THE NOCHE TRISTE 168 After the painting in the Academy of Fine Arts at Mexico. THE GREAT BATTLE OF OTUMBA 196 After the painting by M. Ramirez. ADRIAN OF UTRECHT (POPE ADRIAN VI.) 354 After the painting in the Galleria Uffizi at Florence. BOOK IV RESIDENCE IN MEXICO (CONTINUED) CONQUEST OF MEXICO CHAPTER V MONTEZUMA SWEARS ALLEGIANCE TO SPAIN--ROYAL TREASURES--THEIR DIVISION--CHRISTIAN WORSHIP IN THE TEOCALLI--DISCONTENTS OF THE AZTECS 1520 Cortés now felt his authority sufficiently assured to demand from Montezuma a formal recognition of the supremacy of the Spanish emperor. The Indian monarch had intimated his willingness to acquiesce in this, on their very first interview. He did not object, therefore, to call together his principal caciques for the purpose. When they were assembled, he made them an address, briefly stating the object of the meeting. They were all acquainted, he said, with the ancient tradition that the great Being who had once ruled over the land had declared, on his departure, that he should return at some future time and resume his sway. That time had now arrived. The white men had come from the quarter where the sun rises, beyond the ocean, to which the good deity had withdrawn. They were sent by their master to reclaim the obedience of his ancient subjects. For himself, he was ready to acknowledge his authority. “You have been faithful vassals of mine,” continued Montezuma, “during the many years that I have sat on the throne of my fathers. I now expect that you will show me this last act of obedience by acknowledging the great king beyond the waters to be your lord, also, and that you will pay him tribute in the same manner as you have hitherto done to me.”[1] As he concluded, his voice was nearly stifled by his emotion, and the tears fell fast down his cheeks.