HiiSTORY OF MEXICO. 219 



did not think proper to leave his palace, either becaufe 

 he believed he vi^ould degrade himfelf by going to com- 

 bat with the king of Mexico, or, which is more proba- 

 ble, becaufe he dreaded the event of the war. As foon 

 as the Mexicans were informed of the motions of the 

 Tepanecas, they went out well ordered to meet them, 

 and the fignal for engagement being given by king Itz- 

 coatl, by the found of a little drum which he carried on 

 his flioulder, the armies attacked each other with incre- 

 dible fury, each being firmly perfuaded that the iffue of 

 the battle would determine their fate. During the 

 greateft part of the day it was not to be difcerned to 

 which fide viftory inclined, the Tepanecas lofmg in one 

 place what they gained in another. But a little before 

 the fetting fun, the Mexican populace obferving the ene- 

 my continually increafed by new reinforcements, began 

 to be difmayed, and to complain of their chiefs, faying to 

 each other, " What are we about, O Mexicans, iliali 

 ^ we do well in facrificing our lives to the ambition of 

 our king and our general ? Flow much more prudent 

 will it be to furrender ourfelves, humbly acknowledg- 

 ing our raflmefs, that we may obtain pardon and the 

 " favour of our lives 



The king, who heard thefe words with much vexation, 

 and perceived his troops ftill more difcouraged by them, 

 called a council of the prince and general, to take their 

 advice what fliould be done to diiiipate the fears of the 

 people. V/hat anfwered Montezuma ^ To %ht 

 " till death. If we die with our arms in our hands, de- 

 " fending our liberty, we will do our duty. If we fur- 

 " vive our defeat, we will remain covered with eternal 

 " confufipn. Let us go then, let us fight till v/e die." 

 The cries of the Mexicans began already to prevail as if 



they 



