HISTORY OF MEXICO. 



201 



trated the malevolent intention of the tyrant ; but the 

 ardour of youth, the courage and conHdence of his 

 foul, made him prefent himfelf intrepidly before the 

 fterneft dangers. In paffing through Tlatelolco, he pay- 

 ed a vifit to one of his confidents, named Chkhincatl^ 

 by whom he was informed, that the tyrant was not only 

 plotting againft his life and the king of Tlatelolco, but, 

 were it poffible, defired to annihilate the whole Acol- 

 hiian nation. Notwithftanding this, in the evening the 

 prince fet out fearlefs for Azcapozalco, and went directly 

 to the houfe of one of his friends. Early in the morning 

 he waited on Chachaton^ a great favourite of the tyrant, 

 and by whom the prince himfelf was beloved, and re- 

 commended to him to dilTuade Maxtlaton from any de- 

 fign againft his perfon. They went together to the 

 palace ; when Chachaton preceded to acquaint his lord 

 of the arrival of the prince, and to fpeak in his favour. 

 The prince entered after, and when he had paid his 

 obeifance, thus fpoke : 'M know, my lord, that you 

 " have imprifonsd the king of Mexico, but I am igno- 



rant whether you have made him fufier death, or if 

 ^' he ftill lives in prifon. I have heard, alfo, that it is 

 " your wifli to take away my life. If this is true, be- 

 " hold me before you ; kill me with your own hands, 



and gratify the malice which you bear to a prince not 

 " lefs innocent than unfortunate.'' While he fpoke thefe 

 words, the memory of his misfortunes forced tears from 

 his eyes. " What is your opinion ?" faid Maxtlaton then 

 to his favourite, " Is it not flrange, that a youth, v;ho 

 " has hardly begun to enjoy life, fhould feek death fo 

 daringly Turning to the prince, he affured him, 

 that he was forming no defign againft his life, that the 

 king of Mexico was not dead, nor would be put to 



Vol. I. C c death 



