Cortez endeavored to induce the inhabitants of the city to embrace Christianity; and would have resorted to force here, as at Cempoalla, but he was dissuaded11 by Father Olmedo; who, as on former occasions, urged that conversions12 effected by force were of little use, and that the cause would be injured, rather than benefited by such measures. Christianity would, as a matter of course, result from the success of the Spaniards; and that success would be imperiled, by exciting the animosity of the whole people by violence to their gods. As the great teocalli had been captured in fair fight, and a large portion of its buildings burnt, Cortez converted a massive stone edifice13 that had escaped the flames into a church, and erected14 a gigantic crucifix on the summit of the teocalli, visible from all points of the city.
A fortnight after his entrance to Cholula, Cortez again began to move forward. His Cempoallan allies, who had fought with great bravery against the Tlascalans, and had rendered him immense assistance upon the march, now asked to be allowed to return home; for much as they believed in the prowess of the whites, the dread15 of Montezuma's name was too great for them to dare trust themselves in his capital. Cortez dismissed them with many presents and, with his Tlascalan army, set forward towards the capital.
As they proceeded on their way, parties came in from various towns on the plateau with friendly messages. The enormous taxation16, imposed to keep up the luxurious17 court of the emperor, pressed heavily upon the land; and the greater portion of the inhabitants hailed, with real satisfaction, the coming of a power that appeared likely to overthrow18 the Aztec tyranny. Had it not been for this widespread disaffection, the little army of Cortez would, in spite of its bravery and superior weapons, have been powerless against the vast hosts which could have been hurled19 against it. But the people of the empire, in general, regarded Mexico as its oppressor and tyrant20, and hailed the opportunity of freeing themselves from its dominations. Cortez, except when the question of religion was concerned, was politic21 in the highest degree; and inspired all the natives who came to him with the full belief that, in him, they would have a kind and generous protector against Montezuma.
Warm as were the assurances of friendship sent by that monarch22, the Spaniards were well aware that no confidence could be placed in them. Their new friends, indeed, informed them that he was already preparing for an attack upon the Spaniards; and that the straight and level road had been blocked up, in order that they might be forced to take their passage through the mountains, where they could be attacked and overwhelmed at points at which their cavalry23 and artillery24 would be unable to act.
On arriving, therefore, at the place where the roads had been blocked, Cortez caused the piled-up obstacles to be removed; and the army proceeded by the level road, where they felt confident in their power to defend themselves, if attacked.
Upon the march Roger sometimes kept with Juan and Pedro, at other times walked beside Malinche, who, although wholly devoted25 to Cortez, had yet a warm and kindly26 feeling for her former friend. Cortez himself often consulted Roger as to the roads and places ahead, for he always received the native descriptions with some doubt, as he could not be sure whether they were honestly given.
After passing across the plateau, the little army ascended27 the steep range of hills separating it from the table land of Mexico. The cold was sufficient to affect them seriously, after the heat of the plains; and the difficulties of taking up the guns and their ammunition28 were great. This work was principally performed by the native allies, the Spaniards holding themselves in readiness to repel29 any attack that might be made upon them, in the forest-clad hills or in the deep defiles30; but no foes31 showed themselves, and they at last gained the western slopes, whence the plains of Mexico burst into sight.
Map of the Valley of Mexico at the Period of the Conquest
The Spaniards stood astonished--as Roger had done, on his first journey--at the beauty of the prospect32; but the sight of the numerous cities, telling of an immense population, filled them with uneasiness; and a clamor presently arose, that to march onward33 against such overwhelming odds34 was nothing short of madness; and that, having accomplished35 such vast things, they had done sufficient for honor, and should now return with the spoils they had captured to the coast.
But, as before, the enthusiasm and influence of Cortez soon reanimated their courage. He and the other leaders went among them, and by argument and entreaty36 persuaded them again to form their ranks and press forward; and in a short time the army wound down from the heights into the valley.
Happily for them, the ruler of Mexico was altogether dominated by superstitious37 fears. Against native enemies he had shown himself a resolute38 and valiant39 leader, had carried on numerous successful wars, and had by force of arms greatly extended his dominions40; but against these strange white enemies, his faculties41 seemed altogether to fail him. He had, for years, given himself up to the priesthood; and in this crisis, instead of consulting with his trusted generals, he was swayed wholly by the advice of the priests; and sought protection, not from the armies at his command, but from the gods, whom he strove to influence in his favor by hecatombs of human victims, sacrificed upon their altars.
In the month that had elapsed since he joined Cortez at Tlascala, Roger had made considerable progress in Spanish; and although incapable42 of supporting a long conversation with his comrades, could make himself understood in simple matters. His behavior at the fight in Cholula had gained him the respect of the old soldier; who, however, was not wholly satisfied with him.
