204 HISTORY OF MEXICO. 



with the Chalchefe, with the lofs of their people, and the 

 vefTels overfet by the enemy. The interpreter of that 

 collection adds, that Chimalpopoca left many children 

 whom he had by his concubines. 



As foon as Maxtlaton knew of the death of his no- 

 ble prifoner, he rofe in wrath at the difappointment of 

 his projefts ; and left that Nezahiialcojotl might alfo 

 elude his revenge, he determined to anticipate death to 

 him by whatever means he could, which he would have 

 done before, could he have accompHfhed it in the man- 

 ner enjoined by his father, or had he not been intimi- 

 dated, as fome hiftorians affirm, by certain auguries of 

 the priefts ; but his paffion now furmounted all reftraints 

 of religion ; he ordered four of his moft able captains to 

 go in quefi: of the prince, and take his life, without re- 

 miffion, wherever they fliould find him. The Tepane- 

 can captains fet out with a fmall party only, that rumour 

 might not prevent their coming up with their fpoil, and 

 proceeded dire61:iy to Tezcuco, where, as they arrived, 

 Nczahualcojotl was diverting himfelf at foot-ball with 

 one of his familiars, named Ocelotl. Wherever the 

 prince went to gain adherents to his party, he fpent 

 great part of his time at balls, games, and other amufe- 

 raents, that the governors of thofe places, who watch- 

 ed his condudl by order of the tyrant, and obferved all 

 his fleps, feeing him taken up with paftimes, might be 

 perfuaded that he had dropt all thoughts of the crown, 

 and gradually negle6i: to attend to him. By thefe means 

 he carried on his negotiations without creating the flight- 

 ed fufpicion. On this occafion, before the captains en- 

 tered his houfe, he knew that they were Tepanecas, and 

 that they came armed : this made him apprehend what 

 they might intend, upon which he left oS play, and re- 

 tired 



