CORTES having divided his men into eleven companies, and placed captains
over them,[1] they all embarked, and on the 10th of February set sail
from Havana. Ere long they came near the island Cozumel. The frightened
inhabitants, seeing the approach of the fleet, fled from the shores. Nor
were they idly frightened, for they soon felt the hands of the
plunderers. Pedro de Alvarado’s company was the first to land, and
seeing in one of the temples an idol, beautifully adorned with gold,
they instantly stripped it, and seized two or three of the natives
Cortes, seeing that such rashness would at once ruin his prospects,
immediately rebuked Alvarado, and caused him to release the prisoners
and deliver up the ornaments. Upon this the natives lost some of their
fears, and mingled freely with the new-comers.
Cortes now observed that the natives frequently used the word
_Castillano_, and this led to an important discovery. He knew that the
word must have been learned of some Spaniard, and therefore supposed
that one or more of his countrymen might be on the island. After a long
search, he succeeded in finding one man, and the poor fellow was happy
indeed when they discovered him, for he had gone through many sorrows.
He was completely black, was covered only with a few rags thrown loosely
over his shoulders and around his waist, and had grown to be, in his
manners, almost an Indian. Upon his back he carried a small bundle, in
which, among other trifles that he had, were some pieces of a
prayer-book. It was with great difficulty that he told his story to his
countrymen, for he had almost lost the use of his native tongue. His
name (he said) was Geronimo de Aguilar. He was a native of Ecija, and
had received holy orders. Eight years before, he had been wrecked on a
voyage from Darien to Hispaniola. He and his companions tried to save
themselves in a boat, but storms had driven them upon the coast of
Cozumel, where they were seized by the natives and reduced to slavery.
Some of them had at length been sacrificed, and many had died of hard
labor. He had at last, by the providence of God, found a friend in one
of the Caciques, who took care of him and treated him with kindness. Of
all his companions, one only remained beside himself, and he had joined
the Indians and become one of their tribe. Cortes immediately took this
poor fellow into his service, and, as it turned out, he proved a great
help in acting as an interpreter between his countrymen and the Indians.
On the fourth of March the fleet left Cozumel and moved towards the
river Tabasco. At this place Cortes expected a friendly meeting with the
natives, inasmuch as Grijalva had there been treated very kindly. In
this he was disappointed. It seems that these friendly people had been
reproached by the neighboring tribes, for their kind reception of
Grijalva. And now, when Cortes came in sight, instead of friends he
found enemies. Every thing seemed warlike. He saw canoes moving about
filled with warriors, and thousands of men assembled on the shore to
oppose him. Cortes at once knew that he was to have a struggle, but,
desirous of peace if possible, he requested of the people through
Aguilar, that he might meet their chiefs. This they promptly refused, at
the same time making dreadful threats against the Spaniards. Cortes made
no farther attempt to treat with them, but determined at once to
disembark near the town, and meet the difficulty. Accordingly, he kept
on his course up the river. The natives, seeing this movement, flocked
to the spot where they supposed he would land. Crowds soon covered the
banks of the river in that quarter, shouting and making a tremendous
noise with their trumpets and drums. Nevertheless, the fleet cast
anchor, and the landing commenced. Clouds of arrows were now poured in
upon them from the land, while the warriors in their canoes opposed them
fiercely with their lances. But the resolute Spaniards were not to be
driven back. Through the water and mud, they fought their way in spite
of numbers, and reached the bank. This was no sooner done, than Cortes
placed himself at the head of his men, and made a tremendous attack upon
the natives, which soon scattered them. He now reviewed his troops, and
found that fourteen of his followers had been wounded. He resolved,
therefore, not to pursue the enemy, but fixed his camp for the night,
and posted his sentinels around to prevent any surprise.
In the mean time, the news of their defeat was carried through the
country by the Indians, and they rallied in strong numbers for another
struggle upon the great plain of Ceutla. Cortes had expected this, and
prepared himself to meet it. His horses (thirteen only in number) were
brought ashore, the best riders were mounted upon them, and he himself
took the command of this little troop of cavalry. His other troops (the
infantry and artillery) were trusted to the command of Ordaz and Mesa.
