Page:The Mastering of Mexico.djvu/49

Rh of gold in the shape of lizards and ducks, and three necklaces and other articles made of a low grade of gold. Although the presents they offered were of little value, all together not worth two hundred dollars, still we were glad of the proof they brought that there was gold in this country. They also brought some cloaks and waistcoats, such as they wear, and said we must accept them in good part for they had no more gold to give us, but that further on, towards the setting of the sun, there was plenty of gold, adding "Colua! Colua! Mexico! Mexico!" We, however, did not know what Colua, or Mexico, could mean.

As soon as they had made us the presents they told us we might set out, and after our captain, had thanked them and given each some green beads, we determined to re-embark, for if a norther should begin to blow the two ships would be in danger; and we had now, moreover, to go in quest of that strange country, "Mexico! Mexico!" which, these Indians said, abounded in gold.

We boarded our ships and ran along the coast for two days, when we came in sight of a town. We could see crowds of Indians hurrying to and fro along the shore—their shields made of huge tortoiseshells glittered so beautifully in the sun that some of our soldiers believed them gold. Further along we came to a bay into which the Tonala flows, and