( '3° ) 



which is in the Water, and the other half on firm ground, hard by a 

 little ridge of hills, where there is now an inn. 



Early in the morning, when we were on the point of marching, 

 a centinel came to inform us, that a, great number of Mexicans, richly 

 drefled, were upon the road. Cortes therefore ordered us to return into 

 our quarters, and at that inftant four of the principal courtiers of Mexico 

 arrived, and waiting on Cortes with great refpedl informed him, that 

 Cacamatzin lord of Tezcuco, the nephew of the great Montezuma, was 

 approaching, and requefted that he would wait to receive him. Caca- 

 matzin followed in the greateft pomp, carried in a magnificent litter 

 adorned with green plumes, and enriched with jewels, fet in the 

 branched pillars of folid gold. He was borne by eight lords, who 

 alTifted him out of the litter, and fwcpt the way by which he was to 

 pafs. When he came into the prefence of Cortes he faid to him, 

 *' Malintzin, here am I and thofe lords to attend you to your refidence 

 " in our city, by order of the great Montezuma." Cortes embraced 

 the prince, and prefented him with three jewels of that kind called 

 margajitas, which are figured in different colours. We then fet forward 

 on the road to Mexico, which was crowded with multitudes of the na- 

 tives, and arrived at tlie caufeway of Iztapalapa, which leads to that 

 capital. When we beheld the number of populous towns on the water 

 and firm ground, and that broad caufeway, rurining ftraight and level 

 to the city, we could compare it to nothing but the enchanted fcenes we 

 had read of in Amadis of Gaul, from the great towers and temples, and 

 other edifices of lime and ftone which feemed to rife out of the water. 

 To many of us it appeared doubtful whether we were afleep or awake ; 

 nor is the manner in which I exprefs myfelf to be wondered at, for it 

 muft be confidered, that never yet did man fee, hear, or dream of any 

 thing equal to the fpedtacle which appeared to our eyes on this day. 



When we approached Iztapalapa, we were received by feveral 

 great lords of that country, relations of Montezuma, who conducfled 

 us to our lodgings there, in palaces magnificently built of ftone, and 



the 