Matters being thus arranged, he pushed forward to meet the enemy. Ere
long, they came in sight of them. The whole plain was covered with the
multitude, and a hideous looking multitude it was. With their faces
daubed with red and black paint, and armed with their shields, lances,
bows, and slings, they were moving about, making ready for the battle;
while here and there the Spaniards marked the chiefs, with tufts of
feathers on their heads, who seemed to be urging them on. The woods rang
with the noise of their drums and trumpets. Sweeping round the plain
with his horsemen, Cortes managed to pass unseen to the rear of the
enemy, so as to prevent any retreat, while his other troops were to move
directly forward and attack them in front. The Indians, however, did not
wait for their attack. Thinking the first blow the best, they gave it
themselves. As soon as they saw them, they pressed forward and let fly a
tremendous volley of arrows. The Spaniards for a moment fell back; one
man was killed, and twenty wounded. The artillery troops now rushed
forward, and bringing their guns to bear, literally raked down the
Indians. Notwithstanding this, the Indians waged the light furiously
and fearlessly, and the chances of war were in their favor, until
Cortes showed himself. The plain was smooth, and he with his horsemen
swept over it, carrying everything before them. This decided the day.
The frightened Indians now saw that resistance was idle; they looked
upon horse and rider as one tremendous monster; and such as could, fled
for the woods and marshes. Eight hundred of their number were left dead
on the field, while two Spaniards only had been killed.
This was their second defeat, and now they were ready to submit. Fifteen
men, with their faces painted black in sign of sorrow, were soon sent to
the Spanish camp, bearing presents of fowls, corn, and roasted fish.
Cortes received them with so much kindness, that on the next day thirty
of the chief warriors came forward and begged the privilege of burying
their dead. This favor Cortes readily granted. He feared, however, that
these people were treacherous, and in a little time might rally again to
oppose him. As soon, therefore, as the melancholy duty of burying the
dead was ended, he assembled the people before him, and threatened awful
vengeance if they attempted any further opposition. To frighten them the
more, he caused one of the cannons to be discharged, and then his
best-trained horses and riders were brought out, and various terrifying
feats performed before them. The frightened natives now looked upon the
Spaniards with amazement and reverence, and at once promised fidelity
to the Spanish king. Not satisfied with professions of love, they
brought to Cortes many strange presents, such as toys of gold, made to
look like dogs, lizards, ducks, and other animals; and to prove their
friendship with a crowning gift, they presented to him twenty of their
women.
This last was the most valuable present, for among these women there was
one who afterwards became known under the name of Doña Marina, and
proved a great help to Cortes. She was a female of high rank among her
countrymen--the daughter of a cacique or prince, who held his dominions
subject to the Emperor of Mexico. Unhappily for her, her father died
while she was an infant. Her mother afterwards married again, and having
a son by her new husband, learned to despise her daughter. Her feelings
were so bitter towards the child, that she determined to cheat her of
her inheritance, that she might gain it for the boy. Accordingly, she
secretly gave her away to some merchants of Xicallanco, and at the same
time spread the story far and wide that the child was dead. The
merchants to whom she was given sold her to one of the chiefs of
Tabasco, and the chief now presented her to Cortes. This woman, as you
will see, proved of great service in two ways. First, she acted as an
interpreter: understanding the Mexican language and the Maja tongue
also, which Aguilar understood, she was able to interpret between the
Spaniards and Mexicans. Then, too, she understood the manners, habits,
and prejudices of the natives, and was enabled to help Cortes to many
advantages, and to guard him against many dangers--all which she did
cheerfully, for she soon formed a strong attachment for the Spanish
leader.
Having thus brought the natives to his own terms, Cortes prepared to
leave Tabasco. He caused his men (together with the Indians, who
cheerfully assisted) to erect upon the plain of Ceutla a large cross
made of the _Cieba_-tree, as a memorial of his victory; and then Palm
Sunday being at hand, he brought all the natives of the neighborhood
together to worship around the cross with Father Olmedo. The Spaniards
say, that many of these poor men were at once made converts to
Christianity, and baptized by Olmedo; but this can hardly be believed.
