( "7 ) 



their monarch, which was to this effed. That he wondered at our 

 flay amongft a people fo poor and bafe as the TIafcalans, who were . 

 robbers, and unfit even for flavesj and he earneftly requefted that we 

 would immediately vifit his capital. Cortes replied affuring them that 

 he would (hortly pay his refpedts to the great Montezuma, requefting 

 their ftay with him during the interval. He alfo determined to fend 

 two cavaliers as ambaffadors, to wait on Montezuma, and view the city 

 of Mexico. The perfons he pitched on were Pedro de Alvarado, and 

 B. Vafquez de Tapia. They fet out on their journey, accompanying 

 the former Mexican ambaffadors who had hitherto continued with us. 

 I was at this time ill of my wounds, and of a fever; and therefore in- 

 capable of obferving exactly all that paffed, but I know, that their 

 going thither appeared to us a very unwife meafure, and in confequence 

 of our remonftrances, they were recalled. 



The chiefs of Cholula now fent us four men of low condition, 

 with a very dry and uncourteous anfwer to our meffage, and without 

 any prefent whatever. This evidently appeared to be done in contempt, 

 and Cortes fent notice to them, that if their chiefs did not wait upon 

 him in three days, they fhould be confidered as rebels; but that in cafe 

 of their pompliancc, he would be happy to efteem them as brothers, ^ 

 and hacjl much to tell them of great importance. They then fent word 

 that they dared not to come amongft their enemies the TIafcalans, who 

 they knew had mifreprefented them and the great Montezuma to us ; 

 but they requefted that we would vifit their city, where they would 

 give us an honorable reception. When the TIafcalans faw our deter- 

 mination to accept this propofal they told us, that fince we were re- 

 folved to negledt their advice, they expeded that we would take with 

 us ten thoulknd of their beft warriors. This was thought two great a 

 number for a peaceable vifit ; we however agreed to take two thoufand, 

 who were immediately ready to attend us. 



Being well prepared againft whatever might happen, we now fet 

 out on our march, and arrived in the evening at a river, diftant a fhort 



league 



