I awoke much refreshed, having slept many hours, for now the sun was setting, and was astonished to find the grave-looking man my companion in the canoe, keeping watch over my sleep and warding the gnats from me with a leafy branch.  His kindness seemed to show that I was in no danger of ill-treatment, and my fears on that point being set at rest, I began to wonder as to what strange land I had come and who its people might be.  Soon, however, I gave over, having nothing to build on, and observed the scenery instead.  Now we were paddling up a smaller river than the one on the banks of which I had been cast away, and were no longer in the midst of marshes.  On either side of us was open land, or rather land that would have been open had it not been for the great trees, larger than the largest oak, which grew upon it, some of them of surpassing beauty.  Up these trees climbed creepers that hung like ropes even from the topmost boughs, and among them were many strange and gorgeous flowering plants that seemed to cling to the bark as moss clings to a wall.  In their branches also sat harsh-voiced birds of brilliant colours, and apes that barked and chattered at us as we went.

Just as the sun set over all this strange new scene the canoes came to a landing place built of timber, and we disembarked.  Now it grew dark suddenly, and all I could discover was that I was being led along a good road.  Presently we reached a gate, which, from the barking of dogs and the numbers of people who thronged about it, I judged to be the entrance to a town, and passing it, we advanced down a long street with houses on either side.  At the doorway of the last house my companion halted, and taking me by the hand, led me into a long low room lit with lamps of earthenware.  Here some women came forward and kissed him, while others whom I took to be servants, saluted him by touching the floor with one hand.  Soon, however, all eyes were turned on me and many eager questions were asked of the chief, of which I could only guess the purport.

When all had gazed their fill supper was served, a rich meal of many strange meats, and of this I was invited to partake, which I did, seated on a mat and eating of the dishes that were placed upon the ground by the women.  Among these I noticed one girl who far surpassed all the others in grace, though none were unpleasing to the eye.  She was dark, indeed, but her features were regular and her eyes fine.  Her figure was tall and straight, and the sweetness of her face added to the charm of her beauty.  I mention this girl here for two reasons, first because she saved me once from sacrifice and once from torture, and secondly because she was none other than that woman who afterwards became known as Marina, the mistress of Cortes, without whose aid he had never conquered Mexico.  But at this time she did not guess that it was her destiny to bring her country of Anahuac beneath the cruel yoke of the Spaniard.