Page:About Mexico - Past and Present.djvu/160

152 arms and ankles, had that profusion of glittering ornaments which rude races so much admire.

As the soldiers made their way through the crowd some horsemen riding in advance came dashing back with news. They had been near enough to look within the walls of Cempoalla, and saw there houses of burnished silver most dazzling to behold. In the glowing sunlight the white stucco of which they were built gave the buildings a glistening appearance which the excited cavaliers thought was due to a plating of some precious metal. On a nearer view of the place they compared it to Seville, one of the most beautiful cities of Spain, and named it thus without further delay.

An immense white building with loopholed towers stood in the market-place, and in this the army was invited to take up its quarters. Here the hospitable dames of Cempoalla made ready a good supper, which they spread on the floor for their guests. Clean mats for bedding were brought in abundance, and with these attentions the Indians politely withdrew, leaving their visitors to dispose of themselves for the night. After setting a strong guard the tired soldiers lay down to rest surrounded by what they estimated was a population of sixty thousand Indians.

The next morning the chief came to pay a visit of state to the new comers. He was led into the presence of Cortez, supported under each arm by a chief and followed by a company of servitors bringing rich presents. Cortez returned the visit in due form the next day. The conversation soon turned upon the late political events in Mexico. The chief complained bitterly of Aztec oppression and eagerly sought an alliance with the Spaniards. Nothing since he left Cuba had given Cortez so much