the whole body of papas, of whom there were
great numbers in the temple service. They carried the pans with glowing
embers, and perfumed us. Some of them had on long white cloaks, after
the fashion of surplices with capes, as worn by our canons. The hair of
their heads was long and matted together, so that it would have been an
impossibility to have put it in any shape or order without cutting it
off: besides this, it was completely besmeared with blood, which
trickled down over their ears, for they had been sacrificing that very
day. The nails of their fingers were uncommonly long, and they held down
their heads on approaching us, in token of humility. It was told us that
these men were greatly revered for their religion. The principal
personages now gathered themselves around Cortes' person, and formed a
guard of honour. When we entered the town, the streets and balconies
could scarcely contain the numbers of men and women who had come out to
see us: delight was depicted on every countenance, and twenty baskets
full of roses were brought us, of various colours and sweetly scented,
which were presented to Cortes and the other soldiers whom they
considered officers, and particularly to those who sat on horseback. In
this way we gradually arrived to some spacious courtyards, where
quarters had been prepared for us. Here Xicotencatl the elder and
Maxixcatzin took Cortes by the hand and conducted him into his
apartments. For each of us there was a separate bed, filled with a
species of dried grass, and covered with cloaks of nequen. Our friends
of Sempoalla and Xocotlan were quartered in our vicinity in a similar
manner. Cortes then requested that the ambassadors of Motecusuma might
lodge with him. We soon discovered that good-will and friendly feeling
were universal towards us here, and we therefore somewhat relaxed in our
ordinary precautions. The officer whose duty it was to post our
sentinels and order the patrols, remarked to Cortes, that, as everything
wore such a friendly aspect there, our usual watchfulness would not be
required. "This may be very true," answered our general, "yet we will
not relinquish that excellent custom. Though the people here may be very
good, we must not trust too much to this peace, but always be upon our
guard as if we expected each moment to be attacked. Many a general has
been ruined by carelessness and over-confidence. We, who are a mere
handful of men, and have been precautioned by Motec