( >6S ) 



fuch fleps being taken, and communicated to Cortes the information 

 which he had received. The tranfadion was already in a certain degree 

 known to us, but not to the full extent. Cortes in confequence thereof 

 prbpofed to take with him a body of Mexicans to attack and deftroy the 

 city of Tezcuco, but this determination not being fatisfadory to Mon- 

 tezuma, Cortes fent to Cacamatzin, defiring him to defift from his 

 warhke preparations , as he wiflied him for his friend. Cacamatzin 

 replied that he was not to be duped like others by plaufible words ; that 

 he expedted foon to fee us, and then we might fay to him what we 

 would. Cortes once again fent to Cacamatzin warning him not to pro- 

 ceed to hoftilities, the confequence of which would be the lofs of the 

 king's life ; to which this chief returned for anfwer, that neither the 

 king nor Cortes were of any confequence to him, for that he was de- 

 termined to perfevere in his intentions. 



He had at this time a brother in Mexico, who had been obliged 

 to fly thither on account of a family quarrel. This being known to us-, 

 our general propofed to Montezuma to call the reigning prince to his 

 court, where we could feize on and detain him until he became more 

 amenable, or if we thought proper elevate the brother now in Mexico 

 to his place. Montezuma agreed to fend for him, adding, that if he 

 refufed to come, he would give directions for having him brought by 

 force. For this Cortes returned him thanks with many profeflions of 

 fincere regard, alTuring him that he ftaid by him entirely for his pro- 

 tection, and that for his part he fhould be happy to accompanj^ him to 

 his palace, but that he could not get his captains to confent to it. The 

 king thanked him, and faid that he would immediately fend to inform 

 Cacamatzin of his true fituation, and how it was adopted of his own 

 free will, and by the advice of his gods j for Montezuma was perfed:ly 

 well acquainted with the diffimulation pradtifed by Cortes, and that it 

 was only done in order to found him. Montezuma according to his 

 promife fent a meflage to the prince, who perfecftly underflood the 

 manner in which it was obtained, and declared his determination to 

 attack us in four days, faying, that his uncle the king was a pitiful 



monarch. 



