1898-99.] DECIPHERING HIEROGLYPHIC INSCRIPTIONS OF CENTRAL AMERICA, 163 
control, while the second had for chief one of the princes of the junior 
branch, bearing the title of Atzih-Winak-Cawek. Cay-Hunahpu was 
invested with this dignity at the time when the league formed by the 
king of Atitlan against the Cachiquels began to spread into the 
neighbouring lordships. His personal qualities, no less than the extent 
of his wealth and the multitude of his vassals, added to the influence 
that his rank gave him in the State. The absolutism of Oxlahuh-Tzy, 
recalling memories of the period of Qikab, had awakened his ambitious 
instincts ; from that moment he laboured without relaxation to excite the 
rancour of the nobility and to foment insurrection, in the hope of so 
profiting by it as to snatch the sceptre from the reigning family.  Skil- 
ful as he was enterprising, he adopted a policy directly opposed to that 
of the Ahpozotzil and the Ahpoxahil ; he secretly flattered the indepen- 
dent instincts of the high aristocracy ; by his mildness and moderation, 
by his liberality and the sumptuous show of his house, he drew the 
greater part of them to himself, and everything was ready for a revolt 
when an incident, quite unimportant in itself, afforded him the oppor- 
tunity to hasten the denouement and take up arms. 
“Since the death of Ychal Amollac and the annexation of his 
domain to the crown of Quauhtemalan, the Akahales had shown them- 
selves constantly submissive to their new masters ; in consequence of a 
quarrel which had taken place between them and a party of Tukuches, 
the latter plundered their fields and withdrew after setting fire to their 
harvests. This cowardice did not fail to be punished ; the Akahales 
from all sides, fell upon the party at the point of Chiqib, by which it had 
to pass, and, after a fight of short duration, the Tukuches were compelled 
to take to shameful flight. On their return to Iximche, they carried 
their complaint to Cay-Hunahpu, and demanded satisfaction for the 
injury they pretended to have received. The Akahales, on their part, 
dreading vengeance, placed themselves under the protection of the 
Ahpozotzil. The Atzih-Winak saw at a glance the advantage to be 
derived from this affair; he also resolved at once to work it for the 
profit of his ambitious designs. The council of the king being met, he 
naturally took his place in it, together with his relatives, the Ahaus 
Tziriny-Yu and Toxqom-Noh, advocates like himself of the cause of 
the Tukuches ; but the sentence could not be doubtful, justice being too 
evidently on the side of the Akahales to allow of there being any balance 
of opinion in their favour. 
“ This result was foreseen by all; and Cay-Hunahpu naturally desired 
it from the depth of his heart; nevertheless, he spoke eloquently in 
