Part 14

Twelve Leagues beyond _Zempoal_, _Cortez_ built a new City near the River _Grisalva_, and call’d it _Vera Crux_, which _Diego Velasques_ resented so ill, it being done without his knowledge, that he petition’d the Council of _Cuba_ to give Sentence of Death against the Founder: But whilst _Cortez_ expected an answer from the Embassadors (which were sent to the _Spanish_ Court to give account of the necessity of building a City there) he travell’d eighty Leagues Westerly. The _Zempoalensers_ accompanied him in great Troops, hoping by that means to shake off the yoke of the mighty King _Montezuma_, against whom they were then design’d. _Cortez_ coming into the Territory of _Sincuchimalar_, was in the Name of _Montezuma_, by one of his Princes, courteously entertain’d in a great Village, scituate on a steep Mountain, without any Path or Way leading to it, but by two high Ladders. _Sincuchimalar_ lies surrounded with Hills, whose tops seem to touch the Clouds. Coming down from the Village, they travell’d through a barren and cold Valley, where they suffer’d such great Inconveniences by want of Provisions and Water, and exceeding coldness of the Weather, that many of them perish’d. After that, they ascended a pleasant Hill, on whose summit stood a Chappel, with a handsom Steeple, and hedg’d about with great heaps of Wood, brought thither by the Inhabitants for the use of their Sacrifices. At the foot of this Mountain was a fruitful Valley water’d by a pleasant River, on whose Banks a certain Prince nam’d _Cacataminus_ had a Palace, built of Stone, and containing many Rooms, and convenient Lodgings. Somewhat higher to the Land, appear’d more of the like Structures, which were all under _Montezuma_’s Jurisdiction; but the neighboring Countrey _Tlaxcalla_, whose Inhabitants were famous for their Valor, would never receive any Laws from _Montezuma_.

[Sidenote: Remarkable War in _Tlaxcalla_.]

_Cortez_ no sooner set footing in this Countrey, but he was set upon by a thousand of the Inhabitants, who at the first Assault kill’d two of the _Spanish_ Horse, yet after this bold Charge, the Assailants fled, and on the next day desir’d Peace; whereupon the _Spaniards_ march’d quietly into the Countrey, when a confus’d Company, or Forlorn-Hope, making a horrible Noise, set upon them; but after a slight Skirmish, they fled to their Main Body, which immediately drawing up, being at least a hundred thousand, hemm’d in the handful of _Spaniards_, and so were ready to swallow them, leaving them no Angle to escape at. Thus invironed, they were assailed on every side, fighting till Sun-set, and had undoubtedly been utterly destroy’d, had not _Cortez_ ply’d his six Pieces of Cannon, discharging continually Volley after Volley upon them; and though the Execution was very much, yet the Sound and report of their Ordinance was more terrible to them that were out of the reach of the Bullet, and made more to the gaining so great a Victory, Fear conquering more than Slaughter; so that by the Evening, despairing either of their Safety or better Fortune, the whole Army disbanding fled: But the pursuing Conquerors firing five of their Villages, remain’d Masters of the Field; yet they, though thus totally routed, taking fresh Courage (a wonderful thing!) reinforc’d them, and set upon the _Spanish_ Camp, with no less than 150000 Fighting Men: Yet notwithstanding so vast an Army, _Cortez_ so well order’d his small parcel of Men, and so valiantly led on upon all Advantages, that he in like manner defeated this, as they thought, Invincible Preparation. Thus flesh’d with so much Blood of the Natives, he raged every where, giving no Quarter where-ever he went.

Mean while _Quesitangal_, a neighboring Prince, having also raised an Army with which he design’d, being assisted by darkness, craftily to fall into the _Spanish_ Quarters by Night, subtilly dissembling, sent Embassadors the day before, with several Presents, and Overtures of Peace, which indeed were onely Spies, to take notice where they might best break in upon them; which _Cortez_ mistrusting, and soon being inform’d of the whole Design, he cut off the Spies Hands, so sending them back to _Quesitangal_ with Defiance: Hereupon the _Indians_ immediately setting forward, took advantage of the ensuing Night, and with great fury fell upon the _Spaniards_, who preacquainted with the Design, were in so good a posture to receive them, that not able to endure such hot Service, they quickly retreated, and utterly gave over the Enterprize: But _Cortez_ as much encourag’d by these Victories, pursu’d them, and the same Night Storm’d _Tlaxcalla_, a City containing above twenty thousand Houses, which in few Hours he carried. This City was curiously built, of bak’d Stones, and a place of great Trade; insomuch that the Market-places swarm’d with Buyers and Sellers, bartering one with another all manner of Provisions, as Fish, Flesh, and Bread, also Plumes of Feathers, Pearls, imbroyder’d Tapestry, Chalk, Stones, Timber, and Herbs.

