Page:The Mastering of Mexico.djvu/229

Rh enchanters and had stolen away his reason and energy by wizardry given us by our gods and the great Spanish Lady whom we called our protectress—only after Montezuma had heard and considered his nephew's insolence and excesses, did he give trusted caciques his seal and orders to go to Texcoco and seize and bring the young hothead to Mexico. When this was accomplished, Cacamatzin became the prisoner of Cortes.

From all this the reader may well imagine on how short a thread our lives hung. Every day we heard nothing but how they were planning to cut us off to a man and eat our flesh. The mercy of God was all that saved us. To God alone were we Indebted that the excellent Montezuma furthered our affairs. How great a ruler he was!—that his subjects, even in his confinement, faithfully obeyed his commands! In everything we saw him do he was indeed a great monarch, and we not only treated him with respect, we really loved him, and told him of the power of our king; and Padre de Olmedo spoke to him constantly about our holy religion.

When all the cities were again at peace, Cortes reminded Montezuma that, before we entered Mexico, he had offered to pay tribute to our king, and that now he understood our king's power, and the number and magnificence of his vassals, it would be well if he and his subjects gave their pledge and tribute.