LAKE OF TEZCOCO RECEPTION BY MONTEZUMA. 33 



islands, made of reeds and wicker-work, covered with soil, brimmed 

 with luxuriant vegetation whose splendid fruits and odorous petals 

 rested on the waters. Several large towns were built on artificial 

 foundations in the lake. And, every where, around the Spaniards, 

 were beheld the evidences of a dense population, whose edifices, 

 agriculture, and labors denoted a high degree of civilization and 

 intelligence. As the foreign warriors proceeded onwards towards 

 the city, which rose before them with its temples, palaces and 

 shrines, covered with hard stucco that glistened in the sun, they 

 crossed a wooden drawbridge in the causeway ; and, as they passed 

 it, they felt that now, indeed, if they faltered, they were completely 

 in the grasp of the Mexicans, and more effectually cut off from all 

 retreat than they had been when the fleet was destroyed at Vera 

 Cruz. 



Near this spot they were encountered by Montezuma with his 

 court, who came forth in regal state to salute his future conqueror. 

 Surrounded by all the pageantry and splendor of an oriental mon- 

 arch, he descended from the litter in which he was borne from the 

 city, and, leaning on the shoulders of the Lords of Tezcoco and of 

 Iztapalapan, — his nephew and brother, — he advanced towards the 

 Spaniards, under a canopy and over a cotton carpet, whilst his 

 prostrate subjects manifested, by their abject demeanor, the fear or 

 respect which the presence of their sovereign inspired. 



" Montezuma was at this time about forty years of age. His 

 person was tall and slender, but not ill-made. His hair, which was 

 black and straight, was not very long. His beard was thin; his 

 complexion somewhat paler than is often found in his dusky, or 

 rather copper-colored race. His features, though serious in their 

 expression, did not wear the look of melancholy, or dejection, which 

 characterizes his portrait, and which may well have settled on them 

 at a later period. He moved with dignity, and his whole demeanor, 

 tempered by an expression of benignity not to have been anticipated 

 from the reports circulated of his character, was worthy of a great 

 prince. Such is the picture left to us of the celebrated Indian 

 Emperor in this his first interview with the white men." 1 



As this mighty prince approached, Cortez halted his men, and, 

 advancing with a few of his principal retainers, was most cour- 

 teously welcomed by Montezuma, who, adroitly concealing his cha- 

 grin, diplomatically expressed the uncommon delight he experienced 

 at this unexpected visit of the strangers to his capital. Our hero 



1 Prescott. 



5 



