246 HISTORY OF MEXICO. 



who eftablillied a garrifon there, to keep that people in 

 obedience to the crown. This great victory was princi- 

 pally owing to the bravery of Moquihuix ; and even until 

 our day, a Mexican fong or ode has been preferved, 

 which was at that time compofed in his praife Mon- 

 tezuma more pleafed with the happy fortune of the war, 

 than offended at the difobedience to his orders, rewarded 

 the king of Tlatelolco by giving him one of his coufms to 

 wife, who was the fifler of the above mentioned princes, 

 Axayacatl, Tizoc, and Ahuitzotl. 



In the mean while the Chalchefe were daily rendering 

 themfelves more deferving of chafliifement, not folely by 

 rebellion, but alfo by the commifTion of other new offen- 

 ces. At this time they had the audacity to take the 

 brother of the king Montezuma himfelf, who was, ac- 

 cording to what we can learn, lord of Ehecatepec, with 

 fome other Mexicans, prifoners. A crime of this nature 

 committed on a perfon fo nearly related in blood to their 

 fovereign, appears to have been a meafure contrived by 

 them to get rid of the power of the Mexicans, and make 

 the city of Chalco the rival of Mexico ; as they were de- 

 firous of making that lord, king of Chalco ; and fre- 

 quently, though in vain, propofed it to him. He per- 

 ceiving them fixed in their refolution, told them he 

 would accept the crown they offered ; but, that the aft 

 of his exaltation might be the more folemn, he defired 

 they would plant in the market-place, one of the highefl 

 trees, and place a fcaffold upon it, from which he might 

 be viewed by all. Every thing was done as he requefled : 

 having affembled the Mexicans around the tree, he af- 

 cended the fcaffold with a bunch of flowers in his hand ; 



then 



{e) Boturini makes mention of this ode, which he had, among other ma- 

 nufcripts and paintings, in his very valuable mufeum. 



