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Rica. He was informed by the Tlafcalan chiefs, and alfo by one of our 

 invalids who remained there when we marched to Mexico, that the 

 perfons who had been fent from Villa Rica to receive it, had, on their 

 return, been robbed and murdered on the road, at the time we were enr 

 gaged in hoftilities with the Mexicans. Another caufe of uneafmefs to 

 us was, our uncertainty as to the fituation of our countrymen at Villa 

 Rica. Letters were fent, to inform them of the events which had late- 

 ly taken place, and defiring them to fend us what arms and ammunition 

 they could fpare, and a ftrong reinforcement. We were informed by 

 the return of the melTengers, that all continued well in the neighbour- 

 hood of that garrifon. The reinforcement alfo, which had been requi- 

 red, was immediately feat. It confifled of feven men in the whole, 

 three of whom were failors, and every one of them invalids. They 

 were commanded by a foldier named Lencero, the fame who kept the 

 inn at prefent called by his name. For a long time afterwards, a rein- 

 forcement of Lencero, was a proverbial expreflion with us. 



We had now fome trouble given us by the younger Xicotenga. 

 This chief on hearing of our misfortunes in Mexico, and of our being 

 in march for his country, conceived the projedl of taking us, by furprife, 

 a:nd putting us all to death ; for which purpofe he was very adive in 

 forming his party, and having affembled many of his friends, relations, 

 and adherents, he expofed to them the facility with which it could be 

 done. Thefe intrigues however could not go on long, without coming 

 to the knowledge of his father, who reproached him feverely for his 

 treacherous condud:, alfuring him that if it came to be known, it would 

 coll the lives of him and all thofe concerned with him. The young 

 man however perfevered, paying no regard to what his father faid, and 

 the affair at length coming to the ears of his mortal enemy Chichime- 

 catecle, he immediately gave information of it; whereupon, a council 

 was fummoned of all the chiefs to take the affair into confideration, and 

 Xicotenga was brought prifoner before them. Maxicatzin was the ora- 

 tor upon the occafion and fpoke at confiderable length in favour of the 

 Spaniards j he laid that profperity had attended their nation ever fince 



our 



