TFFK WARRIOR TLAOAEI.LEL. 470 



valiant Captainc and greatest Counsellor that ever the Mex- 

 icaines had/as you shall see heereafter. Izcoalt, incouraged 

 by that his nephew had so wisely spoken, retained the 

 people, saying they should first suffer him to try another 

 better meanes. Then turning towards his Nobilitie, he said 

 vnto them : &quot; You are all heere, my kinsmen, and the best of 

 Mexico, hec that hath the courage to carrie a message to 

 the Tepanecas, let him rise vp.&quot; They looked one vpon 

 another, but no man stirred nor offered himselfe to the word. 

 Then this yong man, Tlacaellel, rising, offered himselfe to 

 go, saying, that seeing he must die, it did import little 

 whether it were to-day or to-morrow : for what reason should 

 he so carefully preserve himselfe ? he was therefore readie, 

 let him command what he pleased. And although all held 

 this for a rash attempt, yet the King resolved to send him, 

 that he might thereon vnderstand the will and disposition 

 of the King of Azcapuzalco and of his people ; holding it 

 better to hasten his nephew s death, then to hazard the 

 honour of his Common-weale. Tlacaellel being ready, 

 tooke his way, and being come to the ga~ds, who had com- 

 maundement to kill any Mexicaines that came towards them 

 by cunning or otherwise : he perswaded them to suffer him 

 to passe to the king, who wondered to see him, and hear 

 ing his ambassage, which was to demand peace of him 

 vnder honest conditions, answered, that hee would impart 

 it to his subjects, willing him to returne the next day for 

 his answer ; then Tlacaellel demanded a passport, yet could 

 he not obtaine any, but that ho should vse his best skill. 

 With this he returned to Mexico, giving his words to the 

 guards to returne. And, although the King of Azcapuzalco 

 desired peace, being of a milde disposition, yet his subiects 

 did so incense him, as his answer was open warre. The 

 which being heard by the messenger, he did all his King 

 commanded him, declaring by this ceremony to give armes, 

 and anointing the King with the vnction of the dead, that 