Twenty days _Cortez_ staid here to refresh his Army, and then march’d to the neighboring City _Chiurutical_, with the Auxiliary Forces of the _Tlaxcallans_, to the number of above a hundred thousand; they told him, That the People of _Chiurutical_ had barricado’d up their Streets, laid upon the tops of their Houses great heaps of Stones, that their upper Rooms were cramm’d with Archers, and all things made ready both for Offence and Defence; which Advertisement he not much hearkned to, because he was conducted into the City with all their State-Formalities of Singing and Tabering upon their _Tamboes_, and every where courteously entertain’d.

[Sidenote: A Plot strangely discover’d.]

[Sidenote: Strange Martial Affairs.]

Mean while _Montezuma_ had rais’d a great Army, which were in their advance, not onely to the defence of his Border, but to surprize them while they staid in that City, the Townsmen having invited him thither to their rescue and his own defence, had not the Plot been accidentally discover’d by a _Chirutecan_ Woman, who giving advice to one of her Friends that follow’d _Cortez_, that he should immediately make his escape, because that all the Strangers would be destroy’d within few Hours, who came and inform’d _Cortez_ thereof; whereupon he desir’d all the Magistrates of the City to come and speak with him, who no sooner entred the Hall where he was, but his Men by Command immediately shot them to death, which terrible Rumor spreading, and alarm’d with the report of the Executing Musquets, the City was suddenly in an Uproar, gathering thither Arm’d from all Places, and began a sharp Conflict, which lasted five Hours; but then wearied out, and despairing of Success, loosing their Courage, they desir’d a Cessation, and at last concluded Peace with the _Spaniards_.

[Sidenote: Now _Mexico_.]

This News of his discover’d Intention, so startled _Montezuma_, that he suppos’d it better to desist, and procure the Favor of _Cortez_ by Presents; wherefore he sent him 15000 Cotton Habits, trim’d up very richly, ten great Chargers of Gold, and some Vessels of Wine, desiring him for a while to forbear his Intentions of marching to _Tenustitan_ his Chief City, and that he would in the mean while treat with him for an Accommodation. But _Cortez_, though he accepted of the Presents, yet nevertheless held his Resolution of marching on.

[Sidenote: Wonderful Mountain _Popocatepeque_.]

[Sidenote: Resolution of two _Spaniards_.]

Eight Leagues from _Tenustitan_ he saw the double-spired Mountain _Popocatepeque_, so call’d from the Smoke which continually ascends from its top; for _Popoca_ signifies _A Smoke_, and _Tepeque, A Mountain_. The Smoke rises upright, and with so much strength, that by the greatest Wind it deviates not one jot from mounting upwards in a direct Line, to whose forked Head ten _Spaniards_ resolv’d to climb; but having got scarce half way up, they were forc’d to return, the Ashes lying knee-deep; yet at last two more resolute conquer’d all those Difficulties, and got to the top, where the mouth of the Cave, as they guessed, measur’d four Miles in Circumference: The shaking of the Mountain, and roaring of the Flames, frequently bursting forth, so much terrified them, that they staid not long there; for, as we said, the Ground not onely trembled under them, but the Fiery Gulph ejected great Stones, which falling down on all sides of the Mountain, rolled to the bottom; and without doubt they had there perish’d, had they not speedily run to a hollow neighboring Hill, from whence they came at length to the rest of their Company, where they were admir’d by the _Indians_ for their undaunted Resolution, and presented with several rich Gifts. These _Indians_ had a Tradition, That for wicked Princes, and such as had not govern’d the People well, this was the _Tophet_ appointed for their Torments.

[Illustration]

[Sidenote: Strange Cities in _America_.]

[Sidenote: A very strange Cawse-way.]

_Cortez_ being got through the poor Territory of the _Guazazingers_, and having suffer’d great Cold upon the Mountains, discover’d _Amaquameca_, the chief City of the Province _Chialco_, seated in a great Lake, to which he row’d in a kind of Boats, by the Inhabitants call’d _Acales_. Passing from thence, he was courteously receiv’d in _Iztapalapa_, another City, which boasts above eight thousand Stone Buildings, besides admirable Palaces, with spacious Rooms, delightful Gardens, and Ponds full of Fish, and almost cover’d with Fowl; from whence a Wall or Cawse-way of a great breadth, that cross’d over both Land and Water, led from _Iztapalapa_ to _Tenustitan_. This Cawse-way hath many Bridges, which are drawn up in time of War, under which the Water runs out of a Salt Lake into a Fresh, that ebbs and flows, although lying between high Mountains, and seventy Leagues from the Sea.