"The young fellow is no coward," he said to Pedro. "When the Mexicans were pressing us sorely, he fought as stoutly43 and well as any in our ranks. He is well skilled in the use of the sword, which is wonderful, seeing that the Mexicans among whom he has been brought up are but poor hands with that weapon; and both with thrust and point he showed himself perfectly44 at home with the heavy blade the general gave him. I saw him pressed at one time by four Mexicans together, and was making to his assistance. But there was no need for it. He ran one through the body, and with heavy downright blows, well-nigh cleft45 the heads of two others; and the fourth, with a cry of astonishment46 and fear, sprang back into the crowd.
"But though he fought so stoutly when attacked, he showed less ardor47 in the assault, and lagged behind when we were pursuing the enemy."
"I like him none the worse for that, Juan," Pedro said. "He has lived among these people, and though I hear that, when they heard of our landing, they would have sacrificed him, and he had to fly for his life and fight hard to make his escape, he must in other respects look upon them without animosity; and doubtless he felt some pity for the poor wretches48."
"I felt some pity myself," Juan said; "but as they had intended so treacherously50 towards us, and proposed to put us all to a cruel death, I did not let my pity interfere51 with my sword arm."
"Ah, but you have been accustomed to battles and bloodshed all your life, Juan. One does not take to the trade of killing52 all at once, and I like him none the worse that he was disinclined for the slaughter53 of the people among whom he had been brought up."
"Well, we shall see," the old soldier grumbled54. "It seems to me that when two or three hundred men are fighting against a whole nation, and that nation proposes to cut all their throats on the altars of their gods, it is not a time for scruples55. I approve of the orders the general gave, that no one was to injure women and children, and I heartily56 wish that such were always the orders; but when it comes to men who have set their minds upon killing me, I don't draw nice distinctions, and I just smite57 where I see a chance."
The news that the Spaniards had crossed the mountains, and had entered the valley, completed the dejection and despair of Montezuma; and after shutting himself up in his palace, and refusing food, he at last turned from the gods, from whom he could obtain no assistance, and summoned a meeting of his counselors59.
These were divided in opinion. Cacama was at the head of the peace party. He pointed60 out that, had they intended to oppose the advance of the white men by force of arms, the whole strength of the empire should have been dispatched to dispute the passage of the mountains. As that had not been done, they should now be received in friendly fashion, as the ambassadors of the great king whom Cortez claimed to represent. Some of the other counselors, led by Cuitlahua, Montezuma's brother, were in favor of turning out all the forces and repelling61 the invasion; but Cacama's counsel prevailed, and an embassy was dispatched, under his leadership, to greet the Spaniards and conduct them to the capital.
The Spanish army advanced slowly. They halted for two days at Amaquemecan, where they were well received and hospitably62 entertained, and presented with a considerable sum in gold. They then marched forward to Ajotzinco, a town standing63 at the southern extremity64 of Lake Chalco, and partly erected on piles rising from the lake itself. Here, as at Venice, canals took the place of roads, and all traffic was carried on in boats.
Upon the following morning, a messenger arrived with the news that the King of Tezcuco was approaching, as an ambassador from the emperor, and in a short time the royal procession approached the city. Cacama was borne in a magnificent litter, shaded by a gorgeous canopy65, and was attended by a number of nobles and officials. As the palanquin neared the spot where Cortez was standing, Cacama left his litter and advanced towards him; saluting66 by touching67 the ground with his hand, and raising it in the air. Cortez also advanced and embraced the young prince, who told him that he came as the ambassador of the emperor, to welcome him to his capital. An exchange of presents took place, and Cortez assured the prince of the friendliness68 of his intentions, and of the respect he entertained for the emperor. Cacama then withdrew, and returned at once to Mexico, while the army resumed its march.
Roger did not make any attempt to approach the prince, after his interview with Cortez. He knew that he would have received, from Cuitcatl, the news that he had surmounted69 the dangers of his journey and joined the Spaniards at Tlascala, and thought that it would be better to defer70 presenting himself to the prince until he could do so more privately71 at Tezcuco. He considered it possible that Montezuma might have blamed Cacama for his escape; and that, if he were to greet him, it would be reported to the emperor, who might regard it as a proof that there had been a secret understanding between them, and that Cacama had aided his flight.
Crossing the causeway that divided the Lake of Chalco from that of Xochical, the army marched to Iztapalapan, a large town with a royal residence, governed by the emperor's brother Cuitlahua. The prince had assembled a number of the great nobles, and Cortez was received with great state and ceremony; and after the usual presentation of gifts, a banquet was served to the Spaniards in one of the great halls of the palace.
After this Cortez was conducted over the gardens, which were the finest in Mexico. They contained all the vegetable productions of the empire, with magnificent aviaries72, and a fish pond built of stone, nearly a mile in circumference73.
