[438] By touching the ground with the hand and then bearing it to the lips.
[439] Cortés ‘le dió tres piedras, que se llaman margaritas, que tienen dentro de si muchas pinturas de diuersas colores.’ Bernal Diaz, Hist. Verdad., 64. A certain vagueness in the phrase has led some to translate it as a present of three fine pearls for Cortés.
[440] ‘No les quedaba sino decir que me defenderian el camino.’ Cortés, Cartas, 81. ‘Dieron a entender que les ofenderiã alla, y aun defenderiã el passo y entrada.’ Gomara, Hist. Mex., 98.
[441] Bernal Diaz, Hist. Verdad., 64. Ixtlilxochitl contradicts himself about the place of meeting, and makes Cacama invite Cortés to Tezcuco. Hist. Chich., 295; Id., Relacion, 411. Torquemada does the same. i. 449.
[442] Native Races, ii. 345-6, 575. Cortés mentions another smaller town in the lake, without land communication. Cortés, Cartas, 82.
[443] ‘Pariente del rey de México.’ Chimalpain, Hist. Conq., 116. ‘Prince du quartier de Ticic.’ Brasseur de Bourbourg, Hist. Nat. Civ., iv. 203.
[444] ‘Cortés, ca yua con determinacion de parar alli, y hazer barcas o fustas ... con miedo no le rompiessen las calçadas (to Mexico).’ Gomara, Hist. Mex., 99.
[445] Torquemada, i. 451; Oviedo, iii. 500.
[446] For an account of the dispute between Cacama and Ixtlilxochitl, see Native Races, v. 474-7.
[447] Tezcuco was entirely out of Cortés’ route, and the narratives of the march show that no such detour could have been made. Torquemada, who contradicts himself about the visit, describes with some detail the reception at this capital, where the population kneel to adore the Spaniards as children of the sun. They are entertained at the palace, and discover in one of the courtiers, named Tecocoltzin, a man of as fair a hue as themselves, who became a great favorite. i. 444. Herrera takes the army from Ayotzinco to Tezcuco and back to Cuitlahuac. dec. ii. lib. vii. cap. iv. Impressed perhaps by the peculiarity of this detour, Vetancurt, after repeating the story, expresses a doubt whether the visit was really made. Teatro Mex., pt. iii. 127-8. But Clavigero brings arguments, based partly upon vague points in Cortés’ later letters, to prove that it took place. Storia Mess., iii. 74. Solis, ‘the discriminating,’ lets Cacama himself guide Cortés from Ayotzinco to Tezcuco. Hist. Mex., i. 360-1.