C 77 ) 



life; this foldier was afterwards killed in an adlion at a rock in Guati- 

 mala. I mention the circumftance as a proof of the ftridnefs with 

 which Cortes enforced difcipline. 



Proceeding from the place where this happened, we arrived at 

 fome huts where we found the fat cacique waiting for us with refrefh- 

 ments and provifions. Our conduct on this expedition made the na- 

 tives hold us in higher eftimation than before ; for although untaught, 

 they could fee that juftice is holy and good, and that the behaviour of 

 Cortes was conformable to what he profefTed, when he declared that he 

 came to redrefs and prevent tyranny. Here we refted for the night, and 

 on the enfuing day all the caciq^ues attended us to our lodgings in 

 their town. 



They were doubly interefted now to retain us amongft them, for 

 they were in great dread of the vengeance of Montezuma ; they there- 

 fore in order to fix us propofed an intermarriage, and for that purpofe 

 ofered to us eight ladies, all of the firft families, who were intro- 

 duced richly drefled, and ornamented with gold collars and ear rings, 

 and attended by a number of female flaves. The fat cacique then faid 

 to Cortes, •* Tecle or lord, thefe feven young women are for the cap- 

 ^* tains of your army, and this my niece who is proprietor of towns 

 '** and valTals, I beg leave to prefent to you," Cortes received the offer 

 as it merited, but took the opportunity to obferve, that in order to 

 ftrengthen the friendlhip with us, it was necefiary that they fhould firft 

 tenounce their idolatrous worfhip, the abominable cuftom of male 

 youths appearing in women's drcfs, and their human facrificesj for 

 every day our fight was offended by the repetition of four or five of thefe 

 horrid murders, the unfortunate vid:ims being cut up and their limbs 

 fold in the public markets, as beef is in the towns of Old Caftille. He 

 alfo added, that before we could accept their propofal relative to thefe 

 ladies, it was neceffary that they fhould undergo the ceremony of baptifm. 



The chiefs and priefts replied, that they could not think of re- 



nouncing 



