Tlascala, and
was most populous and flourishing. The inhabitants excelled in the art
of working in metals and manufacturing cotton cloth and delicate
pottery, but were indisposed to war, and less distinguished for courage
than for cunning. You will remember that it was in this place that the
god Quetzalcoatl had paused on his way to the coast, and in his honour a
tremendous pyramid had been erected, probably by building over a natural
hill, and on the top of this rose a gorgeous temple, in which stood an
image of the god bedecked with gold and jewels. To this temple pilgrims
flocked from every corner of the empire, and many were the terrible
sacrifices offered there, as, indeed, in all the other teocallis, of
which there were about four hundred in the city. On the day appointed,
the Spanish army set out for Cholula, followed by crowds of citizens,
who admired the courage displayed by this little handful of men in
proposing to brave the mighty Montezuma in his own territory. An immense
body of warriors had offered to join the expedition, but Cortes thought
it wise to accept only six thousand, and even these he left encamped at
some distance from Cholula, because the caciques of that city, who came
out to meet the Spaniards, objected to having their mortal enemies
brought within its walls. As the troops drew near the town they were met
by swarms of men, women, and children, all eager to catch a glimpse of
the strangers, whose persons, horses, and weapons were equally objects
of intense curiosity to them. They in their turn were struck by the
noble aspect of the Cholulans, who were much superior in dress and
general appearance to the other tribes they had encountered. An immense
number of priests swinging censers mingled with the crowd, and, as
before, they were decorated with garlands and bunches of flowers, and
accompanied by gay music from various instruments. The Spaniards were
also struck by the width and cleanliness of the streets and the solidity
of the houses. They were lodged in the court of one of the many
teocallis, and visited by the great nobles of the city, who supplied
them plentifully with all they needed, and at first paid them such
attentions as caused them to believe that the evil apprehensions of the
Tlascalans had been merely suspicion and prejudice. But very soon the
scene changed. Messengers came from Montezuma, who shortly and
pleasantly told Cortes that his approach occasioned much disquietude to
th