HISTORY OF MEXICO* 



121 



mecan, left his government divided between his two fons 

 Achcauhtli and Xolotl ; the latter either not brooking, 

 as frequently happens, the divifion of regal authority, 

 was willing to prove whether fortune deflined him other 

 territories, where he could govern without a rival ; or 

 perceiving that the mountains of his kingdom were not 

 fufficient to provide fupport for the then probably in- 

 creafed number of inhabitants, determined to eafe necef- 

 fity by a timely departure* Having taken, therefore, 

 fuch refolution from the one or other motive, and having 

 firft got intelligence by his emiflaries of a good fituation 

 in the fouthern countries, he fet out from his native land, 

 with a large army of his fubjedls, who were difpofcd, 

 from afFe£lion or intereft, to accompany him. In their 

 travels they encountered with the ruins of the Toltecan 

 fettlemeuts, and in particular of the great city of Tula, 

 where they arrived at the end of eighteen months. From 

 this they proceeded towards Chempoalla and Tepepolco, 

 forty miles diftant, towards the north, from the fite of 

 Mexico. From thence Xolotl fent the prince Nopaltzin, 

 his fon, to furvey the country. The prince crofied the 

 borders of the lakes, the mountains v/hich furround the 

 delightful vale of Mexico, and having marked the whole 

 country, from the top of a lofty mountain, he fliot four 

 arrows to the four winds in token of taking poffeffion, in 

 the name of his father, of all that country. Xolotl be- 

 ing made acquainted with the quality of the country, re- 

 folved to eftabiiili himfelf in Tenayuca, a place fix miles 

 diftant from the fite of Mexico towards the north, and 

 diftributed his people among the neighbouring lands : 

 but the greater population being towards the north, and 

 north-weft, that tra6l of land had fince the name of 

 Chechemecatialii, that is, the land of the Chechemecas. 

 Vol. L Hiflorians 