At daybreak next morning, that of November 8th, 1519, the Spaniards were mustered74 and again set forward. The four hundred white troops led the way. They were followed by the baggage, after which came what was numerically the main portion of the army, six thousand five hundred Tlascalan soldiers. Keeping on by the shore of the lake, and crossing the narrow strip of land dividing the Lake of Xochical from that of Tezcuco, they arrived at the head of the great causeway running across the lake to the island on which the capital was built. The causeway was a massive construction, built of large stones laid in cement, and was wide enough to permit of ten horsemen riding abreast75.
The shores of the lake on either side were closely dotted with towns and villages, and the lake itself was well-nigh covered with the canoes and rafts of the natives. The Spaniards saw, too, with surprise and admiration76, floating gardens--some of them of considerable extent--on the surface of the lake, covered with flowers and shrubs77. The scene was the most beautiful that had ever met their eyes, and they were filled with delight and admiration.
Halfway78 across the causeway they came upon the fort of Xoloc. Here a massive stone wall, twelve feet high, crossed the dike79, and stretched out on to the lake on either side. Towers were erected at its angles and, properly defended, it could have resisted the attack of an army.
An archway gave passage through the wall. Here a great number of nobles were assembled, who welcomed the Spaniards with formal ceremony; and the army then marched forward along the dike, till it reached a wooden drawbridge near the gate of the city.
As they crossed this a splendid procession was seen approaching. It was preceded by three great officers of state, bearing golden wands; behind them the emperor himself lay in his palanquin, borne on the shoulders of nobles, with a canopy of rich feather work sparkling with jewels above his head. Montezuma alighted when within a short distance, and with the canopy still carried over his head, and leaning upon his brother and nephew, he advanced towards Cortez.
The general, dismounting, went forward with a few of his principal officers to meet him. The emperor received his guest with courtesy, and expressed his pleasure at seeing him in his capital; while Cortez replied with expressions of profound respect, accompanied by thanks for the superb presents that Montezuma had sent him. The emperor re-entered his litter, and the Spaniards followed, with music playing and colors flying.
Although already familiar with Mexican architecture, they were astonished by the magnificence of the buildings that bordered the great streets along which they marched. Here were the mansions80 of the nobles, built of a red porous81 stone and covering a large space of ground. The flat roofs were protected by stone parapets, and many of them were laid out as gardens. Between these mansions were broad terraces, which presented a mass of flowers. Here and there were great marketplaces, surrounded by porticoes82 of stone; and above all the temples, with their towering pyramids, rose high in the air.
Along the whole line, crowds of people watched the procession of the troops; gazing with surprise and admiration at the cavaliers on horseback, and at the flashing armor and arms of the Spaniards; and with wrath83 and indignation at the Tlascalan army, which followed in their rear.
The street was in many places intersected by canals. Passing over these on light bridges, they at last reached a great square near the center of the city, on one side of which rose the huge temple of the war god of the Aztecs. Facing this was a palace of Montezuma's father, which had been appropriated, by the emperor, as quarters for the Spaniards. The emperor himself received them in the courtyard, presented Cortez with a magnificent necklace, and then, saying he would visit them later on, withdrew.
The palace was large enough to afford accommodation for the whole army; and as it was surrounded by a massive stone wall, flanked with towers, Cortez saw, with satisfaction, that it could without difficulty resist any sudden attack. He placed sentries84 on the walls, and planted his cannon85 to command the approaches; and in order to prevent any chance of a quarrel arising, he forbade any soldiers to leave the palace, without orders. A large number of Mexican slaves had been appointed to attend upon the strangers, and a meal was speedily served by them to the troops, who were then permitted to take a sleep, for some hours, during the heat of the day.
The emperor paid another visit in the evening, and had a long conversation with Cortez, distributing a large number of rich presents among the Spaniards before leaving. After he had left they celebrated86 their arrival in the city by a salute87 with their cannon, whose thunder added to the impression produced upon the natives by the tales they had heard of the prowess of their visitors, and heightened their belief in the supernatural powers of the Spaniards.
The next day Cortez returned the emperor's visit. He was accompanied by a few of his principal officers, and five or six soldiers. The palace was of immense size, built, like the rest of the houses, of red stone, and ornamented88 with marble. Fountains sparkled in the courts through which the Spaniards passed, and crowds of Aztec nobles thronged89 the squares and great halls. The walls of these apartments were hung with richly dyed cotton, or with draperies of gorgeous feather work, while the fumes91 of incense92 rose up in clouds from censors93.
