f them of
considerable extent--on the surface of the lake, covered with
flowers and shrubs. The scene was the most beautiful that had ever
met their eyes, and they were filled with delight and admiration.

Halfway across the causeway they came upon the fort of Xoloc. Here
a massive stone wall, twelve feet high, crossed the dike, and
stretched out on to the lake on either side. Towers were erected at
its angles and, properly defended, it could have resisted the
attack of an army.

An archway gave passage through the wall. Here a great number of
nobles were assembled, who welcomed the Spaniards with formal
ceremony; and the army then marched forward along the dike, till it
reached a wooden drawbridge near the gate of the city.

As they crossed this a splendid procession was seen approaching. It
was preceded by three great officers of state, bearing golden
wands; behind them the emperor himself lay in his palanquin, borne
on the shoulders of nobles, with a canopy of rich feather work
sparkling with jewels above his head. Montezuma alighted when
within a short distance, and with the canopy still carried over his
head, and leaning upon his brother and nephew, he advanced towards
Cortez.

The general, dismounting, went forward with a few of his principal
officers to meet him. The emperor received his guest with courtesy,
and expressed his pleasure at seeing him in his capital; while
Cortez replied with expressions of profound respect, accompanied by
thanks for the superb presents that Montezuma had sent him. The
emperor re-entered his litter, and the Spaniards followed, with
music playing and colors flying.

Although already familiar with Mexican architecture, they were
astonished by the magnificence of the buildings that bordered the
great streets along which they marched. Here were the mansions of
the nobles, built of a red porous stone and covering a large space
of ground. The flat roofs were protected by stone parapets, and
many of them were laid out as gardens. Between these mansions were
broad terraces, which presented a mass of flowers. Here and there
were great marketplaces, surrounded by porticoes of stone; and
above all the temples, with their towering pyramids, rose high in
the air.

Along the whole line, crowds of people watched the procession of
the troops; gazing with surprise and admiration at the cavaliers on
horseback, and at the flashing armor and arms of the Spaniards; and
with wrath and indignati