e following day the army marched off
again to the town of Chiahuitztla, which stood like a fortress on a crag
overlooking the gulf. Though the inhabitants were alarmed at first, they
soon became friendly, and the chiefs came to confer with Cortes and the
cacique of Cempoallo, who had accompanied him, carried in a litter. Just
then there was a stir among the people, and five men entered the
market-place where they were standing. By their rich and peculiar dress
they seemed to belong to a different race: their dark glossy hair was
tied in a knot at the top of the head, and they carried bunches of
flowers in their hands. Their attendants carried wands, or fans, to
brush away the flies and insects from their lordly masters. These
persons passed the Spaniards haughtily, scarcely deigning to return
their salutations, and they were immediately joined by the Totonac
chiefs, who seemed anxious to conciliate them by every sort of
attention. The general, much astonished, inquired of Marina what this
meant, and she replied that these were Aztec nobles empowered to receive
tribute for Montezuma.

Soon after the chiefs returned in dismay, saying that the Aztecs were
very angry with them for entertaining the Spaniards without the
emperor's permission, and had demanded twenty young men and maidens to
be sacrificed to the gods as a punishment. Cortes was most indignant at
this insolence, and insisted that the Totonacs should not only refuse
the demand, but should also seize the Aztec nobles, and throw them into
prison. This they did, but the Spanish general managed to get two of
them freed in the night, and brought before him. He then very cunningly
made them believe that he regretted the indignity that had been offered
them, and would help them to get away safely, and the next day would do
his best to release their companions. He also told them to report this
to Montezuma, assuring him of the great respect and regard in which he
was held by the Spaniards. Them he sent them away secretly to the port,
and they were taken in one of the vessels, and landed safely at a little
distance along the coast. The Totonacs were furious at the escape of
some of their prisoners, and would at once have sacrificed the
remainder, had not Cortes expressed the utmost horror at the idea, and
sent them on board one of the ships for safe keeping, whence he very
soon allowed them to join their companions. This artful proceeding had,
as we shall presently see,