Montezuma, surrounded by a few of his nobles, received them; and Cortez at once opened to him what he considered to be the chief object of his enterprise, and through the medium of Marina expounded94 the doctrines95 of Christianity, and besought96 the emperor to turn from his false gods. As Montezuma had himself been a priest, and was an ardent97 devotee of his religion, it was scarcely to be expected that he would favorably entertain the proposal to change his religion. He answered courteously98 that, no doubt, the god of Cortez was good to the Spaniards, just as his own gods were good to him. What his visitors said of the creation of the world was similar to what he himself believed. His people had occupied the land but for a few years, having been led there by a great being who, after giving them laws, had withdrawn99 to the regions of the east. When he left he had promised that he or his descendants would again visit them, and resume his empire. The wonderful deeds of the Spaniards, their complexion100, the fact that they came from the east--all showed that they were the descendants of this god.
"Your sovereign beyond the waters is, I know, the rightful lord of all. I rule in his name. You, Malinzin, are his ambassador, and you and your brethren shall share what I have."
He then dismissed his visitors with fresh presents.
Malinzin was the name by which Cortez was universally known by the natives. Malinche was ever with him, and they connected him with her, and called him by the masculine form of her name.
But gratified as the Spaniards were at the kindness of their reception, and within the munificent101 gifts showered upon them, they could not but feel that their position was a precarious102 one. They were in the center of a great city, with a warlike population. It was broken up, by its canals with their movable bridges, into a series of fortresses103; and it would be well-nigh hopeless to endeavor, by force, to make their way out of it. At present all seemed fair, but they were well aware that Montezuma had endeavored in every way, save by open war, to prevent their coming; and that, influenced as he was by the oracles of the gods, he might at any moment exchange his apparent friendship for open enmity.
Two days after arriving at the capital, Roger asked Malinche if she could obtain permission from the general for him to cross the lake to Tezcuco, in order that he might pay his friends there a visit. Presently she returned, saying that the general himself would speak to him.
Roger had been named Sancho by the Spaniards, as he had not ventured to give his own name; and it was supposed that he had forgotten that which he had borne as a child.
"Sancho," the general said; "I know, from what Marina says, that you have great intelligence, though you have so long been cut off from your own people. You see that our position here is a strange one. We are guests and yet, to some extent, we are prisoners. The Tlascalans with us are hated by the Mexicans, and either between them and the natives, or maybe between some of my own soldiers and the citizens, a brawl104 might arise which would be used as a pretext105 for an attack upon us.
"As I feel that I can rely upon your discretion106, I will tell you of some news that I received at Cholula, but which I have kept to myself. The natives on the coast have shown themselves hostile to the garrison107 of a hundred and fifty men, whom I left there under Juan de Escalante. A chief near there sent in to tender his allegiance, and asked that four white men should be sent to escort him to the town. As soon as they got to him two of them were murdered, but the other two managed to escape and made their way back. Don Juan marched, with fifty of his men and several thousand Indian allies, to attack the treacherous49 chief. There was a desperate battle, our allies fled, but the soldiers stood their ground and--thanks to the aid of the Blessed Virgin--resisted all the attacks made upon them. But eight of the men were slain108, and Juan himself was mortally wounded. The Indian prisoners taken said that the attack, like that at Cholula, had been made by the orders of Montezuma.
"You may do us good service by finding out what are the intentions of the Mexicans. Therefore, by all means, carry out your intention of going across to Tezcuco. The young king is a nephew of the emperor, but he has suffered much at Montezuma's hands, and has been stripped of the greater part of his father's dominions. He can, therefore, hardly be friendly to him at heart. At any rate you may be able to learn, in conversation with him, what are his sentiments towards us. Tezcuco was long the rival of Mexico, and as the alliance of the Tlascalans has proved of the greatest advantage to us, still more should we benefit if the Tezcucans were our friends. If we have to retire from Mexico, we might take refuge there.
"At any rate, if nothing else comes of it, you might learn from the king whether he is aware of any treachery meditated109 against us. He saved you, Malinche says, from Montezuma and the priests, once; and would be likely, therefore, to warn you, did he know that danger was impending110."
When Marina had translated this, Roger at once agreed to do his best to discover if any treachery were meant.
"You had best go in disguise," Cortez said. "Donna Marina will make arrangements for a canoe to be here, after nightfall; and by staining your face, and putting on the attire111 of an Aztec noble--for which we have ample materials at hand--would not be noticed as you pass through the throng90 of yon boats on the lake. It would be best that you did not go as a Spanish soldier. You might be arrested on the road, and perhaps carried away and sacrificed at one of the altars. Once at Tezcuco you must, of course, act in the matter as you think best."
Marina--who was not, like the Spaniards, confined to the palace--had no difficulty in arranging for a canoe; and as soon as it became dark, Roger, dressed as an Aztec cazique, and with his face slightly stained, took his place in it. The lake was thronged with canoes, but the craft in which he was seated passed without notice through them, and after two hours' paddling reached Tezcuco.
Telling the natives that they were to wait for his return, however long that might be, Roger proceeded to the palace. Avoiding the principal streets and squares, where his unusual height would attract attention, he passed unquestioned into the palace amid the throng of chiefs and nobles who were entering or leaving it, and made his way to the apartment of Cuitcatl. It was empty but, clapping his hand, the attendant who had before waited upon him entered. As Roger's attire was similar to the one he had worn while at Tezcuco, the man recognized him at once.
