t the old man
who came with it assured us that there was no more maise left in
Cholulla. That very day even other ambassadors had arrived from
Motecusuma, who joined those staying with us, and delivered their
monarch's message to Cortes without any show of courtesy, and in an
impudent tone of voice, saying that their monarch desired we should not
come to his city, as he could not provide for our sustenance there. To
this they required an immediate answer, they being in a hurry to return
with our reply to Mexico. As soon as Cortes saw what a sad turn affairs
had taken, he spoke with much reserve, and answered the ambassadors in
the most courteous manner possible, telling them how greatly he was
astonished that so powerful a monarch as Motecusuma should so often
change his mind: in the meantime he begged of them to postpone their
return until the following day, when he would be able to say in how far
we could comply with their monarch's wishes.

If my memory is correct, he likewise presented them with a few strings
of glass pearls. It is, however, certain that they promised to remain
until the morrow.

As soon as this conference had ended, Cortes called us all together, and
told us to be particularly upon our guard, as the inhabitants, no doubt,
had some evil design in hand. He then sent for the principal cazique,
whose name has slipped my memory, and desired him, if he could not come
in person, to send some one else; but received an answer that he was
indisposed, and that neither he nor any other of the chiefs could come.

Cortes, perceiving this unfavorable aspect of affairs, ordered two papas
to be brought into his presence from a large cu[34] adjoining our
quarters, where several other papas had assembled together. This was
accordingly done with every mark of respect due to their persons.

Cortes commenced by presenting each with a chalchihuis, a stone which
they prize as much as we do a smaragdus. He then, in a most affectionate
manner, inquired of them what had caused the fear which had seized the
caziques, the other chiefs, and the papas, and why they no longer called
upon us, though we had sent them invitations? One of these papas
appeared to hold a superior rank, as of a bishop, above the others; all
the cues of the town stood under him, and the inhabitants paid him the
profoundest veneration. This personage stated, in reply to Cortes, that
the papas did not entertain any fear for us: if the cazique and other