Malinche was by his side; and when he held up his hands, to show that he wished to address them, a silence fell upon the multitude; and Malinche's voice was heard plainly by them, as she translated the words of Cortez.

He told them they must now feel that they could not struggle against the Spaniards.

Their gods had been cast down, their dwellings burnt, their warriors slaughtered.

And all this they had brought on themselves, by their rebellion.

Yet if they would lay down their arms, and return to the obedience of their sovereign, he would stay his hand.