stantial answer. In the meantime he ordered the altar to be
fitted up as prettily as possible. Francisco Bartolome and father Juan
Diaz performed mass. Both the governors and the principal personages of
their suite were present during the ceremony, after which Cortes sat
down to dinner with them.

After the table had been cleared, Cortes, with the assistance of Aguilar
and Dona Marina, entered into conversation with the Mexican officials
and the caziques, telling them we were Christians, and subjects of the
greatest monarch of the world, whose name was emperor Charles, and that
he had many great personages among his vassals and servants. We had come
by his command to their country, of which and its powerful monarch who
now reigned over it, his majesty had heard long ago. As far as regarded
himself, he was desirous of becoming his friend, and had to disclose
many things to him, in the name of his emperor, which he would listen to
with delight. In order that a good understanding might be established
between him and his subjects, they should acquaint him with the place
where their monarch resided, that he might pay his respects to him, and
make the necessary disclosures. To which Teuthlille answered in a rather
imperious tone, "Since you are but just arrived, it would be more
fitting that you, previous to your desiring an interview with my
monarch, should accept this present, which we have brought you in his
name, and disclose your wishes to me." He then brought forth, out of a
species of box, a quantity of gold trinkets, of beautiful and skilful
workmanship, besides more than twenty packages of stuffs very prettily
worked of white cotton and feathers. These they presented to Cortes,
with various other costly things, which, owing to the number of years
which have since elapsed, I cannot now remember, besides provisions,
consisting in quantities of fowls, fruits, and dried fish. Cortes
accepted all this with a joyful countenance, presenting these gentlemen
in return with glass beads resembling brilliants, and other things we
brought from Spain. He begged of them to desire the inhabitants of the
different districts to commence trading with us, as we possessed various
articles which we were desirous of exchanging for gold; this they
promised to do.

Cortes then ordered an arm-chair to be brought, beautifully painted and
adorned with inlaid work, some pieces of precious stones, wrapt in
cotton cloth, perfumed with musk, a nec