Page:About Mexico - Past and Present.djvu/209

Rh laws were so severe, and the death-penalty was so common, that this scene made no commotion among the crowd who gathered round.

During the execution Cortez came into his prisoner's apartment with a soldier bearing iron fetters, and charged Montezuma with the murder of the Spaniards. Montezuma was completely overawed, as though he had fallen into the hands of a being who could read hearts, a divine avenger of ancient wrongs committed by the Aztecs. He did not resist when the shackles were put on him, but expressed his humiliation and anguish of soul in moans and tears.

After the victims had been burnt Cortez ordered the chief to be set at liberty. His intention had been to crush the spirit of his captive and make him contemptible in the eyes of his followers. He renewed his efforts to soothe Montezuma and make him content with his fate. At the same time, he publicly announced that it was his wish that the government should be carried on as before, with due obedience to the king of Spain as its acknowledged head. The Aztecs quietly submitted, supposing, as usual, that all Cortez asked was the tribute which they so often exacted of a conquered tribe. So docile had Montezuma become that when Cortez made the pretence of offering him his liberty he refused the boon, probably fearing that some of his brother-chiefs would kill him if he ventured from under the protection of the Spanish guns. He only asked to be allowed to visit the pleasure-gardens of the city and its neighborhood. Permission was readily granted, since nothing could please Cortez better than to keep his captive in a good humor while he fastened the chains more securely. None of the gay attendants around Montezuma's splendid