CHAPTER XCIX.

_How our two brigantines are launched, and Motecusuma, expressing a

wish to go a hunting, sails in one of these vessels to a river where

he usually went for that purpose._

When both our brigantines were launched, and completely rigged and

manned with sailors, Motecusuma expressed a wish to take a trip by water

to a river where he was accustomed to go for the purpose of hunting,

situated at the foot of a mountain along the banks of the lake. No one,

not even his principal officers, durst visit this spot for the sake of

killing game, under pain of death. Cortes answered, that, as far as

regarded himself, he in no way objected, but again impressed upon his

mind what he had told him on his visit to the temple: and he would

advise him to make use of one of the brigantines on the occasion, which

were much more safe than the canoes or pirogues.

Motecusuma was vastly pleased with this offer, and went on board the

better of the two, with a great number of his principal officers: the

other brigantine conveyed a son of the monarch, attended by numbers of

caziques; and the royal huntsmen followed in the canoes of the country.

Cortes took along with him Leon, Alvarado, Oli, and Avila, besides 200

of our troops, bidding them to pay particular attention to everything

that passed, and narrowly watch the person of Motecusuma. Besides this,

four cannon were brought on board, with the necessary powder, and our

artillerymen; so that every precaution was taken. A stiffish breeze

fortunately rose just as the brigantines were leaving, so that we were

able to make the best use of the sails, and the monarch was greatly

delighted at thus, as it were, flying across the lake: nor could the

canoes, filled with the huntsmen and other Mexican chiefs,

notwithstanding the number of their rowers, any way keep up with us,

which amused the monarch uncommonly, and he said it showed great skill

thus to be able to unite the power of the sails and the oars.

The desired river, therefore, which was not very far distant, was soon

reached. Here Motecusuma created terrible destruction among the deer,

hares, and rabbits, and returned highly delighted to his metropolis.

When we had arrived near to Mexico, he begged our officers to fire the

cannon, which gave him a new pleasure; and as we found that he was open

and frank, we experienced a real pleasure in paying him the same respect

as was shown him by his own grandees. But if I were to attempt a

description of his grandeur, and the perfect submission and deep

veneration which every prince of New Spain and other provinces evinced

towards his person, I should, perhaps, find no end. He had merely to say

the word, and everything was brought he desired, as the following

instance will prove. One day, as many of us officers and soldiers were

with Motecusuma, a hawk pounced upon a quail, which, with others, and

numbers of pigeons, was kept by his Indian major domo, whose business it

was to see that our quarters were always clean and tidy. This hawk

succeeded in seizing its prey, and flew off with it. As we were all

looking on, one of our men, Francisco de Azenedo, cried out, "O! what a

fine bird! how beautifully it flies away with its prey!" We were all of

the same opinion, and remarked, that this country altogether abounded

with birds that might be capitally trained for hawking.

Motecusuma, observing how lively we were discoursing together, was

curious to know what it was, and inquired the reason of his page

Orteguilla, who told him we were admiring the hawk which had pounced

upon the quail, and added, that if we had such a bird in our power, we

could teach it to fly from the hand, and attack a bird of any size and

kill it.

Then, returned Motecusuma, I will have this same hawk caught, and we

shall see whether they can teach it all they say. Upon which, we all

took our caps off and thanked him for his kindness. Motecusuma then sent

for his birdcatchers, and commanded them to bring him the hawk above

mentioned. These immediately set to work, and before the hour of Ave

Maria they actually caught the bird, and presented it to Azenedo, who

immediately recognized, by the plumage, that it was the identical one we

had seen. We saw many similar instances, and even stronger proofs of the

punctuality with which this monarch's orders were fulfilled. Even now,

in his confinement, his subjects not only continued to bring him tribute

from the most distant parts of New Spain, but they likewise obeyed his

commands implicitly, and stood in such great awe of him, that even the

birds which flew in the skies above were brought down for him if he

expressed a wish that way.

It is now, however, time to relate how suddenly the wheel of fortune

turned against us, by a conspiracy, which was set on foot by the

inhabitants, to put us all to death.