Page:The Mastering of Mexico.djvu/201

Rh respect to approach his idols otherwise than on foot. As he walked he leaned on the arms of some of his caciques, and others went before him holding high two staves, like sceptres, which signified that the monarch was approaching. He ascended the steps of the temple in company with many papas, and on reaching the top began to burn incense and perform other ceremonies to Huitzilopochtli.

We for our part entered the temple yards and found them paved with white flagstones, and where stones were wanting, with cement, all kept so very clean one could not find the smallest particle of dust or straw anywhere, and enclosed by a double wall of stone. Before we had mounted a single one of the one hundred and fourteen steps of the temple, Montezuma sent down six priests and two chiefs to help our captain up. They were going to take him by the arms, just as they helped Montezuma. Cortes, however, would not permit them to aid him.

When we reached the summit we saw a platform set about with large stones, on which they put those doomed for sacrifice, and near by was an image shaped like a dragon, and other abominable figures, and a quantity of fresh blood. Montezuma himself accompanied by two papas came out of a chapel in which his cursed idols were standing and received us with courtesy. "Ascending this great temple of ours, Malinche, must have fatigued you," he said;