, 1519. Praise
be to the Lord Jesus Christ for all this. If, however, I have not
exactly related every circumstance that transpired at the moment, the
reader must pardon me for the present.

[48] Of this building Torquemada says, it contained apartments in which
one hundred and fifty Spaniards slept, each in a separate bed; and that,
notwithstanding the magnitude of the building, every place was kept
remarkably clean; the floors were covered with mats, and the walls were
hung with tapestry of cotton decorated with feathers, and in every room
there was a fire, which threw out a delightful perfume. (p. 222.)

[49] The real name was Tenuchtitlan, and it was not known by any other
name when Cortes first visited the country; for Mexico was a more modern
name for this city. (p. 223.)

CHAPTER LXXXIX.

_How Motecusuma, accompanied by several caziques, pays us a visit in
our quarters, and of the discourse that passed between him and our
general._

After Motecusuma had dined, and was informed that we had likewise left
table, he set out from his palace in great pomp, accompanied by a number
of his grandees and all his relations, to pay us a visit. Cortes, being
apprized of his approach, advanced to the middle of the apartment to
receive him. Motecusuma took him by the hand, while others brought in a
species of chair of great value, decorated, according to Mexican
fashion, with gold beautifully worked into various shapes; the monarch
then invited our general to seat himself next to him.

Motecusuma then began a very excellent discourse, and, first of all,
expressed his delight to entertain in his kingdom and city such
courageous cavaliers as Cortes and all of us were. A couple of years ago
he had received intelligence that some other officer had made his
appearance in the province of Champoton; and a year later, of a second,
who had been off the coast with four vessels. He had long desired to
see Cortes, and, since his wishes were now fulfilled, he was ready to
render us any services, and provide us with everything we might require.
He was now convinced that we were those people of whom his earliest
forefathers had spoken,--a people that would come from the rising of the
sun and conquer these countries. After the battles we had fought at
Potonchan, Tabasco, and those against the Tlascallans, which had been
represented to him by pictures, all further doubt had vanished from his
mind.[50]

To which Corte