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Cortes was now informed of the approach of the fat cacique, who 

 fliortly appeared, borne in a Htter by his principal nobihty ; and on his 

 arrival, he immediately joined with the chiefs of this place, in bitter 

 complaints of the tyranny of Montezuma; one of the heavieft articles 

 of which was, his demand of their children for the purpofes of facrifice, 

 orflavery; and they aflerted that this was the practice, with many 

 other ad:s of outrage committed by his officers, through the whole of 

 the country where the language of Totonaque was fpoken ; a tradt 

 which contained above thirty towns. Cortes confoled them, promifing 

 redrefs, and whilft they were thus converfing a perfon came to inform 

 the chiefs, that there were juft then arrived five Mexican officers, or 

 collediors of tribute. This intelligence drove the colour from the cheeks 

 of all the natives, and they went trembling, to receive them, leaving 

 Cortes quite alone. 



For thefe officers lodgings were prepared with the greateft difpatch, 

 and chocolate got ready for their refrefhment. As they went to their 

 apartments they paffed us by with great ftate, not deignirig to caft a 

 look upon Cortes. They were drefled in mantles elegantly wrought, 

 and drawers of the fame; their hair fliining, and as it were tied at the 

 top of the head, and each of them had in his hand a bunch of rofes, 

 which he occafionally fmelt to. They were attended by fervants who 

 fanned them, and each of whom ,carried a cord and a hooked flick. 

 They were alfo attended by a numerous company of the principal per- 

 fons, who did not quit them until they :had taken their refrefliment, 

 after which they fent for the fat cacique, and thofe of this place, and 

 gave them a fevere reprimand for . receiving, and entertaining us, contrary 

 to the will of their fovereign, Montezuma j and having ufed many 

 threats of punifhment, they concluded with a demand of twenty men 

 and women to facrifice to their gods, in order to expiate the offence. 



This beingcmade known ;to our general he acquainted the caciques, 

 that in conformity to his duty, he deemed it proper to feize the perfons 

 of thefe officers. J until their lord,. Montezuma, fhould be informed of the 



tyrannies 



