turned, bringing back
large quantities of gold and silver plate, rich stuffs, etc." To this
Montezuma added a huge hoard, the treasures of his father. When brought
into the quarters, the gold alone was sufficient to make three great
heaps. It consisted partly of native grains, and partly of bars; but the
greatest portion was in utensils, and various kinds of ornaments and
curious toys, together with imitations of birds, insects, or flowers,
executed with uncommon truth and delicacy. There were also quantities of
collars, bracelets, wands, fans, and other trinkets, in which the gold
and feather-work were richly powdered with pearls and precious stones.
Montezuma expressed regret that the treasure was no larger; he had
"diminished it," he said, "by his former gifts to the white men."

The Spaniards gazed on this display of riches, far exceeding all
hitherto seen in the New World--though small compared with the quantity
of treasure found in Peru. The whole amount of this Mexican gift was
about L1,417,000, according to Prescott, Dr. Robertson making it
smaller.

It was no easy task to divide the spoil. A fifth had to be deducted for
the Crown, and an equal share went to the general, besides a "large sum
to indemnify him and the Governor of Cuba for the charges of the
expedition and the loss of the fleet. The garrison of Vera Cruz was also
to be provided for. The cavalry, musketeers, and crossbowmen each
received double pay." Thus for each of the common soldiers there was
only 100 gold _pesos_--i. e., L2-5/8 X 100 = L262 10s. To many this
share seemed paltry, compared with their expectations; and it required
all the tact and authority of Cortes to quell the grumbling.

There still remained one important object of the Spanish invasion, an
object which Cortes as a good Catholic dared not overlook--the
conversion of the Aztec nation from heathenism. The bloody ritual of the
_teocallis_ was still observed in every city. Cortes waited on
Montezuma, urging a request that the great temple be assigned for public
worship according to the Christian rites.

Montezuma was evidently much alarmed, declaring that his people would
never allow such a profanation, but at last, after consulting the
priest, agreed that one of the sanctuaries on the summit of the temple
should be granted to the Christians as a place of worship.

An altar was raised, surmounted by a crucifix and the image of the
Virgin. The whole army ascended the steps in s