II
1.On they went，these seven thousand Spaniards，on to within half a league of the capital，where，at a solid wall of stone，twelve feet high，they were stopped by some hundred Mexican chiefs，who announced that the great Montezuma had come out to meet them.Amid a crowd of Indian nobles，preceded by three officers of state bearing golden wands，the Spaniards saw the royal litter blazing with gold.It was borne on the shoulders of barefooted nobles，who walked slowly，with eyes bent down on the ground.Over it was a canopy of gaudy feather-work，powdered with jewels and fringed with silver.
2.Suddenly it stopped；the great king alighted；theground was spread with tapestry，that the imperialfeet should not be soiled ；and with the canopy carried over his head，the monarch advanced in all his regal majesty.His subjects lined the way，bending forward with their eyes fixed on the ground as he passed.He was dressed in an ample cloak，sprinkled with pearlsand precious stones.On his feet he wore sandals with soles of gold，on his head plumes of the royal colour，green.
3.Cortes descended from his horse，and showed profound respect to Montezuma.He threw round his neck a collar made of false pearls and diamonds；while Montezuma returned this somewhat poor present by presenting the Spanish general with two collars of shellsadorned with golden pendants.Then with coloursflying and music playing，the Spaniards followed the great king into his capital.Cortes himself was to lodge in the royal palace.“This palace belongs to you and your brethren，”said the king.“Rest after your fatigues，and in a little while I will visit you again.”
4.That evening the Spaniards celebrated their arrival in Mexico by a great discharge of guns.As their thunder shook the buildings of the city and echoed away among the hills，and as the smoke rolled up in volumes，the hearts of the Indians were filled with dismay.They had those in their midst who could spread desolation through their fair city，who could call down thunderbolts to consume them！
5.The following day Cortes paid a visit to Montezuma.Passing through courts where fountains of crystal water played by night and day，under ceilings hung with featherdraperiesglowing with colour，over mats of palm-leaf，through clouds of incense and intoxicatingperfumes，the Spaniards were at last ushered into the royal presence.
6.Cortes soon entered on the subject which was uppermost in his thoughts-the conversion to Christianity of Montezuma and his people.Eloquently he spoke to the heathen king of the wrong he did in worshipping idols and strange gods；eloquently he begged him to accept the new religion he was sent from Spain toteach.
7.All his eloquence was in vain.It soon became clear that neither the conquest nor the conversion of Mexico would be possible while Montezuma was on the throne.To seize the king‘s person was the only course open.Afew weeks later，having gained an audienceof the king，Cortes talked playfully for a time，receiving presents from Montezuma，and gaining his favour.Suddenly changing his tone，he accused the king of having been the author of a skirmish between the Indians and the Spaniards，in which a great many of the latter were killed.He begged Montezuma to come quickly into their palace to assure them of his innocence.
8.As the full meaning of Cortes’s words dawned on Montezuma，he became pale as death；then his face flushed，as he cried angrily，“When was it ever heardthat a great prince like myself voluntarilyleft his ownpalace to become a prisoner in the hands of strangers？And if I should consent to such a degradation，”he continued firmly，“my subjects never would.”Two long hours were spent in argument.“Why do we waste time on this barbarian？”cried one impatient Spaniard.“Let us seize him，and，if he resists，let us plunge our swords into his body.”The fierce tone of the Spaniard alarmed Montezuma.He looked round for sympathy and support，but in vain.Then his courage sank，and he feebly consented to go.His litter was called for，and so，borne by his weeping nobles in deep silence，Montezuma left his palace，never to return.
9.Though allowed a certain amount of pomp andluxur y，he was virtuallya prisoner.The fact wasproclaimed to his subjects by the appearance of some sixty men patrolling outside the palace day and night.Soon the king‘s humiliation was completed by fetters being fastened to his feet.He was speechless under this new insult.He was as one struck down by a heavy blow.
He offered no resistance，he spoke no word，but from time to time low moans expressed his anguish.He was a king no longer.
