powerful empire, and has kings and princes for his vassals. Having heard much of the greatness of the emperor of Mexico, my master wishes to enter into communication with him, and has sent me as his envoy to wait on Montezuma with a present, in token of his good-will, and a message which I must deliver in person. When can I be admitted to your sovereign's presence?"

"How is it that you have been here only two days and demand to see the emperor?" the Aztec noble haughtily demanded.

"I have a message for the emperor, and am in a hurry to deliver it," answered Cortez, not at all perturbed by the impatience and anger of his guest.

Teuhtlile was averse to the Spaniards going to Mexico. Montezuma, in his capital, desired to communicate with the invaders by embassadors, but he was not at home to Cortez in his own house. "I am surprised to learn that there is another monarch as powerful as Montezuma," Teuhtlile said, after a brief silence. "But if there be one, my emperor will be happy to communicate with him. I will send my couriers with the royal gifts brought by you, and as soon as I have learned the wishes of Montezuma, I will communicate with you."

Estevan, who was present, wore a glittering steel helmet. This attracted the attention of Teuhtlile.

"Give me the glittering cap to send to Montezuma," he said, "that he may know the pale-faced men, long prophesied by Quetzalcoatl, have come." His strange request was made known to Cortez. "Send your helmet to the emperor," he said to Estevan; "you can get another one."

Estevan approached the governor to give him the helmet. As he did so, he discovered an Indian hastily making marks on a bit of canvas.

"Have you observed that fellow?" he asked Cortez.

"No; what is he doing?"

"He is an artist. He has made a drawing of us, the soldiers, the tents, and the arms."

Turning to Marina, who was always at his side, Cortez asked her what the Indian was doing.

"He has been sent to make pictures of all he sees, and take them to Montezuma," she answered.

In other words, the young Indian was a royal reporter. The Aztecs had a system of hieroglyphics by which thought was communicated. Estevan went to look at the canvas of the artist, and discovered that it was not a bad sketch of Cortez, himself, and the other Spaniards, with costumes, arms, and, in short, every object of interest, in its appropriate color, displaying no mean talent. Cortez caused the cavalry to be brought out on the wet sands, and the wonderful war-horses, richly

caparisoned, inspired the Mexicans with dread; but when they heard the thunder of cannon, and saw the branches and bodies of trees shivered by iron balls, they were more than ever amazed, and retired, filled with awe of the invaders. When the governor left them, Cortez asked Doña Marina what the governor meant by the pale men of Quetzalcoatl. "It is the popular tradition of Quetzalcoatl," she answered.

"Who was Quetzalcoatl ?" "The fair god."

Filled with amazement, Cortez asked, "Who is the fair god?"

Doña Marina mustered up all the Spanish she knew, and answered:

“He was a god, who, many years ago, lived in Mexico. It was so long ago that the oldest people do not remember him. His face was fair like yours, and he had a long beard. He was good and noble, and after performing his mission of benevolence he left us. Under him, Mexico was more prosperous than ever before or since. He instructed our people in the use of metals, in agriculture, and in governing. The earth teemed with fruits and. flowers without the pains of culture. An ear of maize was as much as a man could carry. The cotton, as it grew, took the richest colors, of its own accord, and the air was filled with intoxicating

perfumes and sweetest songs of birds. Such days Mexico has never known since."

"Why did Quetzalcoatl leave?" Cortez asked. "He incurred the wrath of one of the principal gods."

"For what cause?"

"Our people never knew."

"How did he go away?"

"He went from Mexico to Cholulu, where he halted, and his followers built a temple there and dedicated it to his worship. Then he went to the gulf, where he took leave of his followers, saying, 'I and my descendants will revisit you.' Then he entered his wizard boat, made of serpents' skins, and sailed for the land of Tlapallan. Teuhtlile believes you are either Quetzalcoatl or a descendant of his, for it is believed by all that his return is near at hand.”

"I learned from them, that nine years ago the great lake of Tezcuco, without any occurrence of tempest, or earthquake, or any other visible cause, became violently agitated, overflowed its banks, and, pouring into the city of Mexico, swept off many of the buildings by the fury of the waters.*

*The above legends are given by Prescott and other historians.