in fishing, as the few natives who occasionally brought fowls for sale valued them much higher than they had done at the first.  After waiting a long time with much impatience, Teuchtlile returned to the camp alone, the other ambassador having fallen ill by the way.  He delivered a present of ten loads of the finest cotton garments, four jewels resembling emeralds, called calchihuis, so highly valued by the Mexicans, that he said each was worth more than a load of gold, and besides these, some gold ornaments to the value of 3000 crowns, and some ornamental work in feathers.  After delivering this present, Teuhtlile said, that Montezuma desired to have no more messages, and that henceforth all farther intercourse between the Spaniards and Mexico must cease.  Though much mortified at this refusal, Cortes made a polite answer; after which, turning to some of us who were present, he said, “Assuredly this is a great and rich king; and, with the permission of God, we must see him.”  To which we all answered that we were ready to march at his command.  At this moment the bell tolled for the Ave Maria, and we all fell on our knees before the holy cross.  The Mexican chiefs were curious to know the meaning of all this, and asked why we adored that piece of wood.  On this, at the suggestion of Cortes, Father Olmedo explained the mystery of the cross, by virtue of which the evil spirits were chased away, and endeavoured to instruct them in the principles of Christianity, representing the abomination of their idolatry, and the barbarity of their human sacrifices, the putting a stop to which was the principal object of our voyage to their country.  He then shewed them an image of the Holy Virgin with the child Jesus in her arms, desiring them to take it with them and adore it, and to plant similar crosses to that they now saw in their temples instead of their accursed images.  Teuhtlile promised that he would relate every thing he had seen and heard to his sovereign, and went his way.

At this time considerable quantities of gold were brought by the natives to barter with the soldiers for toys, but very few provisions, so that we were forced to pay away this gold again to our mariners for fish, as otherwise we should have been reduced to absolute want.  Cortes was perfectly aware of this private traffic, which however he considered as tending to advance his own schemes, although he carefully concealed his opinions on the subject; but the adherents of Velasquez began to express much displeasure at the practice, and demanded of Cortes to take such measures as might bring all the gold into a public stock under the charge of a common treasurer, for the benefit of all concerned.  Cortes immediately complied with their requisition, and appointed Gonzalo Mexia to this office; but said angrily to those who had insisted on this regulation, “Our brave companions are suffering under a scarcity of provisions, and I connived therefore at the trifling traffic in