HISTORY OF MEXICO. 



171 



of their enemies for facrifices ; nor was the bravery of a 

 foldier eftimated by the number of dead bodies which he 

 left on the field, but by the number of prifoners which 

 he prefenied to the general after the battle, and this was 

 unquestionably the principal caufe of the prefervation of 

 the Spaniards, in the midit of the dangers to which they 

 were expofed, and particularly on that memorable night 

 when they were defeated, and obliged to retreat from 

 the capital. When an enemy, whom they had once 

 conquered, attempted to fave himfelf by flight, they 

 hamflrung him to prevent his efcape. When the ftand- 

 ard of the army was taken by the enemy, or their general 

 fell, they all fled, nor was it poflible then by any human 

 art to rally or recall them. 



When the battle was over, the victors celebrated the 

 victory with great rejoicings, and rewarded the officers 

 and foldiers who had made fome prifoners. When the 

 king of Mexico in perfon, took an enemy prifoner, em- 

 baflies came from all the provinces of the kingdom to 

 congratulate him upon the occafion, and to offer him 

 fome prefent. This prifoner was clothed with the fined 

 habits, adorned with jewels, and carried in a litter to the 

 capital, where the citizens came out to meet him, with 

 mufic and loud acclamations. When the day of the 

 facrifice arrived, the king having fafted the day before, 

 according to the cuflom of owners of prifoners, they 

 carried the royal prifoner, adorned with the enfigns of 

 the fun, to the altar for common facrifices, where he was 

 facrificed by the high-prieft. The prieft fprinkled his 

 blood towards the four principal winds, and fent a veflel 

 full of the fame to the king, who ordered it to be fprin- 

 kled on all the idols within the inclofure of the greater 

 temple, as a token of thanks for the victory obtained 



over 



