laves a massive
collar, made of the shells of a kind of crawfish much prized by the
Indians, set in gold, and connected by heavy golden links; from this
hung eight finely-worked ornaments, each a span long, made to resemble
the crawfish, but of fine gold. This gorgeous collar he hung round the
neck of the general, saying: 'This palace belongs to you, Malinche'
(this was the name by which he always addressed him), 'and your
brethren. Rest after your fatigues, for you have much need to do so; in
a little while I will visit you again.' So saying, he withdrew with his
attendants. The general's first care was to inspect his new quarters.
The rooms were of great size, and afforded accommodation for the whole
army--the Tlascalans probably encamping in the outer courts. The best
apartments were hung with draperies of gaily coloured cotton, and the
floors were covered with mats or rushes. There were also low stools
carved from single pieces of wood, and most of the rooms had beds made
of the palm-leaf, woven into a thick mat, with coverlets, and sometimes
canopies of cotton. The general, after a rapid survey, assigned his
troops their respective quarters, and took as vigilant precautions for
security as if he expected a siege; he planted his cannon so as to
command the approaches to the palace, stationed sentinels along the
walls, and ordered that no soldier should leave his quarters under pain
of death. After all these precautions he allowed his men to enjoy the
banquet prepared for them. This over, the emperor came again, attended
by a few nobles; he was received with great deference by Cortes, and
with Marina's aid they conversed, while the Aztecs and the cavaliers
stood around in respectful silence. Montezuma made many inquiries
concerning the country of the Spaniards, its sovereign, and its
government, and especially asked their reasons for visiting Mexico.
Cortes replied that they had desired to see its great monarch, and to
declare to him the true faith professed by the Christians. The emperor
showed himself to be fully acquainted with all the doings of the
Spaniards since their landing, and was curious as to their rank in their
own country; he also learned the names of the principal cavaliers, and
their position in the army. At the conclusion of the interview the
Aztecs brought forward a gift of cotton robes, enough to supply every
man, even including the Tlascalans, and gold chains and ornaments, which
were distributed i