Many were baptized, but probably not one of them knew what he was doing.
They readily obeyed any wish of the Spaniards, and one wish was that
they should be baptized. At all events, in the evening they parted good
friends to their conquerors, the Indians promising a “perpetual love;”
and the next morning the fleet set sail for the harbor of San Juan de
Ulua.
Early in April,[2] they reached that harbor. Scarcely had they dropped
their anchors and hoisted their standard, when Cortes saw two large
canoes, full of people, coming towards the fleet. Two of these people
seemed to be persons of note, and, without any signs of fear, came on
board the principal vessel. They spoke to Cortes in a friendly way, and
by means of Aguilar and Doña Marina, he was able to understand them.
They were messengers (they said) from the chief who was trusted with the
command of that province by the great Emperor Montezuma, and were sent
to learn what had brought Cortes to their country, and also to offer any
assistance they could render him for prosecuting his voyage. Cortes, in
his turn, received them very kindly, assuring them that he himself was
the subject of a mighty king, and had a message of great importance to
deliver to their sovereign, which would greatly help their country; and
that he had towards them no thoughts but those of peace and friendship.
At his invitation, they then refreshed themselves by eating, and after
this they were sent back to the chief, loaded with quantities of toys as
presents. The chief and his people were now greatly delighted. Far from
opposing his landing, they were ready to aid him in making it, and when
he ordered his men to erect their huts upon the shore, in this also they
cheerfully assisted. After a little time, a number came, bringing
supplies of bread, fowls, and fruit, with a promise that the governor
of the province would shortly visit him.
Accordingly, on the next day, their chief, whose name was Teutchlile, in
company with Quitlalpitoc, another chief, came to the Spanish camp with
a great train of followers. Cortes received them with great respect, and
invited them to eat with him. This being over, he informed Teutchlile
that he was a subject to Don Carlos, the greatest monarch of the world,
and at his desire had come to their country with an important message to
their sovereign; that the message was such a one that he could deliver
it to no person except the Emperor himself, and therefore hoped he might
immediately be allowed to see him. This greatly startled the two chiefs.
They knew the fears and apprehensions of Montezuma since the appearance
of strangers upon the coast, and that it would be impossible to obtain
the privilege which Cortes sought,--and yet they were afraid to rouse
the Spaniard by a refusal. Hoping to satisfy him in another way,
Teutchlile at once ordered certain rich presents to be brought forward,
which he declared that Montezuma had sent, in the hope that Cortes would
receive them. These consisted of a quantity of fine cotton garments,
plumes of many different colors, and a variety of toys made of gold. The
poor ignorant Indian did not know that the demand of Cortes was made
only that he might reach the heart of their country, and that the sight
of his rich presents would only excite him the more, and make him the
more determined to carry out his purpose. Cortes received his presents
in a friendly way, and in return gave them, as presents for Montezuma,
some artificial diamonds, a richly-carved arm-chair, and a crimson cap
adorned with a golden medal of Saint George; and, with this, demanded
more earnestly that he might be taken to the Emperor to deliver his
message.
While all this was going on, some of the followers of Teutchlile were
busy in painting upon pieces of white cotton, pictures of the strangers,
with their ships, horses, and cannon. Cortes, hearing that these
pictures were to be taken to Montezuma, that he might learn something of
his new visiters, determined that with them the painters should carry
such a report as should terrify the Emperor. Accordingly, he immediately
ordered his troops to form in battle array, and with great skill they
went through their military exercises. Then his horsemen were brought
forward, and the Mexicans stood speechless as they looked at their
fierce and wonderful performances. Next the cannon were discharged, and
now they were completely overcome: some fled, while others fell flat on
their faces. It was with great difficulty that Cortes, after a while,
succeeded in calming their fears, and bringing them all again around
him.
Cortes now again urged his demand, and at length, with fair promises
that his message and presents should be delivered to Montezuma, and that
he should soon have an answer, Teutchlile with his train was leaving the
camp, when suddenly he saw a helmet which he greatly desired. It looked
(as he said) like the helmet that adorned the head of _Huitzilopochtli_,
their god of war, and begged that he might present it to the Emperor.
