Page:The Mastering of Mexico.djvu/98

68 their governing cacique would come next day and bring more food.

On Easter the governing cacique did appear. His name was Teuhtlilli, a man of large affairs, and with him was another chief. Numbers of Indians bearing presents of fowls and greens followed, but Teuhtlilli told these to stand back while he walked towards Cortes and, after the Indian custom, made him three reverential bows, which he repeated to us who stood nearest. Cortes, embracing both caciques, bade them welcome and asked them to wait a little. Meanwhile he ordered the altar to be trimmed and our men assembled for service before it. Both caciques looked on and afterwards dined with Cortes and several officers.

When the tables had been cleared, Cortes, aided by our two interpreters. Donna Marina and Aguilar, explained to the Mexicans that we were Christian subjects of the most powerful ruler on earth, who had commanded us to come to this country because he had heard of the great cacique who governed it; that for himself, Cortes wished to be their monarch's friend, and he had many things to disclose, which, when he heard, would delight him; with friendly understanding he wished to trade, too, and he wanted to know where their mighty monarch lived so that he might meet and confer with him.

To this Teuhtlilli answered with pride, "Since you