Page:The Mastering of Mexico.djvu/237

Rh our ancestors and confirmed by the answers of our gods. Therefore, take this gold for him. I have no more, for our notice to collect was short. For my share I give the whole of my father's treasure secreted in your quarters. I know that as soon as you came you saw it, and that you sealed up the opening as before. When, however, you forward this treasure to your king, say in your letter, 'This is sent you by your faithful vassal, Montezuma.' To this I will add a few chalchihuites of such enormous value that I could not give them to any save your great king. Each stone is worth two loads of gold. I also wish to send him three blow guns, with their balls and bags, for they are so rich in jewels they will certainly please him. I should like to give him all I possess, but I now have little left, for most of my gold and jewels I gave to you."

When Cortes and the rest of us heard this we stood amazed at the generosity and goodness of the monarch, and we took off our helmets and spoke our thanks. Cortes promised him in words of greatest affection that he would write our king of the splendid presents. Nor did Montezuma delay. That very hour his house stewards handed over the wealth of the secret chamber. So vast was the heap of it that we were three days in bringing it from its corners, and looking it over, and taking it from the embroideries on which it was set. To aid us we were