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72 Montezuma had purposely chosen him as ambassador; for, it was said, when Teuhtlilli showed the picture representing Cortes, all the chiefs who were in Montezuma's company declared that it looked exactly like Quintalbor, and that was the name of the ambassador who now came with Teuhtlilli.

When all these people arrived and came before Cortes, they first touched the ground at his feet with the forefinger of the right hand and then raised it to the mouth, and then they incensed him and all standing about him with resin they burnt on pans of clay. Cortes received them most kindly and asked them to sit by his side. Both ambassadors then told him he was most welcome to their country, and after other courteous speeches they set out the presents they had brought, spreading them on cotton cloths laid on mats.

The first present was a round plate, about the size of a cart wheel, of the finest gold and most beautiful workmanship, representing the sun with many sorts of pictures. Those who afterwards weighed it said it was worth more than ten thousand dollars. Another round plate, even larger, was of brilliant silver in imitation of the moon, with rays and other figures on it. This also was of great value. The third present was the helmet filled with grains of pure gold, just as they had got it out of the mines, and this was worth about three thousand dollars; but