aders into irons and sent them on board one of the ships,
while he sent the soldiers on a foraging expedition into the surrounding
country. By the time these returned with supplies they had altered their
minds, and joined their companions in arms, pledging themselves to a
common cause, while even the cavaliers on board the ship came to the
same conclusion, and were reconciled to the new government, and were
from that time staunch adherents to Cortes.

[Illustration]

Peace being thus restored, the army set out to march northwards to the
place where it had been decided to build the town. They crossed a river
in rafts and broken canoes which they found upon its bank, and presently
came to a very different scene from the burning sandy waste, which they
had left. The wide plains were covered with green grass, and there were
groves of palms, among which the Spaniards saw deer and various wild
animals, and flocks of pheasants and turkeys. On their way they passed
through a deserted village, in the temples of which they found records
in the picture-writing, and also, to their horror, the remains of
sacrificed victims. As they proceeded up the river they were met by
twelve Indians, sent by the cacique of Cempoalla to show them the way to
his town. The farther they went the more beautiful did the country
become. The trees were loaded with gorgeous fruits and flowers, and
birds and butterflies of every hue abounded. As they approached the
Indian city they saw gardens and orchards on each side of the road, and
were met by crowds of natives, who mingled fearlessly with the soldiers,
bringing garlands of flowers, in which they specially delighted, to deck
the general's helmet and to hang about the neck of his horse. The
cacique, who was tall and very fat, received Cortes with much courtesy,
and assigned to the army quarters in a neighbouring temple, where they
were well supplied with provisions, and the general received a present
of gold and fine cotton. But in spite of all this friendliness he
neglected no precautions, stationing sentinels, and posting his
artillery so as to command the entrance. The following morning Cortes
paid the cacique a visit at his own residence, and, by the aid of
Marina, a long conference was held in which the Spanish general gained
much important information, and promised to aid the Totonacs against
Montezuma, and prevent him from carrying off their young men and maidens
to be sacrificed to his gods. Th