CHAPTER XXXVIII.

_How we arrive with our vessels in San Juan de Ulua, and what we did

there._

On Holy Thursday, in the year of our Lord 1519, we arrived with our

whole squadron in the harbour of San Juan de Ulua. As Alaminos well

remembered this spot from the expedition under Grijalva, he brought our

ships to anchor in a place where they were sheltered from the north

wind. We had scarcely lain here half an hour when we espied two large

canoes, which are called here pirogues, filled with a number of Indians,

making straight for Cortes's vessel, which, from the large flag hanging

from the mast-head, they recognized as our commander's ship. They

climbed on board without any ceremony, and inquired for the _Tlatoan_,

which, in their language, means master. Dona Marina understood their

question, and pointed to Cortes; they, therefore, turned to him, paying

him great reverence after the Indian fashion, and bid him welcome. Their

master, they said, who was a servant of the great Motecusuma, had sent

them in order to ascertain who we were and what we came to seek in his

country. We had only to inform them of what we wanted for our ships, and

they would see that it was provided.

Cortes thanked them for their kindness, through Aguilar and Dona Marina,

presented them with some blue glass beads, and ordered some meat and

drink to be placed before them. After they had taken some refreshment,

he told them we were merely come here to make their acquaintance, and

open a trade with them: we had not the remotest intention of doing them

an injury, nor need they apprehend anything from our arrival. The

ambassadors now returned, well contented, to their homes. The following

morning, Good Friday, we disembarked our horses and cannon near some

sand-hills which here run along the whole coast. Our artilleryman Mesa

placed the cannon on a very advantageous spot, and we erected an altar

where mass was immediately performed: for Cortes and the other chief

officers huts were constructed of green boughs; the rest of us likewise

constructed huts, and slept three together: the horses also were well

provided for. The whole of Good Friday was spent in this work; and on

the Saturday many Indians arrived, who had been sent by a man of

distinction, named Quitlalpitoc, governor under Motecusuma: this

personage was afterwards christened Ovandillo. They had axes with them,

and cut off an additional quantity of branches to make a better finish

to Cortes's hut, which they then overhung with large pieces of cloth,

to keep out the heat, which was already very great. They also brought

along with them fowls, maise-bread, and plums, which were then nice and

ripe; also, if I rightly recollect, they had with them some gold

trinkets. All these things they handed over to Cortes, adding, that the

governor himself would come the next day and bring with him a further

supply of provisions. Cortes joyfully accepted of these presents, and

ordered various kinds of toys we had brought for barter to be given

them, with which they were uncommonly delighted. On Easter day, the

governor indeed appeared in person, as had been assured us. His name was

_Teuthlille_, and he was one of the farmer generals of the Mexican

empire. He was accompanied by another person of distinction, called

Quitlalpitoc. We subsequently learnt that both these personages were

appointed governors over the provinces Cotastlan, Tustepec,

Guazpaltepec, and Tlatateteclo, and other townships recently subdued.

They were followed by a great number of Indians, carrying the presents,

consisting of fowls and greens. Teuthlille having ordered the others to

stand back a little, walked up to Cortes, and made him three most

reverential bows, after the Indian fashion, which he repeated on turning

to us who stood nearest. Cortes bid both welcome, then embraced them,

and desired them to wait a little, as he would afterwards give them a

more circumstantial answer. In the meantime he ordered the altar to be

fitted up as prettily as possible. Francisco Bartolome and father Juan

Diaz performed mass. Both the governors and the principal personages of

their suite were present during the ceremony, after which Cortes sat

down to dinner with them.

After the table had been cleared, Cortes, with the assistance of Aguilar

and Dona Marina, entered into conversation with the Mexican officials

and the caziques, telling them we were Christians, and subjects of the

greatest monarch of the world, whose name was emperor Charles, and that

he had many great personages among his vassals and servants. We had come

by his command to their country, of which and its powerful monarch who

now reigned over it, his majesty had heard long ago. As far as regarded

himself, he was desirous of becoming his friend, and had to disclose

many things to him, in the name of his emperor, which he would listen to

with delight. In order that a good understanding might be established

between him and his subjects, they should acquaint him with the place

where their monarch resided, that he might pay his respects to him, and

make the necessary disclosures. To which Teuthlille answered in a rather

imperious tone, "Since you are but just arrived, it would be more

fitting that you, previous to your desiring an interview with my

monarch, should accept this present, which we have brought you in his

name, and disclose your wishes to me." He then brought forth, out of a

species of box, a quantity of gold trinkets, of beautiful and skilful

workmanship, besides more than twenty packages of stuffs very prettily

worked of white cotton and feathers. These they presented to Cortes,

with various other costly things, which, owing to the number of years

which have since elapsed, I cannot now remember, besides provisions,

consisting in quantities of fowls, fruits, and dried fish. Cortes

accepted all this with a joyful countenance, presenting these gentlemen

in return with glass beads resembling brilliants, and other things we

brought from Spain. He begged of them to desire the inhabitants of the

different districts to commence trading with us, as we possessed various

articles which we were desirous of exchanging for gold; this they

promised to do.

