fleet impelled by human agencies over mountain and plain, through forest and dale, it was indeed a "cosa maravillosa," as Cortés expresses it. The feat of Vasco Nuñez stood repeated, but magnified in some respects, in the number of the vessels, in the distance of the journey, the lurking foe being ever present, and in the audacity of purpose, the subjugation of the proudest metropolis on all this vast continent. And great was the rejoicing at Tezcuco as the caravan came in sight on the fourth day, arrayed in gala attire, with brightly gleaming devices and ornaments, and waving plumage, advancing in one long line to inspiring music. With a large retinue, also in gala dress, Cortés went forth to meet them, and as the procession passed into the city the Tlascaltecs rolled forth their newly acquired Spanish vivas: "Viva el Emperador!" "Viva Malinche!" "Castilla!" "Tlascala, Tlascala, Castilla!" The march past occupied six hours, says Cortés. Ship-yards were prepared for the vessels on the border of a creek or irrigation canal, which had been deepened and widened for nearly half a league, fortified in places with timber and masonry, and provided with dams and locks. This labor had occupied eight thousand Tezcucans fifty days. [1]
- ↑ Hizieron la quatro cientos mil hombres.' Gomara, Hist. Mex., 191. That is, 8000 fresh men daily for 50 days, to judge by the figure. Ixtlilxochitl fails not to adopt a number which speaks so well for the size of his province. Hist. Chich., 307; Relaciones, 416. 'La zanja tenia mas de dos estados de hondura y otros tantos de anchura, y iba toda chapada y estacada.' Cortés, Cartas, 200. Bustamante claims to have seen traces of it, Sahagun, Hist. Conq., 66-7, as did Lorenzana in his time. Cortés, Hist. N. Esp., 234. For the caulking of the vessels cotton was also used, and for want of grease, human fat was obtained from slain enemies, writes Gomara. Oidor Zuazo was assured of this pagan consecration for the fleet. This has been denied by others, observes Oviedo, iii. 423-4; but there is nothing improbable in a partial use thereof, for human fat had been frequently used in other cases, as Cortés adımits. Additional timber was obtained in Tolantzinco, says Ixtlilxochitl.