Roger bade him go in search of Cuitcatl, and tell him privately that he was there, and beg him to come. In a few minutes Cuitcatl entered the room, and greeted Roger most heartily.
"I am glad, indeed, to see you, my friend; and Cacama and the queen and the princess will rejoice, also. There was great anxiety for you after your first escape, for the emperor was furious when he heard that you had slipped off. The priests had assured him that the sacrifice of a white man, to the god of war, would ensure his aid and protection against the white invaders112. Runners were dispatched in scores to every town and village, and although I knew that Bathalda was familiar with every foot of the country, and would give his life for you if needs be, it seemed impossible that you should be able to make your way through.
"Then came the news of your fight in the hills; how you had a bow that carried arrows to an unheard-of distance; and how, in a hand-to-hand fight, you had prevailed against a score of our soldiers. After that, you seemed lost. The officers commanding the troops were convinced that you had not descended113 the eastern slopes of the mountains; and the spies, which were watching every movement of the white men on the coast, reported that no white man had joined them. Therefore, it was supposed that you must have returned west of the range of hills, and every town and village was searched, and every grove114 and plantation115 examined.
"We were all very anxious for you, and it was not until a week after we had the news of the wonderful defeat of the Tlascalans, by the white men, that Bathalda returned with the message you sent us, and the news that you had joined the white men there.
"Since then we have, of course, heard nothing of you. Cacama said that he did not see you when he met Malinzin; but of course he did not examine the faces of the white soldiers, being occupied solely116 with their chief and the officers round him. But we all felt assured that we should hear from you, shortly.
"So, you have resumed your Aztec dress?"
"I thought it better to do so, for the purpose of coming here," Roger replied; "for if the priests want a victim so sorely, it seemed to me that, if I ventured to leave the palace dressed in my Spanish garb117, I might be seized and carried off."
"You are quite right," Cuitcatl agreed. "The priests are furious against you all, and I cannot altogether blame them. Your general may, as he says, come as an ambassador from his king to Montezuma; and if he had orders to come to his court, at all costs, he was not to blame if he fought his way whenever he was opposed; but this does not justify118 him in insulting our religion, and even assaulting and hurling119 down our gods, at every opportunity. He even tried to persuade the emperor that our gods were false; and spoke120 insolently121 of them, yesterday, when Montezuma conducted him, at his request, into the holy shrines122. Cacama was one of the strongest advisors123 that a peaceful reception should be accorded to the white visitors, but even he is being greatly turned against them, by their conduct towards our gods.
"Come, I will take you to the royal apartments, and leave you in a room where no one will enter, until I inform Cacama that you are here."
A few minutes later the young king entered the apartment where Cuitcatl had placed Roger, and embraced him with real affection.
"Truly, I am glad to see you again, Roger Hawkshaw. I am glad to see you for yourself, and I hail you as a counselor58, in the strange pass to which we have come. Here are Maclutha, and my sister, Amenche."
The queen and the princess entered as he spoke, and each gave Roger their hand; which, bowing deeply, he raised to his lips, having before told them that this was the salutation, among his own people, to ladies of high rank.
"We did not think, Roger Hawkshaw, when we last parted, that we should meet again so soon. Who could have believed then that the little band of white men, of whose arrival upon the coast we had heard, would have made their way on to the capital, when the emperor was bent124 upon preventing their coming? We have trembled for you, and have prayed the gods to protect you; and greatly did we rejoice when we heard, from Cuitcatl's follower125, that you had surmounted all your dangers safely, and joined the whites.
"It has been a strange time here, since you left. I have been, for the most part, at the capital. The news that came, from day to day, of the progress of the whites filled everyone with surprise, and consternation126.
"We of the council met daily, but Montezuma passed his time at the shrines and among the priests. He was a brave warrior5 and a great general, once, but he is no longer himself. My father's prophecy seems to have unmanned him, and he has given himself up wholly to superstition127. I believe in our gods, and pay them due honor; but I do not hold that a man should not think for himself, or that he should trust wholly in the priests, who are but men like ourselves; and who are, methinks, but poor judges of worldly affairs, though wise and learned in matters concerning religion. Montezuma thinks otherwise, and the result is that no orders have been issued, no determination arrived at, and we have the disgrace of seeing a handful of strangers installed in the capital.
"Mind, my counsels have always been that they should be conducted honorably from the coast, and treated as ambassadors; but we have done neither one thing nor the other. They have been loaded with gifts, but forbidden to come here. Yet since they came, in spite of orders, we have seemed as if we feared to meet them; and I blush at the thought of the treacherous plan to destroy them, at Cholula.
