l. Among those present there were
several of the veteran Conquistadores, whom Cortes immediately addressed
by name, and embraced them under the most flattering assurances of his
friendship. Upon this, mass was read, and after it was finished the
magistrates conducted our general to his quarters, which were in one of
the most beautiful houses of the town. Here he stayed eight days, during
which time several festivities took place in his honour, and notice of
his arrival was instantly sent off to Mexico. He himself wrote letters
to the treasurer Estrada and to the accountant Albornoz, although he was
well aware that this person was very ill inclined towards him. If the
news of his arrival was hailed with joy in the metropolis, it was no
less so by the Indians of the country surrounding Vera Cruz, who sent
him numerous presents of gold, cotton stuffs, fruits, and of fowls. They
likewise cleared the roads for him all the way to Mexico, built huts for
his accommodation at different stages along his route, and furnished
provisions in abundance. Every one who could followed in his suite, and
his whole march to Mexico appeared like a triumphal procession. Presents
and refreshments came pouring in from all sides, ambassadors arrived
from the different townships to assure him that if the notice of his
approach had not been so short, they would have made more suitable
arrangements for his reception, begging of him at the same time to take
his route through their towns, when it would be in their power to give
him a more honorable reception. The Tlascallans, above all, were most
zealous to evince their attachment to him; the whole of the principal
caziques came out to meet him, and received him with dances, songs, and
all manner of rejoicings.

When he had arrived within twelve miles of Tezcuco, a town almost equal
in magnitude to Mexico, he was met by the accountant Albornoz, who stood
ready there to receive him, and, if possible, to regain his friendship,
for he greatly feared the resentment of our general. Besides Albornoz,
there were numbers of other Spaniards from this neighbourhood who came
out to meet him, and the caziques of the town had marched out to the
distance of eight miles, and performed various dances and games in his
honour, all of which pleased our general very much. In Tezcuco itself
other rejoicings took place, and here he passed the night, though he
might easily have reached Mexico on the same day, but he had bee