On both sides this Wall, being ten Leagues in length, appears three great Towns, _viz._ _Mesiqualisingo_, _Colvacana_, and _Vuichilabusco_, all Populous, and well-built.

[Sidenote: How they make Salt.]

_Colvacana_ is supplied by the Salt Lake, to its no small benefit and inriching; for the Water being by Pipes convey’d into the City, in all the Places and Cisterns for its reception makes a Scum, which being coagulated by the Sun, and after boyl’d, becomes Salt, with which they drive a great Trade; for no Salt being to be had in any place but here, all Foreign Merchants come thither for Supply.

[Sidenote: Remarkable Passage of King _Montezuma_.]

_Cortez_ being in his March within a League and a half of _Tenustitan_, _Montezuma_, preceded with a thousand of his Nobless, came to meet and salute him, all of them rather like Pilgrims, bare-footed, and congying, kissing their right Hands, with which they first kiss’d the Ground: After them appear’d _Montezuma_ himself, who put a Chain of Gold, imboss’d with Pearls, about _Cortez_ his Neck, and immediately conducted him to the City, where having entred, and being come into the Palace, _Montezuma_ plac’d _Cortez_ on a Golden Throne, and surrendred up his Right to his Catholick Majesty of _Spain_, in the presence of all his Peers, to their no small amazement.

But whilst all things had a good face, and went on thus fairly beyond their expectations, _Cortez_ was inform’d, That King _Coalcopoca_ had a Design on the new City _Vera Crux_, and had treacherously murder’d two of the Garrison, and wounded two more: Whereupon _Cortez_ having such fair beginnings, who had swallow’d already in his Hopes the whole Empire and Wealth belonging to _Montezuma_, laid hold of this Occasion, pretending Treason, and breach of Contract; wherefore he put _Montezuma_ under Custody, notwithstanding he had clear’d himself of the Conspiracy, by bringing _Coalcopoca_, with his Sons, and fifteen of his Peers, Prisoners to _Tenustitan_, who by the command of _Cortez_ suffer’d a lingering death, being all burnt with Green Wood. But in vain did _Montezuma_ think to reconcile himself with _Cortez_, since all he did could render no manner of satisfaction; however he continu’d to oblige him by fresh Favors, whose Relation we will be more particular in, as meriting the same.

[Illustration: Vetus MEXICO]

[Sidenote: Description of the Royal City _Tenustitan_.]

[Sidenote: _Cacaos_, what manner of Fruit.]

[Sidenote: Stately Temple.]

[Sidenote: Horrible Images.]

