( '64 ) 



he had foon killed a great quantity of various kinds, fuch as deer, hares 

 and rabbits. After having amufed himfelf for fome time in this manner, 

 he returned on board the veffel, and fet fail for Mexico. We dif- 

 charged our artillery during the voyage, which afforded him amufe- 

 ment and falisfadtion, and he delighted us all by his affable and friendly 

 behaviour ; nor is it poiTible to defcribe, how noble he was in every 

 thing he did, nor the refped: in which he was held by every one about 

 him. One day, three of our captains were in his prefence when a 

 hawk entered the apartments purfuing a quail, which kind of birds, as 

 well as doves, bred in and about the palaces. As our officers and 

 foldiers were admiring the beauty and flight of the hawk, and talking 

 upon the fubjed: in general, Montezuma was curious to know what 

 we were faying, which being explained to him, and alfo how we could 

 tame hawks and fly them from our hands, Montezuma faid that he 

 would order the bird to be caught for us, and giving immediate direc- 

 tions to that purpofe, by the next morning his hunters had caught and 

 brought to us the identical bird. 



Cacamatzin the king's nephew, and prince of the city of Tezcuco, 

 the largefl next to Mexico in the empire, having received information 

 that the king had been now many days kept prifoner by the Spaniards, 

 and that they had alfo opened the treafury of his anceflors, in order to 

 fecure it by a timely effort, convoked his vaffals, and alfo the neigh- 

 bouring princes . Amongft them was the lord of Matalcingo, a great 

 warrior, and near relation of Montezuma, who was faid to have pre- 

 teniion to the throne. Thefe princes and chiefs he fummoned, in order 

 to induce them to aflemble their forces, and fall upon us in a body. 

 When they were met in confultation upon this propoiition, the prince 

 whom I before mentioned to have had pretenfions to the throne, made 

 the fupport of them the condition of his entering into the confederacy. 

 Cacamatzin then brought forward a fimilar claim, declaring that he 

 would go through the bufinefs with his own force, for which purpofe 

 he made arrangements with his friends in the city of Mexico. This 

 coming to the knowledge of Montezuma, he immediately forbid any 



fuch 