This request Cortes readily granted, and they all departed. This last
gift, as you will see, proved to be a most unfortunate present.
Before these messages reached Montezuma, he had been greatly alarmed by
rumors as to these strangers. It seems that the Mexican Empire was
managed with great system in every way. Along the principal roads,
couriers were placed at certain distances, and through them news was
rapidly carried from one end to the other of the empire. In this way he
had gathered strange stories of Cortes and his followers. At length the
messengers arrived. Montezuma was pleased with the presents, but their
pictures, together with their stories and the helmet, greatly increased
his alarm. The helmet called up in his heart the saddest forebodings.
His head was full of superstitions, and he saw in this helmet something
which told him of the end of his empire. There was a strange tradition
among the Mexicans at this time, “that _Quetzalcoatl_, the god of the
air, had disappeared a long time ago, promising to return after a
certain time to rule over the people of Mexico.”[3] Montezuma fancied
that these Spaniards in their armor were like the god of the air, and
trembled for his authority. To the demand of Cortes he gave a positive
refusal, and yet, afraid to provoke him, to lessen his disappointment,
and secure his friendship, he determined upon sending him some very rich
presents. Accordingly, in less than a week, Teutchlile and his followers
again reached the Spanish camp, laden with these presents.
As they came into the presence of Cortes now, in token of respect they
touched the earth with their fingers, and then kissed them. Their
splendid presents were then brought forward. There were cloths of cotton
worked so finely that they resembled silk, beautiful pictures made of
different colored feathers, various toys of animals made of gold,
together with collars and bracelets of the same precious metal, pearls
and precious stones, and, best of all in the eyes of the Spaniards, was
an enormous plate of gold made in the form of a circle, to represent the
Mexican age of fifty years, having the sun in the centre.[4] Cortes
received these with great delight, and then demanded when he should see
the Emperor. The messengers, in as mild a way as possible, informed him
that Montezuma was not disposed to see him at his court; that he feared
the Mexicans would be excited if strange soldiers were seen in the
capital of the empire, and moreover that he thought it dangerous for
Cortes to attempt to reach him, inasmuch as he would have to pass
through barren deserts, meeting many hostile tribes. Cortes was now more
decided than ever. He insisted upon being taken immediately to the
emperor, declaring that he would never leave their country, until he had
faithfully delivered the message of his master Don Carlos.
The messengers were now in a worse condition than before. They had seen
Montezuma’s fears and they now saw Cortes’ resolution. Afraid to offend
either party, they at last prevailed upon Cortes to remain with his men
where he was, until they should bring him a farther message from
Montezuma.
Reaching the capital again, they found the Emperor in the same fearful
state of mind, and his fears became greater when he learned how Cortes
persisted in his demand. It seems strange, that this great monarch
should have been so much startled by the appearance of a handful of
strangers in his kingdom. His dominions were two hundred leagues from
north to south, and five hundred from east to west; they were covered by
a numerous and warlike race of men, and he himself had almost the
complete control of his people. Often had he led them on to victory,
until his name had come to be a protection to friends and a terror to
enemies, and had he at once marched against the Spaniards he might
readily have crushed them. But the truth is, he was a slave to
superstitious fears, and, like most men frightened in this way, the
longer he looked at danger, the greater it seemed to be. The poor man’s
head was filled with old traditions, and prophecies, and strange dreams,
and everything seemed to tell him that the end of his great empire was
at hand. When the messengers told him that Cortes still insisted on
seeing him, he was provoked as well as frightened at his boldness. In a
storm of passion, he swore that the Spaniards should never leave his
country; that he would seize them all, and sacrifice them to the
gods--then his fears mastered him, and he gave up all thought of
attacking them. Thus wavering between anger and fear, he did not know
what to do, and was hardly fit to attempt anything. At length, he
despatched his messengers, with positive orders to Cortes to leave his
country immediately, while at the same time his fears prompted him to
load these same messengers, with rich presents once more for the Spanish
chief.