_Montezuma_’s Grandees seem’d to be much discontented, because he had without the least resistance or consideration setled a handful of Strangers to domineer over his whole Dominions, by which his weakness and pusillanimity, he was now a Prisoner, like a common Malefactor, who had formerly govern’d so mighty Territories. Amongst several Princes which seem’d thus to be concern’d, was _Catumazin_ Governor of the Province _Hacolvacan_ who had he not been surpriz’d and attaqu’d the Night before by the information and discovery of _Montezuma_ himself, he would have hazarded the ruine of all _Cortez_ his Successes: But now Fortune still daily more smil’d, giving wonderful Advantages to the _Spaniards_; Silver and Gold continually flowing like Rivers from all Quarters, that their onely trouble and puzzle was where and how to dispose it: but yet for all this, they were not free from jealousie, that _Montezuma_’s Forces might swallow theirs, though he was secur’d; of which you may judge by the vastness of his Imperial City _Tenustitan_, seated in the Province of _Mexico_, where a Salt Lake mixes its Waters with a fresh River, both which in circumference contain, as we said, seventy Leagues, and distant from the Main Land five or six Miles; the Water about it continually cover’d with small Boats rowing up and down. It hath four Stone, besides DrawBridges in several Places, and strengthned with Gates no less artificial than costly, which lead from the City to the Main Land. The Fresh Water is convey’d through the Salt in a Wall’d Channel, out of which none may take up Water, except they pay Excise to the Kings Farmers. This City boasts above sixty thousand Houses, all divided into Islands, but joyn’d with great Wooden Bridges: The Market-place surrounded with Galleries, drives a quick and constant Trade, being always full of Buyers and Sellers. In every Street they have a publick Inn, in each of which they keep Ordinaries, wherein the Tables are stor’d with well-dress’d Flesh and Fish, not wanting plenty of Wine. Their Trades are divided into several Companies, and they have their peculiar Places to dwell in. They deal very much in _Cacaos_, a Fruit not unlike an Almond, which beaten to Powder, and prepar’d with several other Ingredients, gives name to that excellent Drink now in use with us, call’d _Chocolate_: They grow onely on moist and warm Grounds, and are us’d so currently in Trade, that they go in stead of Money. Amongst many beautiful Edifices, their Guild is very magnificent, wherein twelve Judges, attended by a considerable number of Officers and Servants, sit daily, hearing and determining all manner of Causes. The next is their Chief Temple or Minster, built quadrangular, all of Free-Stone, having four Portals, opening into the four principal Streets or Triumphs, that end at the four Stone Bridges. On the Walls, being of an exceeding height, stand several Turrets, so high, that they seem to hide their Spires in the Clouds; and have Apartments, wherein the Priests Diet, Lodge, and Study, which are ascended by Marble Steps. These Religious Persons are generally of Noble Extract, which at seven years old are carried thither, where leading a very strict Life, they never come forth to see the World, till they enter the State of Matrimony. The famous _Colossus_, that stood over the _Rhodian_ Haven, between whose Legs all Ships did Sail, that came in or went out of the Harbor, cannot stand in competition with the stupendious Idol _Vuichilabuchichi_, whose Head touches the Arch’d Ceiling of the high Temple. Near his stand several lesser Images, made of Meal and all sorts of Herbs bak’d together, and kneaded with Mens Blood. Along the Walls are exceeding dark Vaults, in which the Priests onely walk; over them are large Halls, full of Presentations of their Gods, which serve for the Burying-places of their Kings.

Whilst _Cortez_ and _Montezuma_ were viewing the Temple, two _Spaniards_ rush’d suddenly into one of the Cells, where they found abundance of Lamps and Torches burning, and the Walls bedaub’d two Inches thick with Humane Gore: Over-head hung vast numbers of their Sacrificing Knives; and the stench of the place was intollerable.

[Sidenote: Grandeur of the Kings in _Tenustitan_.]

[Sidenote: Strange Garden-houses.]

But _Cortez_ going on, _Montezuma_ and his Attendants resented it very hainously, that he pull’d down some of their Idols, and durst presume to look in the Kings Face; for those People bear so great Reverence to their Kings, that none dares so much as once look up in their presence: His Council stand bare-footed, stooping with their Faces bow’d almost to the Ground before him: Four times a day they change their Apparel; and a Suit which they have once worn, is put to no other use, but presented to such Soldiers as have done some eminent Service. Whatever manner of Chargers, Dishes, Pots, Cups, and other Vessels the Emperor is serv’d in at his Table, are every Meal new. The King hath in _Tenustitan_ three great Structures, whose Magnificence, for Cost and rare Architecture, can hardly be parallell’d. The first is the Residence for all deform’d People: The second, an _Aviary_ for all manner of Birds and Fowl, being a spacious open place, Roof’d with Nets, and surrounded with Marble Galleries. The third, being a Den for Wild Beasts, was divided into several Rooms, wherein were kept Lions, Tygers, Wolves, Foxes, and all manner of Four-footed Animals.

[Illustration]

[Sidenote: _Spaniards_ beaten afresh.]

[Sidenote: Remarkable Exploits of _Cortez_.]

[Sidenote: _Tenustitan_, or _Mexico_, taken.]