"The gods had prophesied128 that they would find their grave there. But the gods were wrong; and it may be that the God of the whites is more powerful than ours. If not, how is it that they did not avenge129 the indignities130 offered to them by the whites, at Cempoalla, where their images were hurled down from their altars? And at Cholula, where the most sacred of all the temples was attacked and captured, and the emblem131 of the White God set up on its summit?
"You yourself, Roger Hawkshaw, warned us against these Spaniards. You said that they were cruel masters to the people they had conquered, and above all things cruel in the matter of religion, forcing all who came under their sway to accept their God, under pain of death; and that they would slay132 even you, a white man like themselves, did they know that you did not belong to their people. Tell us what is to be done. Why are these men in our capital? What are their objects? Brave and strong as they are, they cannot hope to overcome a nation, or to force all Anahuac to forsake133 their own gods and to accept the God of the whites."
"I know not what are the designs of Cortez, the leader whom you call Malinzin. I should say the Spaniards are here with several motives134. In the first place, there is the desire for wealth and spoil; in the second, religious ardor--the desire to bring all within the pale of their Church; in the third place, the love of adventure; and, lastly, the honor they will receive, at the hands of their sovereign, for opening so rich an empire to his arms."
"You do not think, then, they intend to conquer us?"
"Cortez cannot think of doing so, with the means at his disposal, Cacama; but doubtless he has sent home reports of the richness of the country, and forces many times more numerous than those under his command may be sent out to his assistance."
"Does he know that you have come hither?" Cacama asked suddenly.
"He does," Roger replied. "I could not leave the palace without permission, and Malinche told him of the kindness I had experienced at your hands. He himself is uneasy at the position in which he finds himself, uncertain of Montezuma's intentions, and fearful of an assault; and he bade me try to find out, as far as might be, what was the general opinion respecting the Spaniards."
"The opinion of the ignorant," Cacama said, with a contemptuous wave of the hand, "is worth nothing. They go where they are led. They believe what they are last told. They shout when they are told to shout. They have no opinion of their own, upon aught but what relates to themselves.
"Among the nobles, the priests, and the learned there is much division of opinion. At present we wait; but frankly135, at any moment a storm may follow the calm. The priests, who of course are bitterly hostile to the strangers, are without doubt working, and they have great power with all. But I should say that, on the whole, you are safer here with me than you would be across the water there. I do not mean that there is any immediate136 danger, but you must remember that Montezuma has been insulted and humiliated137, and made to appear small in the sight of the people. He is one of the proudest of men, and although at present he feigns138 friendship with the Spaniards, a moment will come when he will revolt against being thus bearded in his capital; and he has but to wave his hand for these invaders to be wiped out.
"However, let us talk of other matters, at present. Of course, you are not thinking of returning tonight?"
"I intended to do so, and the canoe in which I came is waiting for me."
"We cannot think of letting you go," Cacama said, decidedly. "I will send an official back, with a message from you saying that you think you can do more, here, than by returning; and that you crave139 leave to stay for the present, but that you will come over, in the morning, and report to him all that you have learned here. You can leave here soon after daybreak, see your general, and be back again before the full heat of the day."
As Roger was in no hurry to return, Cuitcatl went out to dispatch an official with the message to Cortez; or rather to Malinche, as the message would then be delivered privately to him; whereas if Cortez were asked for, the man might be brought into his presence when engaged with some of his officers. Roger did not know whether the fact of his being away from the palace had been made public, for Cortez might consider it would cause discontent among some of his followers140, were it known that their last-joined recruit was permitted to leave the town, whereas no one else was allowed to stir beyond the limits of their quarters.
