332 



HISTORY Ot MEXICO. 



the orders which feemed to him mod fuited to his pur- 

 pofe, protefting that they could never be fecure in Mex- 

 ico unlefs they punifhed that deceitful city with feverity. 

 He ordered the auxiliary troops of Tlafcala to ftorm the 

 city at fun-rife the next day, and to cut off every citizen 

 without pardon to any one except women and children. 

 The day at length arrived, which wreaked difafter on 

 Cholula. The Spaniards prepared their horfes, their 

 artillery, their arms, and formed themfelves in order, in 

 a fquare of their dwelling, which was defigned for the 

 principal theatre of the approaching tragedy. The Cho- 

 lulans repaired thirher at break of day. The chiefs, 

 with about forty nobles, and the baggage men entered 

 into the halls and chambers to lift up the equipage, 

 when fuddenly guards were placed to prevent their ef- 

 cape. The Cholulan troops, or at lead great part of 

 them, entered into the fquare along with the principal 

 lord of that city, at the requeft, it is probable, of Cortes 

 himfelf, who, mounting on horfeback, fpoke to them in 

 this manner : " Cholulans, I have endeavoured to make 

 " you my friends ; I have entered peaceably into your 

 U city, and here you have received no wrong from me, 

 " nor any of my friends ; but, on the contrary, that you 

 " might have no fubject of complain r, I confented that 

 " the auxiliary troops of the Tlalcalans fhould not be 

 " admitted here : belldes, I have requefted you to fay 

 " freely, if we had done you any injury, that you might 

 " have fatisfa&ion ; but you have, with deteftable per- 

 " fidy, under the appearance of friendftiip, laid a fcheme 

 cc to betray me, and deftroy me and my people. I know 

 " the whole depth of your bloody defigns." Then call- 

 ing afide four or five Cholulans, he afked them what 

 had induced them to refolve on fo execrable an attempt ? 



Thej 



