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 the whole
of them at liberty, excepting Juan Velasquez de Leon and Diego de Ordas,
who were lying bound in chains on board a vessel: however, both these
were also shortly after released, and they became true friends to him,
of which they subsequently gave sufficient proofs. Gold, indeed, was
not spared on this occasion, for they were only to be tamed by that
means. As soon as greater union was thus restored, it was resolved that
we should march for the township Quiahuitzlan, which I have above
mentioned. Our vessels were also at the same time to set sail and run
into the harbour, lying about four miles from the latter place.

Our march lay along the coast, and on our route we killed a large fish
which had been thrown on shore; we then came to a pretty deep river, on
whose banks the town of Vera Cruz at present lies: this we crossed by
means of some old canoes we found here, and by ferryboats; I, however,
swam across. On the opposite bank of the river lay several small
townships, subject to one more extensive called Sempoalla. This was the
home of the five Indians who came to Cortes in the character of
ambassadors, and who were called by us _Lopelucios_. We found the
idol-temples stained with spots of blood, the apparatus for perfuming
and sacrificing, a quantity of parrot feathers, and several packages of
paper stitched one over the other, resembling our Spanish linen. We
nowhere met any Indians; for as they had never before seen people like
unto us, nor any horses, they had all run away from fear, so that we
were forced to go hungry to bed. The next day we marched inland in an
easterly direction: of course we had not the least knowledge of the road
we were taking, and we turned at a venture into a beautiful meadow,
where we found wild deer grazing. Pedro de Alvarado chased one of these
on his brown mare, and managed to wound it with his lance; but the
animal escaped over some heights.

In the meantime twelve Indians made their appearance, inhabitants of the
district, where we were encamped for the night, bringing with them some
fowls and maise-bread, which, they told Cortes, by means of our
interpreter, had been sent us by their cazique, who had likewise desired
we should visit his township, which lay at a distance of one sun, say a
day's march, from our present station. Cortes returned them sincere
thanks for their great kindness, and we marched on until we came to a
small township, where a short time previous several human beings had
been sacrificed. As the kind reader would be disgusted with hearing of
the numbers of male and female Indians we found butchered along every
road and in every village we passed through, I will be silent on that
head, and merely add that a supper was provided for us in the small
village where we had arrived. Here we also learnt that the road to
Quiahuitzlan, which latter lay on a hill, passed through Sempoalla,
where we next arrive.

[17*] Costatlan, Bernal Diaz also adds here, "Y este nombre de Culua es
en aquella tierra, como si dixessen los Romanos hallados." As this
passage is rather obscure, we thought it best to insert it here. The
literal translation is: "And this appellation of Culua, in this country,
means as much as when one would say, 'the merry Romans.'" In the 31st
chapter he makes a similar remark. (p. 102.)

CHAPTER XLV.

 _How we marched into Sempoalla, which at that period was a very
 considerable township, and what we did there._

After we had slept in the village, where the twelve Indians had
quartered us, and accurately ascertained the road we were to take to
Quiahuitzlan, we left very early in the morning for that place. Cortes
sent six of the Indians before us to acquaint the caziques of Sempoalla
that we were approaching, and to beg permission to visit them. The six
other Indians remained behind as our guides. The whole of us marched
forward in the best order, while our cannon and other arms were ready
for use at a moment's notice; besides this sharp-shooters were always in
advance, all strong active fellows, whom as well as the horse no one
could elude.

We were not further than three miles from Sempoalla, when we were met by
twenty Indians who came to welcome us in the name of their cazique.
These carried in their hands pine-apples, most deliciously scented, and
of a deep red colour, which they presented to Cortes and the others who
sat on horseback, adding that their ruler awaited us in his quarters,
for on account of his corpulency he had been prevented from coming out
to meet us himself. Cortes thanked them kindly for their attentions, and
we marched forward. As we passed along the houses of the town we were
greatly surprised, for a town of such magnitude we had not yet met with.
And when we saw that all around had the appearance of a luxurious
garden, and that the streets were filled with people of both sexes, we
returned most fervent thanks to God for having allowed us to discover
such a country. The vanguard of our horse was naturally very much in
advance, and had arrived in the great square and up to the dwellings
where our quarters were prepared. As the walls a few days previous had
been newly plastered with lime, (which these Indians prepare uncommonly
well,) and the sun was shining full upon them at the time, one of our
horse soldiers came galloping up to Cortes at full speed to inform him
that the walls here were built of silver. Aguilar and Doña Marina
immediately saw that this was lime fresh laid on; which of course
created abundance of laughter. We never omitted on subsequent occasions
to remind the man of it, joking him that everything white appeared to
him like silver.

When we arrived at our quarters the fat cazique came out in the
courtyard to receive us. The man was, indeed, excessively corpulent,
wherefore I shall always distinguish him thereby. He paid Cortes the
greatest respect, and perfumed him according to the custom of the
country, who then embraced him in return. After these welcomes we were
shown into our quarters, which were very comfortable, and so spacious
that there was sufficient room for us all. Food was next set before us,
among which there was maise-bread and several basketsful of plums, of
which there were great quantities, these being just then in season. As
we were greatly famished, and had not for a length of time seen such
quantities of provisions at once, some of us called the place
Villariciosa (luxurious town), and others Sevilla. Cortes gave strict
orders that the inhabitants should not be molested in the slightest
degree, and also that none of us should leave our quarters.

It being announced to the fat cazique that we had finished dining, he
sent word to Cortes that he was desirous of paying him a visit, and
immediately after he arrived with a considerable number of distinguished
personages, who wore heavy golden ornaments and richly-worked mantles.
Cortes rose to meet them at the entrance of our quarters, and received
them most kindly. After the first compliments

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