a dangerous pass some six days ago, and stationed a strong
body of troops there to prevent our passing that way; but, since that
time, they had been advised by their god of war to allow us to march
forward unmolested, and not to attack us until we should be within the
city, and then to kill us all. The caziques likewise begged of us to
remain with them, and they would provide us with everything we might
require. "Believe us," they added, "you must not go to Mexico, for we
know how great the strength of that city is, and what large bodies of
troops are there: if you once enter that city, you will all be put to
death."

Cortes replied to this well-meant advice with the serenest countenance
in the world, and assured them that neither the Mexicans nor any other
people had the power to deprive us of life,--this was in the hands of
the God in whom we believed. We had to fulfil our commission to
Motecusuma, to all the caziques and papas, and were therefore determined
to march straightway to Mexico. We should only require twenty of their
men to accompany us. He would do his utmost for them, and, immediately
upon his arrival there, demand justice for them; and that neither
Motecusuma nor his tax-gatherers should oppress them as heretofore.

These promises spread an expression of joy over the countenance of every
Indian present, and the twenty men whom Cortes required, instantly
joined us; and, just as we were about to leave, other ambassadors
arrived from Motecusuma, whose message I will relate in the next
chapter.

[42] It was here probably that Cortes was nigh being shot by one of his
own sentinels. Late at night he visited the outposts himself, and one of
the sentinels was just upon the point of firing at him, when Cortes
fortunately made himself known. (p. 214.)

CHAPTER LXXXVII.

_How the powerful Motecusuma again sends ambassadors to us with a
present of gold and cotton stuffs: that monarch's message to Cortes,
and the answer he returns._

As I have before said, we were about to continue our march, when four
distinguished Mexicans arrived in our quarters, with a message from
Motecusuma, accompanied by a present in gold and cotton stuffs, and thus
addressed Cortes, after they had shown the usual signs of veneration:
"Malinche! our sovereign, the mighty Motecusuma, sends you this present.
He desires us to express his sorrow for the many hardships which you
have been compelled to undergo on your te