HISTORY OF MEXICO. 299 



cried out to them to guard againft that attempt, unlefs 

 they deftred that the vengeance of their gods fhould im- 

 mediately pour down upon them. Cortes, incapable of ■ 

 being intimidated by their threats, anfwered, that he had 

 already frequently admonifhed them to abandon their 

 abominable fuperftition ; that fince they had not chofen 

 to take his counfel, which was fo advantageous for them, 

 he would no longer hold their friendfhip ; that if the 

 Totonacas themfelves were not refolved to take away 

 thofe deteftable images, he and his people would break 

 them, and that they muft guard cautioufly againft (hew- 

 ing any hoftility towards the Spaniards, otherwife they 

 would immediately charge upon them with fuch fury, 

 that they would not leave a native alive among them. 

 To thefe threats Marina added another more efficacious, 

 which was, that if they oppofed the intention of thofe 

 ftrangers, inftead of being allied with the Totonacas 

 againft the Mexicans, they would join the Mexicans in 

 alliance againft the Totonacas, and then their ruin would 

 be inevitable. This motive diverted the chief from the 

 firft dictates of his zeal, and the fear of the Mexican arms 

 prevailing over the fear of his gods, he told Cortes he 

 might do as he pleafed, for they had not courage them- 

 felves to put a facrilegious hand to their images. The 

 Spaniards no fooner obtained this permiffion, than fifty 

 of the foldiers mounting rapidly into the temple, took up 

 the idols from the altars, and threw them down the ftairs. 

 The Totonacas in the mean while lhed a lliower of tears, 

 and covered their eyes that they might not fee the facri- 

 lege ; praying their gods at the fame time, in a mourn- 

 ful voice, not to punifli the nation for the temerity of 

 thofe ftrangers, as they were unable to prevent it, with- 

 out falling a facrifice to the fury of the Mexicans. Never- 



thelefs 