But whilst _Cortez_ having staid waiting eight Months in _Tenustitan_, for the return of the Messengers sent to the _Spanish_ Court, receiv’d Tidings, That _Pamphilo Narvaecy_, by order of _Velasques_, was come with eighteen Sail, Mann’d with eight hundred Foot, and eighty Horse, from _Cuba_, and now riding before the _Mexican_ Coast; from whence soon after he receiv’d unexpected Command, to come presently aboard unarm’d, and resign up his Authority: But he in stead of submission, compell’d _Narvaecy_ in a short time to relinquish his Title, and own him for Superior. Mean while the _Spaniards_ which remain’d in possession of _Tenustitan_, ran the hazard of a general Massacre; for the Citizens much stomacking the Oppressions of the _Spaniards_, who grew very insolent, inslaving their King, bringing their inveterate Enemies the _Tlaxcallans_ and _Guazuzingans_ into their City, exacting them to pay Tributes, pulling down their Gods, and demolishing their ancient Idols, they brake out from all Parts in a tumultuous manner, ran to Arms, and besieg’d them Day and Night in their Fort, although _Montezuma_ endeavor’d to perswade the contrary. _Cortez_, hearing of it, came to their relief with the New Forces Landed from _Cuba_; but he fighting his way ere he could get in, was so roughly entertain’d by the _Mexicans_, that they kill’d him forty Men, wounding as many more; and notwithstanding fifteen Field-pieces with continual Shot made foul Breaches, lessening the number of the Assailants, yet they suddenly fill’d up their Vacancies again with fresh Men, which clamber’d over the Heaps of those that lay slain. Three Days the Battel had continu’d very fierce, when _Montezuma_ being with the _Spaniards_ in the Castle, went to a low Window, to see if he could command his Subjects to retreat; but a continual Cry so deafned their Ears, and showres of Arrows and Stones so took away their sight, that he did nothing: Then _Montezuma_, thinking to be more easily either heard or seen, went to a higher Window, where looking out, he was unfortunately hit with a Stone, of which he died three days after. Besides their Enemies, the _Spaniards_ suffer’d extremely by Famine; and though they had beaten down a Tower, which had done the Castle great mischief, and set five hundred Houses on fire, yet they could discern no likely issue thereof, but judg’d it best to make their escape by Night over the nearest Bridge: _Cortez_ therefore dividing his gotten Treasures, which amounted to above seven hundred thousand Duckets, amongst his Soldiers, carried _Montezuma_’s Son, and two Daughters, Prisoners with him, though not without infinite danger and loss; for the _Tenustitans_ assail’d him on both sides, and falling in also upon his Rear, spar’d not to kill _Montezuma_’s own Children. In this last Fight the Service was so hot, that _Cortez_ lost forty two Horse, a hundred and fifty _Spaniards_, and two thousand Auxiliaries; and although gotten over the Lake, they were still pursu’d by the _Mexicans_, who would then undoubtedly have made a general Slaughter, had not _Cortez_ amused the Enemies, by leaving in the Night great Fires in several Places, his suppos’d Camps, whilst he silently stole away: Yet the _Tenustitans_ would have pursu’d the _Spaniards_, had they not wanted Provisions: But _Cortez_ sending his Treasure before him, through the Countrey _Colva_, to _Vera Crux_, with a Convoy of five Horse, and forty four Foot, were all cut off by the _Colvaans_, and feasted upon in a Thanksgiving Sacrifice. The same misfortune befel twelve _Spaniards_ in _Tepeacu_, which great City surrendred it self up to _Cortez_, being assisted by a mighty Army of _Tlaxcallans_ and others. But after all these Losses, he took _Guaccachiulla_, and _Izzuca_, both fortified with strong Walls and Gates; in which last he burnt above a hundred Temples, built for Humane Sacrifices. All the Countrey through which he thus ransack’d, he call’d _New-Spain_. From the City _Tazuco_, which he had newly taken, intending to besiege _Tenustitan_, he digg’d through the Lakes a broad Trench, of above three Leagues in length, to bring up thirteen new Ships to _Tenustitan_; and the neighboring People envying, that that City should not be conquer’d, as well as theirs, rais’d an Army of above a hundred and fifty thousand Men, making _Cortez_ their General: Himself incamped on one corner of the City, appointing the other two sides to be invested by _Gonsales Sandovalo_, and _Pedro Avarado_; but the Besieg’d resolutely broke out, and made a fierce Sally with five thousand Boats, setting upon the thirteen Ships; but the great Guns made such execution and havock amongst them, that they retreated with great damage. Whoever were taken Prisoners in this Fight by the _Spaniards_, the _Tlaxcallans_, being Commission’d by _Cortez_, feasted upon. On the seventh day the City was taken, but not without great Slaughter, and the new King imprison’d.

[Sidenote: Sad accident occasion’d by a _Tyger_.]

After this mighty Conquest, _Cortez_ resolv’d to discover those Territories that lay Southward; and whilst he was making all things ready for the Voyage, he sent two Ships with an invaluable Treasure to _Spain_, who fearing to be taken by the _French_ Pyrats, ran in at _Tercera_, where a miserable Accident hapned to the Seamen of the biggest Ship, wherein were carried two Tygers, which though taken young, and bred up amongst men, yet had not so quite forgotten their natural ferocity, but that one breaking loose in the Night, tore seven of them in pieces, hurting a far greater number, of which some had the Brawns of their Arms, the Calves of their Legs, and fleshy parts of their Thighs bit out.

[Sidenote: Strange Battel with Baboons.]