ce more requested them to bear this message to their master, with
another trifling gift. This they seemed unwilling to do, and took their
leave repeating that the general's wish could not be gratified. The
soldiers were by this time suffering greatly from the heat, surrounded
as they were by burning sands and evil-smelling marshes, and swarms of
venomous insects which tormented them night and day. Thirty of their
number died, and the discomfort of the rest was greatly increased by
the indifference of the natives, who no longer brought them such
abundant supplies, and demanded an immense price for what they did
provide. After ten days the Mexican envoys returned, bearing another
rich present of stuffs and gold ornaments, which, though not so valuable
as the first, was yet worth three thousand ounces of gold. Beside this
there were four precious stones, somewhat resembling emeralds, each of
which they assured the Spaniards was worth more than a load of gold, and
was destined as a special mark of respect for the Spanish monarch, since
only the nobles of Mexico were allowed to wear them. Unfortunately,
however, they were of no value at all in Europe. Montezuma's answer was
the same as before. He positively forbade the strangers to approach
nearer to his capital, and requested them to take the treasure he had
bestowed upon them, and return without delay to their own country.
Cortes received this unwelcome message courteously, but coldly, and
turning to his officers exclaimed, 'This is a rich and powerful prince
indeed, yet it shall go hard but we will one day pay him a visit in his
capital.' Father Olmedo then tried to persuade the Aztec chiefs to give
up their idol-worship, and endeavoured by the aid of Marina and Aguilar
to explain to them the mysteries of his own faith, but it is probable
that he was not very successful. The chiefs presently withdrew coldly,
and that same night every hut was deserted by the natives, and the
Spaniards were left without supplies in a desolate wilderness. Cortes
thought this so suspicious that he prepared for an attack, but
everything remained quiet.

The general now decided to remove his camp to a more healthy place a
little farther along the coast, where the ships could anchor and be
sheltered from the north wind. But the soldiers began to grumble and be
discontented, and to say that it was time to return with their spoil,
and not linger upon those barren shores until they had brought the w