RETURN OF THE AMBASSADORS. 515 



required punishment from heaven, as also those of many LlB - vir - 

 Spaniards, which were not in small number. Thus the 

 high Judgements of God disposed of the health of this 

 nation, having first cut off the perished rootes : and as the 

 Apostle saieth, the wickednes and blindenes of some, hath Rom. xi. 

 beene the salvation of others. To conclude, the day after 

 this Ambassage, all the Captaines and Commanders of the 

 fleete came vnto the Admirall, where vnderstanding the 

 matter, and that this realmo of Monteruma was mightie and 

 rich : it seemed fit to gaine the reputation of brave and 

 valiant men among this people, and that by this meanes 

 (although they were few), they should bee feared and re 

 ceived into Mexico. To this end they discharged all their 

 artillerie from their shippes, which being a thing the 

 Indians had never heard, they were amazed, as if heaven 

 had fallen vpon them. Then the Spaniards beganne to 

 defie them to fight with them : but the Indians not daring 

 to hazard themselves, they did beate them and intreate 

 them ill, showing their swordcs, lances, partisans, and 

 other firmes, wherewith they did terrific them much. The 

 pooro Indians were by reason heereof so fearefull and 

 amazed, as they changed their opinion, saying, that their 

 Lord Topilcin came not in this troup. But they were some 

 gods (their enemies), come to destroy them. Whenas the 

 Ambassadors returned to Mexico, Monte^unia was in the 

 house of audience ; but before he would heare them, this 

 miserable man commanded a great number of men to be 

 sacrificed in his presence, and with their blood to sprinkle 

 the Ambassadors, supposing by this ceremony (which they 

 were accustomed to do in solemne Ambassages), to receive 

 a good answer. But vnderstanding the report and inform 

 ation of the maner of their shippes, men, and armes, he 

 stoode perplexed and confounded : then taking counsell 

 thereon, ho found no better meanes then to labour to 

 stoppe the entrie of these strangers by coniurations and 



i. L 2 



