CHAPTER LXXXIV.

_The negotiations we set on foot with the great Motecusuma, and the

ambassadors we sent him._

We had now lain a fortnight in Cholulla, and any further stay there

would have been waste of time. All the inhabitants had returned to their

dwellings, and the markets were again filled with goods and merchants;

peace had been concluded between them and their neighbours the

Tlascallans; a cross erected, and much of our holy faith explained to

the inhabitants. Besides this, we discovered that Motecusuma had sent

spies into our quarters to gain intelligence as to our future plans, and

whether we really intended marching to his metropolis. His two

ambassadors, who were still with us, also forwarded him due information,

from time to time, of all that was going on.

Our captain now called a council of war of those officers and soldiers

in whom he could place implicit confidence, and of whose wisdom and

courage he entertained the highest respect. In this council it was

resolved we should despatch a most friendly and flattering message to

Motecusuma, as near as possible to the following effect: "We had now, in

compliance with the commands of our sovereign, journeyed over many seas,

and through far distant countries, solely for the object of paying our

personal respects to him, the monarch of Mexico, and of disclosing

things to him which would prove of the greatest advantage to him. We

chose the road over Cholulla because his ambassadors had proposed that

route, and had assured us that the inhabitants were his subjects. We met

with the best of receptions, and were well treated during the first two

days of our stay there, when we discovered that a vile conspiracy had

been set on foot to destroy us all; which, however, could not prove

otherwise than a failure, as we were endowed with the faculty of knowing

things beforehand, and it was utterly impossible to do anything without

our knowledge: we had, therefore, punished a number of those who had

concocted that treacherous movement, but we had, at the same time,

abstained from punishing all those who had taken part in it, in

consideration that the Cholullans were his subjects, and from the deep

veneration we entertained for his person, and the great friendship we

bore him. It was, however, to be regretted that the caziques and papas

should have unanimously declared that all had been done at his commands,

and planned by his own ambassadors. Of this, however, we had not

believed a single word, as it seemed impossible to us that so great a

monarch, who always styled himself our friend, could have consented

thereto. On the contrary, we expected from him that, in case his gods

had whispered to him to treat us hostilely, he would have attacked us in

the open field, although it was all the same to us whether we were to

fight about in a town or in the open field, or during night or daytime,

as we easily overthrew those who ventured to attack us. As we were fully

convinced of his friendship, and were very desirous to make his personal

acquaintance, and to discourse with him, we intended marching to Mexico

to lay our monarch's commission before him."

When Motecusuma received this message, and found that we in no way

considered him implicated in the occurrence which had taken place at

Cholulla, he again, as we were told, began to fast with his papas, and

to sacrifice to his gods, of whom he wished to know whether he was to

admit us into his metropolis or not. They pronounced in the affirmative,

as, when we were once there, he would be able to slay us at his

pleasure. His chief officers and papas were of the same opinion, and

thought that, if he did not admit us into the city, we might commence

hostilities against his subjects, and call in the assistance of the

Tlascallans, the Totonaque, and other tribes who were at enmity with the

Mexicans, and in alliance with us. To obviate all this, the surest way

would be to follow the wise counsel which Huitzilopochtli had given.

The day had now arrived which had been fixed for our departure, and,

just as we were about to break up our quarters, other ambassadors

arrived, with presents from Motecusuma.