290 



HISTORY OF MEXICO* 



Having furmounted thefe difficulties, and taken fui ta- 

 ble raeafures for the execution of his great defigns, he 

 began his march with the troops. His intention was not 

 only to recruit the ftrength of his fatigued people, who 

 had fuffered from that unhealthy more, and to feek new 

 alliances, but likewife to chpofe a good fituation for the 

 foundation of the colony, as Chempoalla was upon the 

 way to Chiahuitztla (q), the new harbour difcovered by 

 Montejo. The little army marched with a part of the 

 artillery towards Chempoalla in cautious order, well pre- 

 pared to defend itfelf, if they mould chance to be attack- 

 ed either by the Totonacas, of whofe fincerity they were 

 not perfectly fecure, or by the Mexicans whom they 

 fuppofed they had offended by their refolution ; a cau- 

 tion which no good general ever thought fuperfluous, 

 and which was never neglected by Cortes in times of 

 the greateft profperity, always of ufe to maintain mili- 

 tary difcipline, and in general neceffary for fecurity. 

 The mips proceeded along fliore to the port of Chia- 

 huitztla. 



When they arrived within three miles of Chempo- 

 alla, twenty refpectable Chempoallefe inhabitants came 

 out to meet the army, and prefented to Cortes a refrefli- 

 ment of ananas, and other fruits, in the name of their 

 lord, and made his excufe that he had not come in per- 

 fon to meet him, as he was prevented from doing fo. 

 They entered the city, in the order of battle, being fuf- 

 picious of fome treachery from the inhabitants. A light 

 horfeman having advanced as far as the greater fquare of 

 the city, and feeing a baftion of the palace of that lord, 

 which, on account of its having been freih whitened and 



well 



(q) Solis and Robertfon give to Chiahuitztla the name of ^uiabi/lan, which 

 neither is nor can be Mexican. 