Cortes then ordered an arm-chair to be brought, beautifully painted and

adorned with inlaid work, some pieces of precious stones, wrapt in

cotton cloth, perfumed with musk, a necklace of imitation pearls, a

scarlet cap, with a medal, on which was represented the holy St. George

on horseback, with lance in hand, killing the dragon. Cortes addressed

Teuthlille, and said, that he presented this chair to his monarch

Motecusuma, that he might sit in it when he should pay him a visit, and

the string of pearls to wind around his head on the same occasion; all

of which were presents from the emperor our master, who had sent these

things to his monarch in token of friendship and as a proof of the

esteem in which he held him: he ought now to inform us where and when he

could personally wait upon him. Teuthlille accepted the presents, and

said, in return, that his master Motecusuma, as he was also a great

monarch, would on his side be equally delighted to learn something about

our great emperor: he would hasten to lay the presents before him, and

return with his answer.

Teuthlille had with him very clever painters, for there were such in

Mexico, and he ordered them to sketch the likeness and whole person of

Cortes, with the dress he wore; also all the other chief officers, the

soldiers, our vessels, horses, Dona Marina, and Aguilar; even our two

dogs, the cannon, the balls; in short, everything they could fix their

eyes on belonging to us: these paintings they took along with them to

show to their monarch. In order, however, to convey to him a still

greater idea of our power, Cortes ordered our cannon to be heavily laden

with powder, so as to produce a very loud report, commanding also

Alvarado and the other cavaliers to mount their horses, to hang bells

around the necks of the latter, and to gallop up in full speed in

presence of Motecusuma's ambassadors. Cortes also mounted his horse, and

said to the others, "It would be capital if we could gallop across these

sand-hills at full speed; but, as we should so easily stick in the sand,

it will be better for us to ride two and two along the sea-shore at low

water." He then gave the command of the horse to Alvarado, whose brown

mare was a spirited animal, and very swift. All this was done in

presence of the Mexican ambassadors; but, that they might likewise see

the cannon fired, Cortes, under the pretence of having something further

to communicate, took them and several other principal personages to a

spot where they might have a good view of it. The weather was perfectly

calm; and when the cannon was fired, the stone balls flew with a

tremendous crash along the sand-hills, re-echoing for a length of time.

The Indians were terribly startled, and ordered their painters to

represent this likewise, to them so novel a sight, that they might show

it to Motecusuma.

One of our men had on a casque, which was partly gilt; Teuthlille, who

was much more enlightened than any of his companions, remarked, when his

eye fell upon it, that it bore a great resemblance to a helmet which

belonged to their most ancient forefathers, and now adorned the head of

their warrior-god Huitzilopochtli. Motecusuma, he further added, would

certainly be uncommonly pleased if he could likewise see this casque.

Cortes, on hearing this, ordered the casque to be presented to him,

thereby expressing the wish, that he should like to satisfy himself that

the gold of this country was similar to what we find in our rivers. If

they would send him the casque full of gold dust, he would send it to

our great emperor. Upon this Teuthlille took leave of Cortes and all of

us, promising to return speedily, while Cortes, under the most tender of

embraces, made him every profession of friendship.

After this personage had taken his departure, we learnt that he was not

merely a distinguished statesman, but also the most nimble pedestrian at

Motecusuma's court. He did, indeed, use the utmost expedition to bring

his monarch information, and hand over to him the paintings and

presents. The great Motecusuma was vastly astonished at everything he

heard and saw, and yet he was pleased. But, when at last he espied the

casque, and compared it with that of the idol Huitzilopochtli, he no

longer doubted for an instant that we belonged to that people, whom his

forefathers had prophesied would, one time or other, come and subdue the

country.

Concerning these things Gomara has adduced much of which he had been ill

informed; I will not, however, detain myself by contradicting him, but

continue my narrative.