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vengeance
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| n.报复，报仇，复仇 | |
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expressive
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| adj.表现的，表达…的，富于表情的 | |
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submission
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| n.服从，投降；温顺，谦虚；提出 | |
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warriors
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| 武士，勇士，战士( warrior的名词复数 ) | |
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5
warrior
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| n.勇士，武士，斗士 | |
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6
awe
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| n.敬畏，惊惧；vt.使敬畏，使惊惧 | |
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oracles
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| 神示所( oracle的名词复数 )； 神谕； 圣贤； 哲人 | |
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8
bribes
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| n.贿赂( bribe的名词复数 )；向（某人）行贿，贿赂v.贿赂( bribe的第三人称单数 )；向（某人）行贿，贿赂 | |
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9
unwilling
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| adj.不情愿的 | |
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laden
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| adj.装满了的；充满了的；负了重担的；苦恼的 | |
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dissuaded
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| 劝（某人）勿做某事，劝阻( dissuade的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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conversions
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| 变换( conversion的名词复数 )； （宗教、信仰等）彻底改变； （尤指为居住而）改建的房屋； 橄榄球（触地得分后再把球射中球门的）附加得分 | |
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13
edifice
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| n.宏伟的建筑物(如宫殿，教室) | |
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14
ERECTED
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| adj. 直立的，竖立的，笔直的 vt. 使 ... 直立，建立 | |
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15
dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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16
taxation
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| n.征税，税收，税金 | |
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17
luxurious
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| adj.精美而昂贵的；豪华的 | |
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18
overthrow
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| v.推翻，打倒，颠覆；n.推翻，瓦解，颠覆 | |
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19
hurled
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| v.猛投，用力掷( hurl的过去式和过去分词 )；大声叫骂 | |
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20
tyrant
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| n.暴君，专制的君主，残暴的人 | |
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21
politic
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| adj.有智虑的；精明的；v.从政 | |
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22
monarch
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| n.帝王，君主，最高统治者 | |
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23
cavalry
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| n.骑兵；轻装甲部队 | |
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24
artillery
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| n.(军)火炮，大炮；炮兵(部队) | |
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25
devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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27
ascended
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| v.上升，攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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28
ammunition
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| n.军火，弹药 | |
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29
repel
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| v.击退，抵制，拒绝，排斥 | |
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30
defiles
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| v.玷污( defile的第三人称单数 )；污染；弄脏；纵列行进 | |
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31
foes
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| 敌人，仇敌( foe的名词复数 ) | |
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32
prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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33
onward
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| adj.向前的，前进的；adv.向前，前进，在先 | |
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34
odds
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| n.让步，机率，可能性，比率；胜败优劣之别 | |
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35
accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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36
entreaty
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| n.恳求，哀求 | |
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37
superstitious
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| adj.迷信的 | |
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38
resolute
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| adj.坚决的，果敢的 | |
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39
valiant
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| adj.勇敢的，英勇的；n.勇士，勇敢的人 | |
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40
dominions
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| 统治权( dominion的名词复数 )； 领土； 疆土； 版图 | |
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41
faculties
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| n.能力( faculty的名词复数 )；全体教职员；技巧；院 | |
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42
incapable
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| adj.无能力的，不能做某事的 | |
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43
stoutly
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| adv.牢固地，粗壮的 | |
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44
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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45
cleft
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| n.裂缝；adj.裂开的 | |
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46
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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47
ardor
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| n.热情，狂热 | |
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48
wretches
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| n.不幸的人( wretch的名词复数 )；可怜的人；恶棍；坏蛋 | |
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49
treacherous
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| adj.不可靠的，有暗藏的危险的；adj.背叛的，背信弃义的 | |
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50
treacherously
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| 背信弃义地； 背叛地； 靠不住地； 危险地 | |
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51
interfere
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| v.(in)干涉，干预；(with)妨碍，打扰 | |
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52
killing
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| n.巨额利润；突然赚大钱，发大财 | |
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53
slaughter
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| n.屠杀，屠宰；vt.屠杀，宰杀 | |
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54
grumbled
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| 抱怨( grumble的过去式和过去分词 )； 发牢骚； 咕哝； 发哼声 | |
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55
scruples
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| n.良心上的不安( scruple的名词复数 )；顾虑，顾忌v.感到于心不安，有顾忌( scruple的第三人称单数 ) | |
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56
heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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57
smite
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| v.重击；彻底击败；n.打；尝试；一点儿 | |
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58
counselor
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| n.顾问，法律顾问 | |
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59
counselors
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| n.顾问( counselor的名词复数 )；律师；（使馆等的）参赞；（协助学生解决问题的）指导老师 | |
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60
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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61
repelling
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| v.击退( repel的现在分词 )；使厌恶；排斥；推开 | |
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62
hospitably
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| 亲切地，招待周到地，善于款待地 | |
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63
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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64
extremity
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| n.末端，尽头；尽力；终极；极度 | |
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65
canopy
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| n.天篷，遮篷 | |
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66
saluting
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| v.欢迎，致敬( salute的现在分词 )；赞扬，赞颂 | |
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67
touching
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| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
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68
friendliness
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| n.友谊，亲切，亲密 | |
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69
surmounted
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| 战胜( surmount的过去式和过去分词 )； 克服（困难）； 居于…之上； 在…顶上 | |
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70
defer
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| vt.推迟，拖延；vi.(to)遵从，听从，服从 | |
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71
privately
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| adv.以私人的身份，悄悄地，私下地 | |
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72
aviaries
