Terror a

truth, though taking many forms, terror was their prevailing god; and now a greater terror than they had hitherto known-a terror that could not be Mexicans. dispelled by their deities or their priests-had

influence in the minds of the

come amongst them. Premature decay is ever inherent in a one-sided cultivation of the powers, the intellect, or the affections, of mankind.

CHAPTER VI.

Consequences of the Capture-Montezuma becomes a vassal of the King of Spain-Pamphilo de Narvaez arrives upon the Coast-Cortes quits Mexico and defeats Narvaez.

HE pretext of Montezuma's capture being disposed of, we naturally turn to consider the consequences of the capture itself. We may imagine the rumours which ran through the city after Montezuma had been seen to accompany the Spaniards to their quarterswhat a fervid noise rose up from the thronged market-place as the news was bruited there; how it was re-echoed in the gay streets, where the boatmen exchanged news with the passers-by on dry land; what fierce intonation was given to it in the sacred precincts of the temple, in the colleges, and the convents; and with what ned

170

MONTEZUMA IN CAPTIVITY.

and stealthy voices the matter was discussed in the palaces of grave and powerful nobles.

The wary Cortes strove to make the imprisonment look as much like a visit as possible. The Mexican King received ambassadors, directed judges, held his court, and continued to fulfil the functions of royalty nearly after the same fashion that he had been accustomed to. He was not restricted in his amusements, not even in the chase; and the slightest indignity shown to him by any Spaniard was severely punished by Cortes.

Meanwhile, what were the thoughts, the plans, the hopes, and the fears of this captive Monarch? Historians, who are often supposed to know everything, and to be able to write with an insight into the minds of their principal personages possessed only by the writers of fiction, will always be sorely puzzled to account for Montezuma's conduct. But, if one is obliged to give any explanation of it, that explanation must, I think, be based upon the ground that Montezuma really believed in the notion that the coming of Cortes and his men fulfilled the traditions of the Mexican race. A near acquaintance with the Spaniards gave Montezuma a greater insight into, and ap

HIS RELIGIOUS EXERCISES.

171

prehension of, their power than was possessed by most of his subjects. Moreover, he doubtless perceived that his best chance of preserving his own life was in preventing disturbance of any kind. It must be recollected also, that in dealing with Cortes he had to encounter one of the craftiest of men; and, finally, the circumstances were such as would have greatly perplexed any man who was not perfectly ready to peril his own life,-who did not, to use an emphatic expression, carry his life in his hand.

There is nothing which can serve better to illustrate the limits of Montezuma's freedom of action at the present moment, the extent of the power which Cortes had gained by bringing Montezuma to his quarters, and the general feeling of the Mexican people, than the religious observances of the Mexican Monarch. Had the captive been of the religion of his captors, or of any religion which did not require public demonstration, a chapel might have been put up in his prison; and, comparatively speaking, much less would have been indicated by the Monarch's absence from, or presence at, religious rites and ceremonies. But, whatever was left of kingship

Montezuma is allowed to go to the temple.

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MONTEZUMA PERMITTED

in Montezuma must be seen, or inferred, from his presence on the summit of that dread temple which overlooked the whole city. Accordingly, we find that Montezuma demanded permission from Cortes (what a humbling of the mighty!) to go to his temple to make sacrifices and to fulfil his devotions, in order, as he probably told the Spaniards, that he might show himself to his people, and, afterwards, give his captains and principal men to understand that it was by the command of his god Huitzilopochtli that he continued to remain in the power of the Spaniards. Cortes wisely granted the request, warning Montezuma at the same time, that if there were any disturbance, it would be at the peril of his life. To ensure the constant presence of that peril, one hundred and fifty Spanish soldiers were to accompany the King. Cortes also made it a condition that there should be no human sacrifices. There were, he said, the altars of the Christian religion and the image of "Our Lady," before which the King might pray. Montezuma promised that he would sacrifice no living soul, and set forth to the great temple in full state with his sceptre borne before him, his people and his nobles