206 



HISTORY OF MEXICO. 



mantzin the fuperintendant of all the looms of Coatitlan, 

 and Matlalintzin, a woman of noble rapk. The Tepa- 

 necas not being able, notwithftanding the utmofl dili- 

 gence in their fearch, and the cruelty they exercifed 

 againfl: the inhabitants, to find out the prince, went in 

 quefl of him through the country* Nezahualcojotl fet 

 out alfo another way, and took a direftly contrary route 

 to his adverfaries ; but as they fought for him every 

 where, he was in great hazard of falling into their hands, 

 had he not been hid by fome countrymen, under a heap 

 of the herb chia, which was lying upon a threfhing floor. 



The prince finding himfelf fafe from this danger, went 

 to pafs the night at Tezcotzinco, a pleafant villa formed 

 by his anceftors for recreation. There he was waited 

 for by fix lords, who had left their ftates, and were tra- 

 verfing through the different cities of the kingdom. 

 There they held a fecret counfel that night, and refolved 

 to folicit the aflTiftance of the Chalchefe, although they 

 had been accomplices in the death of king IxtlilxochitL 

 The next morning early, he proceeded to Matlallan and 

 other places, intimating to thofe of his party to be pre- 

 pared with arms by the time of his return. Two days 

 were employed in thefe negotiations, and on the evening 

 of the fecond he was met at Apan by the ambaffadors of 

 the Cholulans, who offered to afiift him in war againft 

 the tyrant. Here he was joined alfo by two lords of 

 his party, who communicated to him the unfortunate 

 intelligence of the death of his favourite HuitzilihuitI, 

 who was put to the torture by the tyrant, that he might 

 reveal fome fecrets ; but being too loyal to his mafter to 

 difcover them, he died a martyr to his fidelity. Full of 

 this difguft he pafled from Apan to Huexotzinco, the 

 lord of which was his relation, and received him with 



infinite 



