HISTORY OF MEXICO. 



327 



the Tlafcalans behind while the Mexicans were upon 

 their front, made a great flaughter of them. The ha- 

 tred which this deteftable treachery had raifed in the 

 breads of the Tlafcalans made them anxious for an op- 

 portunity of revenge, and no time had appeared more 

 favourable than now, when they were become confede- 

 rated with the Spaniards. In order to infpire Cortes 

 with dillike to them, and induce him to make war upon 

 that ftate, they acquainted him with its conduct towards 

 him; that they had not fent any meffengers with com- 

 pliments to him, whereas the Huexotzincas had done fo, 

 although their ftate was at a much greater diftance. 

 They informed him alfo of the meffage which they faid 

 they had received from the Cholulans, reproaching them 

 for their alliance with the Spaniards; calling them bafe 

 and cowardly, and threatening them, that if they mould 

 attempt any thing againft their facred city they mould 

 all perifli by being drowned ; for among their other er- 

 rors, they were perfuaded, that whenever they chofe 

 they could, by railing the walls of the fan&uary of Quet- 

 zalcoatl, make fuch large rivers fpring from thence, as 

 would in a moment overflow the city ; and although the 

 Tlafcalans dreaded fuch a cataftrophe, the defire of re- 

 venge overcame their fears. 



Cortes, moved by thefe fuggeftions, fent four noble 

 Tlafcalans to Cholula, to know why they had not paid 

 the fame regard which was (hewn to him by the Huexot- 

 zincas. The Cholulans laid their excufe on the enmity 

 of the Tlafcalans, in whom they never could repofe any 

 confidence (r). This anfwer was brought by four com- 

 mon 



(c) Torquemada adds, that the Cholulans retained the principal meffenger 

 ef the Tlafcalans, and with favage cruelty flayed his face and arms, and cut off 



his 



