330 



HISTORY OF MEXICO. 



greater temple, ere&ed upon an artificial mountain, 

 which is ftill exifting, drew innumerable pilgrims, not 

 only from the neighbouring cities, but likewife from the 

 mod diftant provinces, to perform their devotions at that 

 imagined holy fpot. 



Cortes was lodged, with all his troops, in fome large 

 buildings, where, during the two firft days, they were 

 abundantly fupplied with provifions ; but very foon they 

 began to grow fcanty, until at laft there was nothing fur- 

 nifhed by the city but wood and water. This was not 

 the only proof of their fecret machinations and inten- 

 tions ; for every moment they difcovered new indications 

 of the treachery which they meditated. The Chempo- 

 allefe allies obferved, that they had made holes and dug 

 pits in the ftreets of the city, in which they had fixed 

 fharp ftakes, and covered them with earth, which it ap- 

 peared was done for no other purpofe than to wound and 

 difable the horfes. Eight men, who came from the 

 camp of the Tlafcalans, apprifed them that they had feen 

 crowds of women and children coming out of the city ; 

 a certain fign among thofe nations of fome impending 

 commotion. Befides, it was found out, that in fome of 

 the ftreets they had formed entrenchments, and collected 

 great heaps offtones upon the tops of the houfes. Laft- 

 ly, a Cholulan woman of rank, who had become ena- 

 moured of the beauty, the fpirit, and difcretion of Ma- 

 rina, intreated her to fave herfelf in her houfe from the 

 danger which threatened the Spaniards; upon which 

 Marina took occafion to inform herfelf of the whole plan 

 of the confpiracy, and immediately told Cortes of it. 

 He heard from the month oF the fame perfon, that the 

 Cholulans, with the affiftance of twenty thoufand Mexi- 

 cans 



