beauty and these, too. were edged with gems
 From knee to ankle and from wrist to elbow their arms and legs were sheathed in scales of gold.
 The company which met the gorgeous monarch at the causeway was not un- worthy of the presence. It was composed of men-few in numbers, it is true. but stout of heart-and who had fought in many a cline. They were palmers of pike and shield, who followed the morning around the world preaching, in all good
 faith. Christianity with the spear and sword, and assured that heaven stopped lowest over the richest plantations.
 They rode clad in full armor, Cortez, Alvarado, Sandoval, Bernal Diaz, all those knights who have gone down to history as most famous among the conquestadors Then there was the wise and good k ather Olmedo riding upon mule and clad in plain rode of dark brown. He bore aloft a spear whose point was cross or lron A select company of guards surrounded the banner of Spain, which was flung to the winds from lofty lance. Followed the crossbowmen and the arquebusiers. Then the artillery, the cannon drawn py slaves and the gunners at their stations with lighted matches.
 Of the Spaniards there were scarcely 200. After them followed their Tlascalan allies 2Ooo strong. All the knights wore
 
 carried his casque for him and the spec tators had good look at that white face, those golden curls, that shining expression which had caused the Aztecs to give him the name of Tonitiah, Child of the Sun. As the splendid litter of Montezuma, preceded by the heralds, approached, Cor tez dismounted and went on foot to greet the monarch. Montezuma, stepping from his palanquin, shone dazzling in the sun. Cortez opened his arms with the inten- tion of embracing him after the Spanish manner. But a cry of horror at the at- tempted proclamation which arose from the multitude and the Interpretation of the heralds warned the leader of the invaders that he was violating some sacred custom of the people. The king himself, regaining his composure, welcomed the Spaniards to the city with courtly phrases, to which Cortez as courteously replied This con versation was carried on through the medium of Marina, the woman whom the Spaniards had found captive in Yucatan when they made their landing there on their way to Mexico and who became not only interpreter for them but the close friend and companion of Cortez. She was Aztec born and her Aztec name was |, Malinche, the name which the sons of Anahuac transferred to Cortez himself It is difficult to say just what the rela- , tions were between Cortez and Marina | as the spaniards named her. At any rate | the scandal, if there be one, is too old and the two have made history and passed on When Montezuma had entered his litter again and set out on his return to the palace with his train. the Spaniards were | guided by officials detailed for the pur- 1 pose to the quarters assigned them, the l old palace formerly occupied by the em-