The first landing was made on the island of Cozumel, where the natives were forcibly converted to Christianity.  Then, reaching the mainland, they were attacked by the natives of Tabasco, whom they soon reduced to submission.  These made presents to the Spanish commander, including some female slaves.  One of these, named by the Spaniards Marina, became of great use to the conquerors in the capacity of interpreter, and by her loyalty, her intelligence, and, not least, by her distinguished courage became a powerful influence in the fortunes of the Spaniards.

The next event of consequence in the career of the Conquerors was the foundation of the first colony in New Spain, the town of Villa Rica de Vera Cruz, on the sea-shore.  Following this, came the reduction of the warlike Republic of Tlascala, and the conclusion of an alliance with its inhabitants which proved of priceless value to the Spaniards in their long warfare with the.  Mexicans.

More than one embassy had reached the Spanish camp from Montezuma, the Emperor of Mexico, bearing presents and conciliatory messages, but declining to receive the strangers in his capital.  The basis of his conduct and of that of the bulk of his subjects towards the Spaniards was an ancient tradition concerning a beneficent deity named Quetzalcoatl who had sailed away to the East, promising to return and reign once more over his people.  He had a white skin, and long, dark hair; and the likeness of the Spaniards to him in this respect gave rise to the idea that they were his representatives, and won them honour accordingly; while even to those tribes who were entirely hostile a supernatural terror clung around their name.  Montezuma, therefore, desired to conciliate them while seeking to prevent their approach to his capital.  But this was the goal of their expedition, and Cortes, with his little army, never exceeding a few hundred in all, reinforced by some Tlascalan auxiliaries, marched towards the capital.  Montezuma, on hearing of their approach, was plunged into despondency.  “Of what avail is resistance,” he is said to have exclaimed, “when the gods have declared themselves against us!  Yet I mourn most for the old and infirm, the women and children, too feeble to fight or to fly.  For myself and the brave men round me, we must bare our breasts to the storm, and meet it as we may!”

Meanwhile the Spaniards marched on, enchanted as they came by the beauty and the wealth of the city and its neighbourhood.  It was built on piles in a great lake, and as they descended into the valley it seemed to them to be a reality embodying in the fairest dreams of all those who had spoken of the New World and its dazzling glories.  They passed along one of the causeways which constituted the only method of approach to the city, and as they entered, they were met by Montezuma himself, in all his royal state.  Bowing to what seemed the inevitable, he admitted them to the capital, gave them a royal palace for their