Chapter 4

CORTES AND THE CONQUEST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

Landing of Cortes--Orizaba peak--The dawn of conquest--Discovery of Yucatan--Velasquez and Grijalva--Life and character of Cortes--Cortes selected to head the expedition--Departure from Cuba--Arrival at Yucatan--The coast of Vera Cruz--Marina--Vera Cruz established--Aztec surprise at guns and horses--Montezuma--Dazzling Aztec gifts--Messages to Montezuma--Hostility of the Aztecs--Key to the situation--The Cempoallas--Father Olmedo--Religion and hypocrisy of the Christians-- March to Cempoalla--Montezuma's tax-collectors--Duplicity of Cortes-- Vacillation of Montezuma--Destruction of Totonac idols--Cortes despatches presents to the King of Spain--Cortes destroys his ships-- March towards the Aztec capital--Scenery upon line of march--The fortress of Tlascala--Brusque variations of climate--The Tlascalans-- Severe fighting--Capitulation of Tlascala--Faithful allies--Messengers from Montezuma--March to Cholula--Massacre of Cholula--The snow-capped volcanoes--First sight of Tenochtitlan.