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CONTENTS.
xiii
| Page | |
| CHAPTER VII. | |
| WHAT MONTEZUMA THOUGHT OF IT. | |
| Home of Mexican Civilization — The Border Land of Savagism — Configuration of the Country — The Nahuas and the Mayas — Toltecs, Chichimecs, and Aztecs — The Valley of Mexico — Civil Polity of the Aztecs — King Ahuitzotl — Montezuma Made Emperor — Character of the Man — His Career — The First Appearing of the Spaniards not Unknown to Montezuma — The Quetzalcoatl Myth — Departure of the Fair God — Signs and Omens concerning his Return — The Coming of the Spaniards Mistaken for the Fulfilment of the Prophecy — The Door Opened to the Invader. | 94 |
| CHAPTER VIII. | |
| THE COMBATANTS SALUTE. | |
| April-May, 1519. | |
| The Embassy from the Shore — The New Interpreter — Marina — Her Appearance and Quality — Her Romantic History — She Cleaves to the Spaniards and to Cortés — And Becomes One of the most Important Characters of the Conquest — The Spaniards Land and Form an Encampment — The Governor Comes with Presents — The Spaniards Astonish the Natives — Who Report all to Montezuma — Cortés Sends the Monarch Presents — Council Called in Mexico — Montezuma Determines not to Receive the Strangers — Reciprocates in Presents a Hundredfold — Cortés Persists — Montezuma Declines more Firmly — Olmedo Attempts Conversion — Teuhtlile, Offended, Withdraws his People from the Camp of the Spaniards. | 116 |
| CHAPTER IX. | |
| THE MIGHTY PROJECT IS CONCEIVED. | |
| May, 1519. | |
| Serious Dilemma of Cortés — Authority without Law — Montejo Sent Northward — Recommends another Anchorage — Dissensions at Vera Cruz — Prompt and Shrewd Action of Cortés — A Municipality Organized — Cortés Resigns — And is Chosen Leader by the Municipality — Velazquez' Captains Intimate Rebellion — Cortés promptly Arrests Several of Them — Then he Conciliates them All — Important Embassy from Cempoala — The Veil Lifted — The March to Cempoala — What was Done there — Quiahuiztlan — The Coming of the Tribute Gatherers — How They were Treated — Grand Alliance. | 131 |
| CHAPTER X. | |
| MULTIPLICATION OF PLOTS. | |
| June-July, 1519. | |
| Cortes, Diplomats and General — The Municipality of Villa Rica Located — Excitement throughout Anahuac — Montezuma Demoralized — Arrival of the Released Collectors at the Mexican Capital — The Order for Troops Countermanded — Montezuma Sends an Embassy to Cortés — Chicomacatl Asks Aid against a Mexican Garrison — A Piece of Pleasantry — The Velazquez Men Refuse to Accompany the Expedition — Opportunity Offered them to Return to Cuba, which they Decline through Shame — The Totonacs Rebuked — The Cempoala Brides — Destruction of the Idols — Arrival at Villa Rica of Salcedo — Efforts of Velazquez with the Emperor — Cortés Sends Messengers to Spain — Velazquez Orders them Pursued — The Letters of Cortés — Audiencia of the Emperor at Tordesillas. | 152 |
