CORTEZ LANDS INTERVIEW WITH THE AZTECS. 25 



dyed ; and baskets filled with golden ornaments. Cortez, in turn, 

 produced the gilts for the emperor, which were comparatively 

 insignificant; but, when the Aztec Governor desired to receive 

 the glittering helmet of one of the men, it was readily given as an 

 offering to the emperor, with the significant request that it might 

 be returned filled with gold, which Cortez told him was " a specific 

 remedy for a disease of the heart with which his countrymen, the 

 Spaniards, were sorely afflicted ! " 



During this interview between the functionaries it was noticed 

 by the adventurers that men were eagerly employed among the 

 Indians in sketching every thing they beheld in the ranks of the 

 strangers, — for, by this picture-writing, the Mexican monarch was 

 to be apprised in accurate detail of the men, horses, ships, armor, 

 force, and weapons of this motley band of invaders. 



These pictorial missives were swiftly borne by the Mexican 

 couriers to the Aztec capital among the mountains, and, together 

 with the oral account of the landing of Cortez and his demand for 

 an interview, were laid before the Imperial Court. It may well be 

 imagined that the extraordinary advent of the Captain General and 

 his squadron was productive of no small degree of excitement and 

 even tremor, among this primitive people ; for, not only were they 

 unnerved by the dread which all secluded races feel for innovation, 

 but an ancient prophecy had foretold the downfall of the empire 

 through the instrumentality of beings, who, like these adventurers, 

 were to "come from the rising sun." Montezuma, who was 

 then on the throne, had been elected to that dignity in 1502 in 

 preference to his brothers, in consequence of his superior quali- 

 fications as a soldier and a priest. His reign commenced ener- 

 getically; and whilst he, at first, administered the interior affairs 

 of his realm with justice, capacity, and moderation, his hand fell 

 heavily on all who dared to raise their arms against his people. 

 But, as he waxed older and firmer in power, and as his empire 

 extended, he began to exhibit those selfish traits which so often 

 characterize men who possess, for a length of time, supreme power 

 untrammelled by constitutional restraints. His court was sump- 

 tuous, and his people were grievously taxed to support its un- 

 bounded extravagance. This, in some degree, alienated the loyalty 

 of his subjects, while continued oppression finally led to frequent 

 insurrection. In addition to these internal discontents of the Aztec 

 empire, Montezuma had met in the nominal republic of Tlascala, — 

 lying midway between the valley of Mexico and the sea-coast, — 

 a brave and stubborn foe, whose civilization, unimpaired resources, 

 4 



