Page:The Mastering of Mexico.djvu/181

Rh Montezuma himself was sumptuously dressed, as was always his habit, and he had on sandals richly set with precious stones and soled with solid gold. The four chiefs who supported him had somewhere on the road also put on richer garments than those In which they had met us. Other chiefs besides these distinguished caciques were about the monarch, sweeping the ground where he would tread and spreading cloths that he might not step on the bare earth. No one of these caciques dared to look the monarch full in the face, but every one kept his eyes lowered in reverence, except the four cousins and nephews who supported him.

When Cortes learned that Montezuma was coming near, he dismounted from his horse and advanced to meet him. Many compliments passed between the two, Montezuma bidding Cortes welcome, and our captain, through Donna Marina, hoping his majesty was in good health. If I remember aright, Cortes offered Montezuma the place of honor on the right, but he gave his hand to Cortes, who now brought out a necklace of glass stones, of the most beautiful shapes and colors, strung on gold wire and perfumed with musk. This he hung round the neck of Montezuma, and when he had placed it he was going to embrace the monarch, but the caciques held him back that he should not do their ruler so great an indignity. Through the words of Donna