( 'OS ) 



he loft his courage and haughtinefs. Alfo one of thofe divifions with 

 the chiefs of which he had quarrelled, at this time quitted his army, as 

 we were informed. 



A vedette now, unexpededly, announced the approach of a nu- 

 merous train of Indians by the road of Tlafcala, and his companion 

 who had ftaycd to obferve them, fhortly after galloped in and informed 

 us that they were hard by; we therefore conceived hopes of that which 

 it turned out to be, an embafly of peace. Cortes ordered us all to our 

 quarters, and on the arrival of the embafly, the four old men deputed 

 for the purpofe, advancing from the reft, went to the place where our 

 general was, and bowing their heads, touched the ground with their 

 hands, and kifled them; making three more bows they then advanced, 

 and having prefentcd their incenfe they faid, that they were fent on the 

 part of the people of Tlafcala, to put themfelves under our protection ; 

 declaring that they never would have made war upon us, but for their 

 belief that we were the allies of Montezuma, their mortal and ancient 

 enemy. They added, that the firft attack made upon us was by the 

 Chontales Eftomies, or mountaineers, (without their approbation,) who 

 thought that they could cafily bring our fmall number to their lords the 

 Tlafcalans ; they then faid, that they were come to folicit pardon for 

 the offence, and that the general of their army and other chiefs fhould 

 fliortly wait upon us. Having finiflied, they bowed, touching the 

 ground, and kifling their hands. Cortes, aflliming a fevere look, re- 

 proached them for the violence they had committed, but in confidera- 

 t^on of their wifti to expiate their offences he told them, that he was 

 riow willing to accept their prefents and receive them into favor. He; 

 bid them immediately fend their chiefs to him, as in cafe they failed 

 to come he was determined to proceed in hoftility againft them, but 

 that his wifli was for peace ; in token of which he made them a prefent 

 of fome artificial diamonds. The four ambafladors returned with this 

 meffage, leaving thofe who had attended them with provifions, in our 

 quarters. We now were convinced of the fincerity of their profeftions, 



P which 



