CHAPTER II.

YOUTH OF THE PRINCESS--HER EARLY LOVE REVEALED--PROPHETIC ANNOUNCEMENT, AND SUDDEN ARRIVAL OF THE SPANIARDS. 27

Superstitious forebodings of Montezuma--Loveliness of his daughter--Her suitors--The Prince of Tezcuco--Karee-o-than--A secret revealed--Guatimozin--The ancient legend--The young Pythoness--Her vision--Warning and appeal--The vision realized--The pictured scroll--Agitation of Montezuma--A second courier--The royal council--Courtesy to the strangers--Splendid embassy--Their meeting with Cortez--Munificent presents--Avarice of the Spaniards--They make interest with the Totonacs, and send proposals to Tlascala--Their proposal rejected--They meet and conquer the Tlascalans--An alliance formed--The compeers of Cortez--Xicotencatl--The strength and weakness of the Aztecs.