_How mass was said in the presence of a great number of caziques,
and of the present the latter brought us._
The next morning early Cortes ordered an altar to be constructed, and
mass to be said, as we now again had a supply of wine and holy wafers.
Father Olmedo lying ill of the fever, which had greatly weakened him,
the priest Juan Diaz officiated for him: Maxixcatzin, the elder
Xicotencatl, and several other caziques were present.
After mass, Cortes retired to his quarters. Those among us who were
always about his person accompanied him: we were also followed by the
old caziques and our interpreters, who were indispensable in such
company. The elder Xicotencatl now informed Cortes that it was the
general wish of the inhabitants to make him a present, if agreeable to
him. Cortes answered that he should at all times be most happy to
receive one: they accordingly spread some mats on the floor, and over
these a few cloaks, upon which they arranged five or six small pieces of
gold, a few stones of trifling value, and several parcels of
manufactured nequen, altogether a very poor present, and not worth
twenty pesos. The caziques, on presenting these things to Cortes, said
to him, with a smile on their countenance, "Malinche! we can easily
imagine that you will not exactly experience much joy on receiving a
present of such wretched things as these; but we have told you before
that we are poor, possessing neither gold nor other riches, as the
deceitful Mexicans, with their present monarch Motecusuma, have by
degrees despoiled us of everything we had. Do not look to the small
value of these things, but accept them in all kindness, and as coming
from your faithful friends and servants." These presents were at the
same time accompanied by a quantity of provisions.
Cortes accepted of all this with every appearance of delight, and
assured the old men that, since these things came from them, and were
given with such great good will, they had more value in his estimation
than a whole house full of gold, and that he accepted of them in that
light. These words he accompanied with numerous other kind sayings and
assurances of the esteem he entertained for them.
The caziques had also agreed among themselves to present us the most
beautiful of their daughters and nieces. The old Xicotencatl, therefore,
again addressed Cortes: "In order, Malinche, that you may have a still
clearer proof of our good feeling towards you, and to show you how glad
we are to do anything which we imagine may please you, we have resolved
to give you our daughters in marriage, that they may have children by
you. We should like to be completely fraternized with such good and
brave men as you are. I myself have a daughter, who is very beautiful,
and has never been married, whom I have destined for you."
Maxixcatzin and most of the other caziques continued in the same strain,
begging of us to take their daughters for our wives. These requests were
accompanied by various other proffers of friendship, and Maxixcatzin
and Xicotencatl passed the whole day with us: the latter was blind with
age; in order, therefore, to form to himself some idea of Cortes, he
drew his hand over his hair, his face, his beard, and the whole of his
body.
Cortes answered, with respect to the women, that he himself and all of
us were very grateful for them, and that we should take the first
opportunity of rendering them a kindness in return.
"What is your opinion," said Cortes, turning to father Olmedo, "would
this not be the proper moment to desire these people to abolish their
idols and the human sacrifices? From fear of the Mexicans, they will
undoubtedly do anything we require of them." "It will be time enough,"
answered the priest, "when they bring us their daughters: then we shall
have the best opportunity of telling them that we cannot accept of them
until they have promised to abstain from their human sacrifices. If they
comply, it is well; if they refuse, we know what our duty and our
religion require of us."