in
replying expressed the greatest respect for Montezuma, but urged his own
sovereign's commands as a reason for disregarding his wishes. He added
that though he had not at present the power of requiting his generosity
as he could wish, he trusted 'to repay him at some future day with good
works.' You will hear before long how he kept his word.

The Mexican ambassadors were anything but pleased at finding the war at
an end and a firm friendship established between their mortal enemies
and the Spaniards, and the general saw with some satisfaction the
evidences of a jealousy between them, which was his surest hope of
success in undermining the Mexican empire. Two of the Aztecs presently
returned to acquaint Montezuma with the state of affairs; the others
remained with the Spaniards, Cortes being willing that they should see
the deference paid to him by the Tlascalans, who were most anxious for
his presence in their city.

[Illustration]

The city of Tlascala lay about six leagues away from the Spanish camp,
and the road led through a hilly region, and across a deep ravine over
which a bridge had just been built for the passage of the army; they
passed some towns by the way, where they were received with the greatest
hospitality. The people flocked out to meet them, bringing garlands of
roses, with which they decorated the Spanish soldiers, and wreathed
about the necks of their horses. Priests in their white robes mingled
with the crowd, scattering clouds of incense from their censers, and
thus escorted the army slowly made its way through the gates of the city
of Tlascala. Here the press became so great that it was with difficulty
that a passage was cleared for it. The flat housetops were crowded with
eager spectators, while garlands of green boughs, roses, and
honeysuckle were thrown across the streets, and the air was rent with
songs and shouts and the wild music of the national instruments.
Presently the procession halted before the palace of the aged
Xicotencatl, the father of the general, and Cortes dismounted from his
horse, that the blind old man might satisfy his natural curiosity
respecting him, by passing his hand over his face. He then led the way
to a spacious hall, where a banquet was served to the whole army, after
which, quarters were assigned to them in a neighbouring teocalli, the
Mexican ambassadors being, at the desire of Cortes, lodged next to
himself that he might the better protect them in the cit