Page:About Mexico - Past and Present.djvu/150

142 Indians, very much frightened, asked anxiously what they said, supposing that these strange creatures were gifted with speech. Some wag of a soldier replied, "The horses are angry because your people have been fighting their masters."

Upon this, the simple-minded natives made a humble apology to the animals, offering them flowers and turkey-hens to eat.

As the army was in Tabasco over Palm Sunday, Cortez took occasion to give these heathen people a lesson in Christianity. He marched his men in solemn procession through the streets, each soldier bearing a palm-branch in his hand. The scene ended on the high platform of the temple. Here, in view of the awestruck multitude, the idols were taken down and a Virgin and Child put in their sacred places. The priests then celebrated mass and baptized the natives who had been given to them as tribute.

A more cordial welcome awaited the fleet at its next landing on the coast of Mexico. The place of landing received from Cortez the name of San Juan d'Ulua. The people flocked to the beach and with smiles and gestures invited the ships to land. Before the anchor could be dropped two canoes were alongside the flagship with a message from the "governor." The new comers asked to see the leader of the squadron; and when shown into his presence, they bowed low and said, "Teuthile has sent to ask what people you are, what is your business here and what he can do for you." The language was so different from that which Aguilar had learned in Yucatan that it was necessary to keep up the conversation by signs. With the help of a good supper, it was not very hard to make the messengers