Page:The Mastering of Mexico.djvu/243

 

How we set an altar on the chief temple, and the anger of the Mexican gods and people at our act; and of the fleet Velasquez sent out from Cuba, what Montezuma did about it; and our plan to go against Narvaez.

great Montezuma never ceased his good will towards us and did as we wished in every way save that he never stopped the sacrifice of human beings. Day after day the abomination went on. No protest could induce him to end it. The difficulty for us was to use some means which would not impel the people and the papas to arms. At last Cortes, accompanied by seven officers and soldiers, went to Montezuma and said, "Great monarch, I have already many times begged you not to sacrifice humans to those false gods who are deluding you, and yet the horrors continue every day. I have come now with these officers to ask your leave to take away the idols from your temple and put Our Lady, Santa Maria, and a cross in their stead. My men are determined to pull the idols down, and, if you will not permit us, I suppose some one or other of your priests may be killed."

When Montezuma heard these words and saw how