piece of luck.  Aguilar did not understand the language of these folk.  But at Tabasco, where Cortes had had a fight with the native army, some slaves had been presented to him as a peace-offering.  Among them was a beautiful young girl, daughter of a Mexican chief, who after her father’s death had been sold as a slave by her own mother, who wished to get her inheritance.  During her captivity she had learned the dialect Aguilar spoke, and the two interpreters between them succeeded in translating Cortes’s Castilian into the Aztec of Mexico from the first.  The young girl was later baptized Marina.  There being no “r” in the Aztec language the people called her Malintzin or Malinche,—­Lady Marina, the ending “tzin” being a title of respect.  She learned Castilian with wonderful quickness, and was of great service not only to Cortes but to her own people, since she could explain whatever he did not understand.

Cortes learned that the name of the ruler of the country was Moteczuma.  His capital was on the plateau about seventy miles in the interior.  This coast province, which he had lately conquered, was ruled by one of his Aztec governors.  Gold was abundant.  Moteczuma had great store of it.  Cortes decided to pitch his camp where afterward stood the capital of New Spain.

The friendly Indians brought stakes and mats and helped to build huts, native fashion.  From all the country round the people flocked to see the strange white men, bringing fruit, flowers, game, Indian corn, vegetables and native ornaments of all sorts.  Some of these they gave away and some they bartered.  Every soldier and mariner turned trader; the place looked like a great fair.

On Easter Day the Aztec governor arrived upon a visit of ceremony.  Cortes received him in his own tent, with all courtesy, in the presence of his officers, all in full uniform.  Mass was said, and the Aztec chief and his attendants listened with grave politeness.  Then the guests were invited to a dinner at which various Spanish dishes, wines and sweetmeats were served as formally as at court.  After this the interpreters were summoned for the real business of the day.

The Aztec nobleman wished to know whence and why the strangers had come to this country.  Cortes answered that he was the subject of a monarch beyond seas, as powerful as Moteczuma, who had heard of the Aztec Emperor and sent his compliments and some gifts.  The governor gracefully expressed his willingness to convey both to his royal master.  Cortes courteously declined, saying that he must himself deliver them.  At this the governor seemed surprised and displeased; evidently this was not in his plan.  “You have been here only two days,” he said, “and already demand an audience with the Emperor?” Then he expressed his astonishment at learning that there was any other monarch as great as Moteczuma, and sent his attendants to bring a few gifts which he himself had chosen for the white chief.