15S 



HISTORY OF MEXICO. 



that this was a favourable occafion to win the favour of 

 their lord, refolved to exert every effort of their bravery. 

 They armed themfelves with long flout flaves, the 

 points of which they hardened in the fire, not only to 

 be ufed againfl the enemy, but to afTifl them in leaping 

 from one bufh to another if it fhould prove neceffary, 

 as, in fa<^5 they had to combat in the water. They 

 made themfelves knives of itzli, and targets or fliields 

 of reeds wove together. It was agreed among them, 

 that they were not to employ themfelves as it was ufual 

 in making prifoners, but to content themfelves with 

 cutting off an ear, and leaving the enemy without fur- 

 ther hurt. With this difpofition they went out to battle, 

 and while the Colhuas and Xochimilcas were engaged, 

 either by land on the borders of the lake, or by water 

 in their fhips, the Mexicans rufhed furioufly on the 

 enemy, affifted by their flaves in the water ; cut off 

 the ears of thofe whom they encountered, and put 

 them in bafkets which they carried for that purpofe ; 

 but when they could not effect this from the flruggles 

 of the enemy, they killed them. By the affiflance of 

 the Mexicans, the Colhuas obtained fo complete a vic- 

 tory that the Xochimilcas not only abandoned the 

 field, but afraid even to remain in their city, they took 

 refuge in the mountains. 



This aftion having ended with fo much glory, ac- 

 cording to the cuflom of thofe nations, the foldiers of 

 the Colhuas prefented themfelves with their prifoners 

 before their general ; as the bravery of the foldiers was 

 not eftimated by the number of enemies which were left 

 dead on the field, but of thofe who were made prifon- 

 ers alive, and Ihewn to the general. It cannot be 

 doubted, that this was a rational fentiment, and a prac- 

 tice 



