( '76 ) 



Their gods threatened to leave them unlefs we were put to death, for 

 having violated tl^eir temple, and it was the determination to obey their 

 will. This refolution was communicated to Montezuma by his priefts, 

 and all his chief warriors, who added to their religious fubjed: of com- 

 plaint, every other which they could colle(5l, relative to our condudt 

 fince we arrived in Mexico. The page Orteguilla alfo at this time came 

 to inform Cortes of fome alarming circumftances, fuch as a number of 

 fecret conferences which he had obferved, between Montezuma and his 

 nobility and chiefs, the angry and melancholy countenance of the king, 

 and other circumftances highly important and interefting to us. Cortes 

 immediately on hearing this, taking with him five of his captains, and 

 his interpreters, waited on Montezuma. The king feemed much dif- 

 treffed, and informed him, that he was grieved to have lately learned, 

 that it was the determination of his gods that we fhould all be put to 

 death, or expelled from Mexico; he, therefore, being our fincere 

 friend, recommended to us on no account to run the rilk, but to fave ' 

 our lives, whilll: it could be done, by a fpcedy retreat. Cortes and the 

 refl could not conceal their uneafinefs on hearing this, and no wonder. 

 The general, however, immediately replied, that he was on that occa- 

 lion much grieved at two things ; one was, his not having veflels; 

 ready for the purpofe of returning, the other, that in cafe of his doing 

 fo, he fhould be under the neceflity of taking his Majefty with him, 

 in order to prefent him to his fovereign the Emperor. He therefore in- 

 treated Montezuma, that he would reftrain his priefts and warriors, 

 until he fliould have time to build three Ihips, faying if this were not 

 acceded to, we were all refolved to die to the very laft man; and as a 

 proof of the fmcerity^of his determination to depart, he declared, that 

 he would immediately fend his fhipbuilders to fell wood and conftrud: 

 the veffels, on the coaft. The determination of Cortes to bring 

 Montezuma with him, made that monarch more diftrefled and dejedled 

 than ever; Cortes then repeated his affurance of no unnecefTary delay, 

 and defired the a^ffiftance of the king's carpenters in conftrudting the 

 velTels; at the fame time requefting his influence with the priefts and 

 nobility, to prevent any infurredion in the city, and his endeavours 



to 



