in token of his goodwill, and with a message
which he must deliver in person. He concluded by asking when he could
be admitted into Montezuma's presence. To this the Aztec noble replied
haughtily,

'How is it that you have been here only two days, and demand to see the
emperor?'

Then he added that he was surprised to hear that there could be another
monarch as powerful as Montezuma, but if it were so his master would be
happy to communicate with him, and that he would forward the royal gift
brought by the Spanish commander, and so soon as he had learned
Montezuma's will would inform him of it. Tenhtlile then ordered his
slaves to bring forward the present for the Spanish general. It
consisted of ten loads of fine cotton, several mantles of gorgeous
feather-work, and a wicker basket of golden ornaments. Cortes received
it with due acknowledgments, and in his turn ordered the presents for
Montezuma to be brought forward. These were an armchair richly carved
and painted, a crimson cloth cap with a gold medal, and a quantity of
collars, bracelets, and other ornaments of cut-glass, which in a country
where glass was unknown were as valuable as real gems. The Aztec
governor observed a soldier in the camp in a shining gilt helmet, and
expressed a wish that Montezuma should see it, as it reminded him of one
worn by the god Quetzalcoatl. Cortes declared his willingness that the
helmet should be sent, and begged that the emperor would return it
filled with the gold dust of the country, that he might compare its
quality with that of his own. He also said that the Spaniards were
troubled with a disease of the heart, for which gold was a sure remedy.
In fact, he made his want of gold very clear to the governor. While
these things were passing Cortes observed one of Tenhtlile's attendants
busy with a pencil, and on looking at his work he found it was a sketch
of the Spaniards, their costumes, weapons, and all objects of interest
being correctly represented both in form and colour. This was the
celebrated picture-writing, and the governor said that this man was
drawing all these things for Montezuma, as he would get a much better
idea of their appearance thus. Cortes thereupon ordered out the cavalry,
and caused them to go through their military exercises upon the firm wet
sands of the beach; and the appearance of the horses--which were
absolutely unknown in Mexico--filled the natives with astonishment,
which turned to alarm when