HISTORY OF MEXICO. 



265 



that ftate had procured intelligence of the marks of Neza- 

 hualpilii's perfon, that he might diredl all his blows againft 

 him, and had promifed rewards to any perfon who (hould 

 produce the king to him alive, or .dead. There were 

 not wanting others, who intimated all this to the king ; 

 upon which, before he entered into battle he changed 

 garments with one of his captains. This unfortunate 

 officer, being taken for the king, was quickly fet upon 

 by the multitude, and killed. As the enemy were giving 

 vent to their fury on him, Nezahualpilli made his attack 

 on the Huexotzincan general, and killed him, though 

 not without the greatefl rillc of being cut to pieces by the 

 foldiers who £ew to the defence of their general. The 

 Tezcucan people, who fell into the fame miftake with 

 thofe of Huexotzinco, by not knowing the exchange of 

 drefs which had been made, began to be difpirited ; but 

 fuddenly again recognizing the king, they ran up ea- 

 gerly to refcue him j and after defeating the enemy, 

 they facked the city of Huexotzinco, and returned tri- 

 umphant with fpoils to Tezcuco. Hiflorians are filent 

 refpe^ling the fate of the princes who were the authors 

 of this confpiracy. It is probable they were either flain 

 in the battle, or efcaped by flight from the chaftifernxnt 

 they deferved. Nezahualpilli, who, a. Httle before had 

 built himfelf a new palace, defirous of leaving a perpe- 

 tual monument of this victory, ordered likewife the con- 

 ftruftion of a wall, which fliould inclofe exactly fo much 

 fpace of ground as was occupied by the Huexotzincas 

 when they came up to the defence of their general, and 

 gave the place the name of that day on which he had ob- 

 tained the victory. Thus did thofe, w^ho are thought 

 by many to have no views of futurity, feek to immorta- 

 lize their name and the glory of their a^lions, 

 Vol. I. L 1 The 



