Page:The Mastering of Mexico.djvu/79

Rh the temple and began preaching to the congregation. Cortes asked Melchior to interpret, and when he found that the sermon led to unrighteous deeds, he sent for the papa and the cacique and by the aid of our interpreter told them that if they were to be our brothers they must cast out their idols which would lead their souls to hell. Continuing, he explained to them the good and holy things of our religion, and gave them, to set up, an image of Our Lady and a cross—which would always aid them and make their seeds grow. But still the papa and caciques answered that their forefathers had worshipped their gods because they were good gods, and they did not dare desert them.

Cortes then ordered us to break the idols and throw them down the steps. He commanded also that lime be brought from the town and Indian masons set up an altar. It proved a fair one, and on it we placed the figure of Our Lady. At the same time two of our carpenters made a cross of some timber which lay at hand, and this we placed in a small chapel we built behind the altar. After this a priest of ours, Juan Diaz, said mass in front of the new altar, the papa and all the Indians looking on with greatest attention. Our new-found Aguilar, to whom the caciques showed much friendship when they learned he could speak their language, advised