Page:The Mastering of Mexico.djvu/123

Rh and of such weight in their life could not have been done by mere men, they said to one another, but only by teules, which word means in their tongue, either gods or demons. From that time onward they called us teules; and I beg the reader to bear in mind that when I may use the word in my story, in affairs connected with our conquest, I refer to us, the Spaniards.

The caciques were of the opinion that we should sacrifice the prisoners that they might not go back to Mexico and tell what we had done. This Cortes forbade, however, and set soldiers on guard; and about midnight he called these guards to him and said, "Free the two most active and intelligent of the prisoners, and bring them to my lodgings. But do this in such a way that the Indians of the town know nothing about it."

When the prisoners stood before him, as if he did not know that they were Mexicans, our captain asked them what country they came from and why they were prisoners. They answered that the cacique of Cempoala aided by ourselves had seized their persons. Cortes, however, assured them that he knew nothing of the whole matter and regretted it, and having had food brought them and talking in kindly fashion, he told them to return at once to their lord Montezuma and tell him we were his sincere friends. Harm might come to them, he added, and so he had