Stories of American explorers : a historical reader . ose choice proved a wise one, as Cortez furnisheda large sum of money for fitting out the expe- dition, and easily secured strong men to /join hisforces. Cortez was glad to go to Mexico, because henot only hoped to find wealth, but to teach the na-tives something about the Christian religion. Incarrying out his purpose be knew be would facemany dangers, but he did not fear them. In 151(.) he landed at Tabasco. Here be met abeautiful Indian girl, whom be taught to speakthe Spanish language. He called her Marina. Shebecame fond of
Stories of American explorers : a historical reader . ose choice proved a wise one, as Cortez furnisheda large sum of money for fitting out the expe- dition, and easily secured strong men to /join hisforces. Cortez was glad to go to Mexico, because henot only hoped to find wealth, but to teach the na-tives something about the Christian religion. Incarrying out his purpose be knew be would facemany dangers, but he did not fear them. In 151(.) he landed at Tabasco. Here be met abeautiful Indian girl, whom be taught to speakthe Spanish language. He called her Marina. Shebecame fond of him, and after-ward saved his life many acted as an interpreter. Not long after landing, Cor-te/> built the town of Yera Cru/,where be bad everything his ownway. Having resigned the com-mission he received when hesailed from Cuba, he induced thepeople of the new town, who werethe soldiers of his army, to electhim as their commander, and inthis way indicated that be was nolonger serving under the Spanishgovernor. This was a daring Marina. American Explorers thing to do, for Cortez well knew that if he nowfailed and returned to Cuba he might lose his headfor this act of rebellion. CORTEZ AND MONTEZUMA When Montezuma, the ruler of the people ofMexico, heard that Cortez had landed, he wasgreatly troubled, because many years before thattime, according to a story that Montezuma and allMexicans believed, a fair-skinned being, called theSky God, had been driven out of the country bythe God of Darkness. This Sky God had been afriend of the Mexicans, and had taught them manythings. When he left them he said: Some day Ishall return, and when I do I shall come with menas fair-skinned as myself, and become ruler ofthe country. Montezuma naturally thought thatCnrte/ was the Sky God, who had returned toMexico to be the ruler of the land. Thereforehe said: This white stranger will rob me of mypower. When Cortez saw the messengers from Monte-/umu, he told them that he had gifts for
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