History of Mexico, Volume 1, 1516-1521Bancroft, Hubert Howe
History
History of Mexico, Volume 1, 1516-1521
Bancroft, Hubert Howe
Mexico -- History
master would not have presented a woman incumbered with a
child when he sought to do honor to the Spaniards. Saavedra
allows Marina to proceed to Spain with her husband, who
procured for her a high position at court. Here she died,
leaving several children, from whom descended some of the
first families in Spain. _Dic. Univ._, ix. 778. But this
authority is too full of blunders to be relied upon. Ideal
portraits are given in _Carbajal Espinosa_, _Hist. Mex._,
ii. 65, and _Zamacois_, _Hist. Méj._, ii. 350.
[155] I have said, as the native record interpreted by
Tezozomoc and Duran relates, that the fleet is sighted
and reported long before it reaches San Juan de Ulua—from
Tabasco, says Vetancvrt, _Teatro Mex._, ii. 114. Montezuma,
who had already begun to hope that the strangers would never
return, becomes sad with apprehension; yet he orders special
relays to be stationed on the route to the coast, in order
to bring speedy news, commands his lieutenant to furnish the
strangers with all they need, and sends Tlillancalqui, the
messenger who met Grijalva, to ascertain their object. He
is instructed to declare that Montezuma holds the throne as
mere deputy at the disposal of the white god, for he supposes
that it is Quetzalcoatl, as before. If the god intends to
proceed to Mexico the roads will be cleaned, and the towns
and stations prepared for his accommodation. Tlillancalqui
delivers his message, together with a necklace of gold set
with precious stones, and in his eagerness to please the
strange beings he offers fowl and tortilla to horses as
well as men. Cortés signifies his wish to go to Mexico,
and asks that chiefs be sent to guide him. Tlillancalqui
hurries back with the message, leaving orders to supply the
Spaniards with all they desire. _Duran_, _Hist. Ind._, MS.,
ii. 389-96; _Tezozomoc_, _Hist. Mex._, ii. 250-3. According
to the version by Sahagun and Torquemada, Montezuma sends
the same messengers whom he despatched the year before to
seek Grijalva, but who arrived too late. Their names are
Yohualychan, the leader, Tepuztecatl, Tizahua, Huehuetecatl,
and Hueycamecatleca. With them are sent the presents
already prepared for Grijalva, and the sacerdotal vestments
of Quetzalcoatl. On reaching the flag-ship they inquire
for their king and god Quetzalcoatl. At first surprised,
Cortés the next moment catches the clue. Seating himself
on an improvised throne, surrounded by a large suite, he
orders the messengers to appear. Being told that he is the
personage whom they seek, they prostrate themselves, kissing
the deck. The leader thereupon addresses him: ‘Welcome,
god and master; long have we, your servants and vassals,
waited for you. Montezuma, your vassal and lieutenant, sends
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