306 HISTORY OF MEXICO. 



her mother's apartment to that of the major-domo of the 

 deceafed princefs, which was on the other fide of the 

 garden ; and in paffing faw the princefs fitting upon the 

 fteps of the fountain, and heard herfelf called by her by 

 the word Cocoton (z), which is a word of tendcrnefs ufed 

 to children. The little child not being capable, on ac- 

 count of its age, of reflefling on che death of the princefs, 

 and thinking that flie was going to bathe as ufual, ap- 

 proached without fear, upon which fhe fent the child to 

 call the wife of her major-domo ; the child went to call 

 her, but the woman fmiling and careffing her, told her. 

 My little girl, Papantzin is dead, and was buried yef- 

 " terday but as the child infilled, and pulled her by 

 her gown, flie, more to pleafe, than from belief of what 

 was told her, followed her ; but was hardly come in fight 

 of the princefs, when Ihe was feized with fuch horror 

 that file fell fainting to the earth. The little girl ran to 

 acquaint her mother, who, with two other companions 

 came out to give afTiftance ; but on feeing the princefs 

 they were fo alfe^led with fear, that they would have 

 fwooned away if the princefs herfelf had not endeavour- 

 ed to comfort them, affuring them fhe was ftill alive. She 

 made them call her major-domo, and charged him to go 

 and bear the news to the king her brother ; but he durft 

 not undertake it, as he dreaded that the king would con- 

 fider the account as a fable, and would puniili him with 

 his ufual feverity for being a liar, without examining in- 

 to the matter. Go then to Tezcuco, faid the princefs, 

 and intreat the king Nczahualpilli, in my name, to come 

 here and fee me. The major-domo obeyed, and the king 

 having received the information, fet out immediately for 

 Tlatelolco. "When he arrived there, the princefs was in 



a chamber 



(/) Cocoton means little girl, only that it is an exprefilon of more tenderneft. 



