HISTORY OF MEXICO. 441 



©f many to the Catholic king. Befides Quauhquechollan, 

 Itzocan, and Ocopetlaj ocean, a large city at a little dis- 

 tance from the two firft, fome lords came to pay homage 

 to the crown of Caftile, from eight places of Coaixtla- 

 huacan, a part of the great province of Mixtecapan, 

 more than a hundred and twenty miles diftant towards 

 the fouth from the city of Quauhquechollan, courting 

 with emulation the alliance and friendfhip of fuch brave 

 ftrangers. 



Cortes, having returned to Tepejacac, made war, by 

 means of his captains, on fome cities who had fhewn 

 hoftilities to the Spaniards. The inhabitants of Xalat- 

 zinco, a city at a little diftance from the road of Vera 

 Cruz, were conquered by the brave Sandoval, and the 

 principal perfons carried prifoners to Cortes, who, upon 

 feeing them humble and penitent, fet them at liberty 

 again. Thofe of Tecamachalco^ a city of coniiderable 

 fize, of the Popolocan nation, made a flout refinance ; 

 but at laft they furrendered, and two thoufand of them 

 were made flaves. Againft Tochtepec, a large city up- 

 on the river Papaloapan, where there was a Mexican 

 garrifon, he fent a captain, named Salcedo, with eighty 

 Spaniards, of whom not one returned alive to bring the 

 general the news of their defeat. This lofs was fenftbly 

 felt by Cortes, and On account of the few Spaniards he 

 then had, was a very heavy one ; but, in order to re- 

 venge it, he fent two brave captains, Ordaz and Avila, 

 with fome horfes and two thoufand allies againft the gar- 

 rifon, who, notwithstanding the great courage with 

 which the Mexicans defended themfelves, took the city, 

 and killed a number of the enemy. 



The lofs of thofe eighty foldiers was not the only thing 

 which diftreffed Cortes. Thofe who a little time before 

 had conjured him to return to Vera Cruz, perfifted now 



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