HISTORY OF MEXICO. 



259 



and there they fixed the day on which they were to de- 

 clare war againfl the Mexicans. A few days after, he 

 fent notice to his allies, to be well prepared to fuccour 

 him whenever he fliould begin the attack. Xiloman 

 lord of Colhuacan, was to make the firfl onfct, and after- 

 wards to pretend flight, to induce the Mexicans to pur- 

 fue him, when the Tlatelolcos were to fall upon their 

 rear. The day after thefe embaffies were fent, Moqui- 

 huix performed the ceremony of arming his troops, and 

 then went to the temple of Huitzilopochtli to implore 

 the aid of that god, where the fame horrible draft was 

 again taken which Pojahuiti had given them at the firfl 

 congrefs, and all the foldiers pafTed before the idol, with 

 a falutation of profound reverence. This ceremony was 

 hardly finiflied when a troop of daring Mexicans entered 

 the market-place, killing every one they met ; but the 

 troops of the Tlatelolcos coming fuddenly up, repulfed 

 them and took fome of them prifoners, who were facri- 

 ficed without refpite, in a temple called Tlillan. That 

 fame day, about fun-fet, fome women of Tlatelolco had 

 the boldnefs to advance into the ftreets of Mexico, and 

 to fet fire to the birch trees at the doors of the houfes, 

 carting at the fame time, impudent reproaches upon the 

 Mexicans, and threatening them with approaching ruin } 

 but they met with the contempt they deferved. 



That night the Tlatelolcos armed themfelves, and in 

 the morning at break of day they began the attack on 

 Mexico. They were in the heat of the battle when 

 Xiloman arrived with the Colhuas ; but perceiving that 

 the king of Tlatelolco had commenced th,e engagement 

 without waiting for his aid or caring for his counfel, that 

 lord retired in difgud ; but defirous of doing fome mif- 

 chief to the Mexicans, he caufed feveral canals to be fliut 



up. 



