to the
captive nobles. At the same time Montezuma expressed his surprise and
regret that the Spaniards should have countenanced the rebellion. He had
no doubt, he said, that Cortes and his followers were the
long-looked-for strangers, and therefore of the same lineage as himself.
From deference to them he would spare the Totonacs while they were
present, but the day of vengeance would come. Cortes entertained the
Indians with frank hospitality, taking care, however, to make such a
display of his resources as should impress them with a sense of his
power. Then he dismissed them with a few trifling gifts and a
conciliatory message to the emperor, to the effect that he would soon
pay his respects to him in his capital, when all misunderstanding
between them would certainly be adjusted. The Totonacs were amazed when
they understood the nature of this interview; for, in spite of the
presence of the Spaniards, they had felt great apprehension as to the
consequence of their rash act, and now they felt absolutely in awe of
the strangers who even at a distance could exercise such a mysterious
influence over the terrible Montezuma.

Not long after the cacique of Cempoalla appealed to Cortes to aid him
against a neighbour with whom he had a quarrel. The general at once
marched to support him with a part of his force, but when they reached
the hostile city they were received in a most friendly manner, and
Cortes had no difficulty in reconciling the two chiefs to one another.
In token of gratitude the Indian cacique sent eight noble maidens,
richly decked with collars and ornaments of gold, whom he begged the
general to give as wives to his captains. Cortes seized the opportunity
of declaring that they must first become Christians, and be baptized,
since the sons of the Church could not be allowed to marry idolaters.
The chief replied that his gods were good enough for him, and that he
should at once resent any insults offered to them, even if they did not
avenge themselves by instantly destroying the Spaniards. However, the
general and his followers had seen too much already of the barbarous
rites of the Indian religion and its horrible sacrifices. Without
hesitation they attacked the principal teocalli, whereupon the cacique
called his men to arms, the priests in their blood-stained robes rushed
frantically about among the people, calling upon them to defend their
gods, and all was tumult and confusion. Cortes acted with his usua