Page:Vol 1 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/390

270 reassure him, and declared that no obstacles were insurmountable to his men, whereupon Cacama hastened to state that Montezuma himself would willingly receive them, and did tender an invitation. He now returned to Mexico to prepare for the inevitable visit, leaving among the Spaniards the impression that if he, the inferior king, exhibited such grandeur, that of the emperor must indeed be imperial.

Proceeding along the lake they entered upon a causeway in width a spear's length, leading through the waters for over a half league to "the prettiest little town which we had yet seen, both with regard to its well built houses and towers, and to its situation, as Cortés remarks. The admiring soldiers called it Venezuela, or little Venice, the native name being Cuitlahuac. It was situated on an islet, connected also with the northern shore by an extension of the causeway, and contained a population of about two thousand families, supported chiefly by floriculture, which was carried on to a great extent by means of chinampas, or floating gardens. The chiefs came forth, headed by Atlpopocatzin, and showed themselves most attentive. Here again compliants were uttered about Aztec oppression, with the warning that the Spaniards would meet with no true friendship at Mexico.

The Mexican envoys suspected the disaffection of Cuitlahuac, and prevailed on the Spaniards to pass onward to Iztapalapan, where preparations had been made to receive them. As they neared the densely populated lake district, the crowds became larger and more curious, wondering at the fair hue and bushy