322 



HISTORY OF MEXICO. 



journey to Mexico, and from any friendship with the 

 Tlafcalans. Such were the vain efforts of pufillanimity 

 in Montezuma, while the great quantity of gold he daily 

 expended in prefents to thofe ftrangers, was but fomuch 

 more in purchafe of the chains which were foon to fetter 

 his liberty. 



Six days had elapfed llnce the peace made with Tlaf- 

 cala, when the four lords of that republic, in order to in- 

 duce the Spaniards to remove to Tlafcala, made them- 

 felves be tranfported in portable chairs or litters, with a 

 numerous attendance to their camp. The mutual de- 

 monftrations of joy and refpect were extraordinary on both 

 fides. That famous fenate, not contented with ratifying 

 the alliance, of their own accord acknowledged obedience 

 to the Catholic king, which was the more acceptable to 

 the Spaniards, the more the Tlafcalans had prized their 

 liberty, which they had enjoyed from time immemorial. 

 They complained with much {how of affection, of the 

 diffidence of Cortes, and prevailed upon him by their 

 entreaties to refolve upon his departure for Tlafcala the 

 next day. 



There was now a deficiency of fifty-five Spaniards of 

 the number who had enlifted in Cuba, and thofe remain- 

 ing were for the mofl part wounded and difpiriced ; and 

 fuch difcontent and apprehenfions began to feize the 

 foldiers, that they not only fpoke difrefpe&fully of their 

 chief in private, but alfo conjured him to return to Vera 

 Cruz ; but Cortes encouraged them, and by powerful 

 arguments touching their honour, and his own example 

 of fortitude and firmnefs in dangers and fatigue, he re- 

 kindled in them freih zeal for his undertakings. At 

 length they all feemed to conceive hopes of fuccefs, from 



the 



