218 



HISTORY OF MEXICO. 



the populace, " if we are conquered : but if we obtain 

 " the vidlory, we, and our defcendants are bound to be 

 " tributary to you, to cultivate your lands, and thofe of 



the nobles, to build your houfes, and to carry for you, 



when you go to war, your arms and your baggage." 

 This contrail being made between the nobles and the 

 people, and the command of the Mexican troops being 

 given to the brave Montezuma, the king conveyed fpeedy 

 advice to Nezahualcojotl, to repair with his army imme- 

 diately to Mexico, which he did a day before the battle. 



It cannot be doubted, that the Mexicans had before 

 this time conftru(5led the roads which ferved for a more 

 eafy communication to the city with the continent ; as 

 otherwife the movement and ikirmiflies of the two ar- 

 mies are not to be comprehended : we know from hif- 

 tory, that fuch roads were interfered by ditches, with 

 drawbridges over them, but no hiftorian mentions the 

 time of their conftruftion {a). It is not a little wonder^ 

 ful, that the Mexicans, during a life of fo many hard- 

 fliips, fliould have had the fpirit to undertake and con- 

 ftancy to execute a work of fuch magnitude and difficulty. 



The following day, upon the arrival of the prince Ne- 

 zahualcojotl at Mexico, the Tepanecan army appeared in 

 the field in great numbers and brilliancy, being adorned 

 with plates of gold, and wearing beautiful plumes of fea- 

 thers on their heads, to add to the appearance of their 

 ftature. As they marched they made frequent fliouts, 

 in boaftful anticipation of viftory. Their army was com- 

 manded by a famous general called MazatL The ty- 

 rant Maxtlaton, although he had accepted the challenge, 



did 



{a) I believe the Mexicans had before this time conftrudled the roads of 

 Tacuba and Tepeyacac, but not that of Iztapallapan, which is larger than thofe, 

 and where the lake is deeper. 