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| n.大鸟笼( aviary的名词复数 )；鸟舍；鸟类饲养场；鸟类饲养者 | |
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73
circumference
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| n.圆周，周长，圆周线 | |
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74
mustered
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| v.集合，召集，集结（尤指部队）( muster的过去式和过去分词 )；（自他人处）搜集某事物；聚集；激发 | |
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75
abreast
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| adv.并排地；跟上(时代)的步伐，与…并进地 | |
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76
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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77
shrubs
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| 灌木( shrub的名词复数 ) | |
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78
halfway
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| adj.中途的，不彻底的，部分的；adv.半路地，在中途，在半途 | |
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79
dike
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| n.堤，沟；v.开沟排水 | |
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80
mansions
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| n.宅第，公馆，大厦( mansion的名词复数 ) | |
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81
porous
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| adj.可渗透的，多孔的 | |
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82
porticoes
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| n.柱廊，（有圆柱的）门廊( portico的名词复数 ) | |
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83
wrath
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| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
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84
sentries
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| 哨兵，步兵( sentry的名词复数 ) | |
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85
cannon
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| n.大炮，火炮；飞机上的机关炮 | |
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86
celebrated
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| adj.有名的，声誉卓著的 | |
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87
salute
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| vi.行礼，致意，问候，放礼炮；vt.向…致意，迎接，赞扬；n.招呼，敬礼，礼炮 | |
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88
ornamented
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| adj.花式字体的v.装饰，点缀，美化( ornament的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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89
thronged
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| v.成群，挤满( throng的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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90
throng
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| n.人群，群众；v.拥挤，群集 | |
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91
fumes
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| n.(强烈而刺激的)气味，气体 | |
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92
incense
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| v.激怒；n.香，焚香时的烟，香气 | |
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93
censors
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| 删剪（书籍、电影等中被认为犯忌、违反道德或政治上危险的内容）( censor的第三人称单数 ) | |
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94
expounded
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| 论述，详细讲解( expound的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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95
doctrines
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| n.教条( doctrine的名词复数 )；教义；学说；（政府政策的）正式声明 | |
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96
besought
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| v.恳求，乞求（某事物）( beseech的过去式和过去分词 )；(beseech的过去式与过去分词) | |
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97
ardent
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，强烈的，烈性的 | |
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98
courteously
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| adv.有礼貌地，亲切地 | |
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99
withdrawn
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| vt.收回；使退出；vi.撤退，退出 | |
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100
complexion
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| n.肤色；情况，局面；气质，性格 | |
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101
munificent
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| adj.慷慨的，大方的 | |
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102
precarious
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| adj.不安定的，靠不住的；根据不足的 | |
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103
fortresses
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| 堡垒，要塞( fortress的名词复数 ) | |
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104
brawl
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| n.大声争吵，喧嚷；v.吵架，对骂 | |
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105
pretext
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| n.借口，托词 | |
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106
discretion
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| n.谨慎；随意处理 | |
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107
garrison
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| n.卫戍部队；驻地，卫戍区；vt.派(兵)驻防 | |
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108
slain
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| 杀死，宰杀，杀戮( slay的过去分词 )； (slay的过去分词) | |
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109
meditated
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| 深思，沉思，冥想( meditate的过去式和过去分词 )； 内心策划，考虑 | |
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110
impending
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| a.imminent, about to come or happen | |
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111
attire
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| v.穿衣，装扮[同]array；n.衣着；盛装 | |
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112
invaders
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| 入侵者，侵略者，侵入物( invader的名词复数 ) | |
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113
descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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114
grove
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| n.林子，小树林，园林 | |
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115
plantation
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| n.种植园，大农场 | |
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116
solely
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| adv.仅仅，唯一地 | |
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117
garb
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| n.服装，装束 | |
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118
justify
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| vt.证明…正当(或有理)，为…辩护 | |
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119
hurling
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| n.爱尔兰式曲棍球v.猛投，用力掷( hurl的现在分词 )；大声叫骂 | |
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120
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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121
insolently
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| adv.自豪地，自傲地 | |
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122
shrines
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| 圣地，圣坛，神圣场所( shrine的名词复数 ) | |
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123
advisors
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| n.顾问，劝告者( advisor的名词复数 )；（指导大学新生学科问题等的）指导教授 | |
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124
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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125
follower
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| n.跟随者；随员；门徒；信徒 | |
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126
consternation
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| n.大为吃惊，惊骇 | |
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127
superstition
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| n.迷信，迷信行为 | |
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128
prophesied
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| v.预告，预言( prophesy的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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129
avenge
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| v.为...复仇，为...报仇 | |
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130
indignities
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| n.侮辱，轻蔑( indignity的名词复数 ) | |
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131
emblem
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| n.象征，标志；徽章 | |
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132
slay
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| v.杀死，宰杀，杀戮 | |
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133
forsake
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| vt.遗弃，抛弃；舍弃，放弃 | |
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134
motives
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| n.动机，目的( motive的名词复数 ) | |
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135
frankly
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| adv.坦白地，直率地；坦率地说 | |
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136
immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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137
humiliated
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| 感到羞愧的 | |
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138
feigns
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| 假装，伪装( feign的第三人称单数 )； 捏造（借口、理由等） | |
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139
crave
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| vt.渴望得到，迫切需要，恳求，请求 | |
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140
followers
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| 追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件 | |
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