d
civilisation so far superior to anything they had yet encountered
disheartened the more timid among them, they shrank from the unequal
contest, and begged to be led back again to Vera Cruz. But this was not
the effect produced upon Cortes by the glorious prospect. His desire for
treasure and love of adventure were sharpened by the sight of the
dazzling spoil at his very feet, and with threats, arguments, and
entreaties he revived the drooping spirits of his soldiers, and by the
aid of his brave captains succeeded in once more rousing them to
enthusiasm, and the march down the slope of the hill was gaily resumed.

[Illustration]

With every step of their progress the woods became thinner, and villages
were seen in green and sheltered nooks, the inhabitants of which came
out to meet and welcome the Spaniards. Everywhere Cortes heard with
satisfaction complaints of the cruelty and injustice of Montezuma, and
he encouraged the natives to rely on his protection, as he had come to
redress their wrongs. The army advanced but slowly, and was soon met by
another embassy from the emperor, consisting of several Aztec lords
bringing a rich gift of gold, and robes of delicate furs and feathers,
and offering four loads of gold to the general, and one to each of his
captains, with a yearly tribute to the Spanish sovereign, if they would
even then turn back from Mexico. But Cortes replied that he could not
answer it to his sovereign if he were to return without visiting the
emperor in his capital. The Spaniards came in the spirit of peace as
Montezuma would see for himself; but should their presence prove
burdensome to him, it would be very easy for them to relieve him of it.

This embassy had been intended to reach the Spaniards before they
crossed the mountains, and the dismay of the Aztec emperor was great
when he learned that it had failed, and that the dreaded strangers were
actually on their march across the valley. They were so utterly unlike
anything he had ever known before, these strange beings, who seemed to
have dropped from another planet, and by their superior knowledge and
more deadly weapons overcome the hitherto unconquerable nations, though
a mere handful of men in comparison to the swarms of his own countrymen.
He felt himself to be the victim of a destiny from which nothing could
save him. All peace, power, and security seemed to be gone from him, and
in despair he shut himself up in his palace, refusing food, a