the
latter, "A curse upon this dog, I am sure this standing sentinel at
night will be my death!"

Motecusuma heard these words, and considered his feelings deeply
wounded. When, therefore, Cortes came in the morning to pay the monarch
his usual visit, he complained bitterly to him about the insult that had
been offered him. Cortes was exceedingly vexed, and was so enraged with
Lopez that he ordered him to be whipped. From that day every one who
stood sentinel in the monarch's apartment maintained a respectful
silence; though, as far as regarded myself and others of my companions
who often stood sentinel in the same apartment, we needed no
instructions as to how we were to behave in the presence of such a great
monarch, who soon got to know all our names and peculiarities, was
exceedingly kind towards us, and often distributed gold trinkets among
us, besides manufactured cottons and pretty females. At that time I was
yet a young fellow, and whenever I stood sentinel in the monarch's
apartment, I always behaved with the greatest respect, and uncovered my
head on passing by him. This drew his attention towards me, and, on
inquiring who I was, Orteguilla informed him that I had accompanied the
two former voyages of discovery to these parts. When, therefore,
Orteguilla, at my desire, hinted to him that I should be much pleased
with a pretty Mexican female, he sent for me, and said, "I understand,
Bernal Diaz del Castillo, that you have abundance of gold and cotton
stuffs, wherefore I will now give you a pretty young female. Treat her
well, for she is the daughter of distinguished parents, who will,
besides, give you more gold and cotton stuffs with her."

I very respectfully thanked the monarch for his kindness, and hoped God
would bless him for it. When the page interpreted my answer, he said,
"Bernal Diaz appears to me to have the true feelings of a well-bred
man," and ordered three small plates of gold and two additional packages
of cotton stuffs to be given me.

With respect to Motecusuma's mode of life, it was his custom to say his
prayers the first thing in the morning, and sacrifice to his gods: he
then partook of a little breakfast, which consisted not in meat, but
solely in _agi_.[71] This being finished, he gave an hour's audience to
the caziques, who came from distant parts in great numbers to lay before
him certain disputes, and obtain his judgment. The remaining part of the
day was then spent in amusement, p