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s which had been presented
to him by Motecusuma. Cortes at the same time remarked to the caziques,
that it would be the best possible thing if peace and friendship could
be brought about between themselves and the Mexicans, that they might no
longer continue in the disagreeable necessity of making shift with other
things for want of cotton, salt, and other wares.

To this Xicotencatl immediately replied, "That with the Mexicans a
treaty of peace was a mere formality: enmity, nevertheless, always clung
fast to their hearts. It was the characteristic of this people to plot
the foulest treacheries under the semblance of profound peace. No
reliance could be placed on their promises, their words were empty
sounds, and he could not remind and beg of us too often to be upon our
guard against the snares of this vile people."[30]

Next came into consideration the route we should take in our march to
Mexico. Motecusuma's ambassadors, who still remained with us, and wished
to act as our guides, maintained that the best and most level road lay
through the town of Cholulla, whose inhabitants, as subjects of
Motecusuma, would be ready to lend any assistance.

We were also unanimously of opinion that this was the road we ought to
take; but the caziques of Tlascalla, on the contrary, were quite
downcast, when they learnt our determination, and maintained that we
ought to march over Huexotzinco, whose inhabitants were their relatives
and friends, and that we ought not to take our road through Cholulla,
where Motecusuma was accustomed to form his vile stratagems. Their
arguments, however, were of no avail: Cortes adhered to his resolution
of marching over that town. His reason for taking that road was because
this town, according to general report, was thickly populated, had many
beautiful towers, and large cues and temples, and lay in a beautiful
valley, surrounded by extensive townships well stocked with provisions.
Indeed, at that time even, Cholulla, when viewed at a distance, had the
appearance of our great city of Valladolid of Old Castile. At Cholulla,
moreover, we should have our friends of Tlascalla in the immediate
neighbourhood; we could not, therefore, select a more proper spot to
form our plans of reaching the city of Mexico without coming into
contact with the great body of its troops. For in all truth, if God had
not mercifully assisted us with his heavenly arm, and lent us strength
in the moment of need, it would not have been possible for us to have
achieved what we did!

After a long deliberation thus, the route over Cholulla was fixed upon,
and Cortes sent to acquaint the inhabitants with our intentions, more
particularly as, notwithstanding they dwelt so near, they had despatched
no ambassadors to us, nor shown any of those attentions which were due
to us who came in the name of our great monarch, who, he added, had the
good of the people of Cholulla at heart. He at the same time desired
that all the caziques and papas of the town should repair to our
quarters, and swear allegiance to our sovereign and master, otherwise he
should look upon them as our enemies.

While Cortes was despatching this message, and making other
arrangements, it was announced to him that four ambassadors had arrived
with presents in gold from the powerful Motecusuma, who, indeed, never
despatched any messengers from his court if not provided with presents
by him. He would have considered it an insult offered to us if he had
not done so. I will relate in the following chapter what message these
ambassadors brought.

[30] In all the conferences which Cortes had with the Tlascallan chiefs,
they showed an excessive hatred to the Mexicans, from which the
Spaniards derived great advantages: Gomara, however, would make it
appear that the Mexicans could at any time have given the Tlascallans a
total overthrow if they had felt so inclined, but that they considered
it better policy to attack them from time to time, when they wanted
victims for their sacrifices; and then also the younger warriors of
Mexico could have frequent opportunities of learning the art of war near
to the metropolis, without marching to the distant boundaries of the
empire for that purpose. This supposition of Gomara, however, is not
founded on anything like fact. (p. 188.)

CHAPTER LXXX.

 _How the great Motecusuma despatched four ambassadors to us, all men
 in high authority, with presents in gold and cotton stuffs, and what
 they said to our captains._

When Cortes admitted the four ambassadors into his presence they paid
him and we other warriors, who stood around his person, the most
profound respect, and placed before him the presents, consisting of
valuable gold trinkets of various workmanship, worth about 10,000 pesos;
and in ten packages of cotton stuffs, most beautifully interwoven with
feathers: all of which our general received with a friendly smile. They
then said that their monarch could not help feeling astonished that we
had made such a long stay among a poor and uncivilized people, who were
even not fit for slaves, but at the same time so viciously disposed, so
treacherous and thievish, that some day or night when we least expected
it they would murder us merely for the sake of plunder. Motecusuma
begged of us rather to visit his town, where, at least, we might enjoy
the good things it offered, though even these should be below our
deserts, and not equal to what he could wish. We should be regularly
supplied with the necessary provisions, though these had all to be
brought into their city from other parts.

These expressions of friendship were merely sent by Motecusuma in order
to entice us from Tlascalla, being aware that we stood in close
friendship with its inhabitants, and that the caziques to strengthen the
union had given their daughters to Malinche and his officers. For he
would easily conjecture that nothing good could ensue to the Mexicans
from our alliance with them, and this was the reason why he baited us
with gold and other presents that we might enter into his territory, or
that we should, at least, quit the country of the Tlascallans.

The Tlascallans were personally acquainted with these ambassadors, and
they told our captain that all of them were great personages and landed
proprietors, who had subjects of their own. These ambassadors Motecusuma
employed on the most important matters only. Cortes returned them many
thanks, in the most flattering manner, for their civilities and the
expressions of friendship they made in the name of their monarch, and he
desired them to say that in a short time he would pay his respects to
him. He then invited them to pass some time amongst us.

About this time Cortes also sent two of our chief officers in advance to
communicate with Motecusuma and view the great city of Mexico, and
inspect its strong fortifications and other works of defence. These
officers were Alvarado and Vazquez de Tapia. They set out on their
march, and the four ambassadors who had brought t

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