It grieued muche the Embassadours of Mutezuma, to sée Xicotencates in the Spanishe Campe, and the offer made vnto Cortes in the behalfe of his King, of their persons, Cittie and goodes, aduising Cortes to gyue no credite vnto them, for all their saying (quoth they) is treason and lies, and to the entent to locke you vp in their Cittie.
Cortes answered, that although their aduise were true, yet he did determine to go thither, for that he feared them lesse in the towne than in the fielde. They hearyng this answere and determination, besought him to giue vnto one of them licence to returne vnto Mexico, to aduertise Mutezuma of all that was past, with an answere to their Ambassage, promising within sixe dayes to haue newes from Mexico, and till then prayed him not to departe with his Campe.
Cortes graunted their request, and abode there the time appointed, expectyng the answere. In this meane season came many of Tlaxcallan to the camp, some brought Ginnea cockes, other brought bread and Cherries, and gaue it for nothyng in comparison, with merry countenaunce, desiryng them to goe home with them vnto their houses.
A riche present.
The sixth day the Mexican came, accordyng to promise, and brought vnto Cortes tenne Iewelles of Golde, bothe riche and well wrought, and a fiftene thousand garments of Cotten excéeding gallant, and moste earnestly besought hym on the behalfe of Mutezuma, that he shoulde not daunger himselfe in trustyng to the wordes of the Tlaxcaltecas, who were so poore yt with necessitie they would robbe him of the thyngs whiche his mayster had sente him, yea and lykewise murder him, knowyng of the friendshippe betwéene his mayster and him: likewise all the chiefest Lordes of Tlaxcallan, came to intreate hym to goe with them to Tlaxcallan where he shoulde be cherished, lodged, and well prouided. For it was a greate dishonour and shame for them to permitte suche personages to abyde in suche vyle cotages as they were in. And if (quoth they) you truste vs not, that then wée are ready to gyue you for your securitie what soeuer gages you shall demaunde: notwithstandyng they dyd bothe sweare and faithfully promise, that they might safely goe with them, saying also that the Othe and fayth of theyr common weale should neuer be broken for all the goodes in the worlde.
Entraunce into Tlaxcallan.
Wherevpon Cortez seyng the good will of so many Gentlemen his newe friendes, and lykewise the Indians of Zeampoallan, of whome he had good credite, did so importune him and assure him of his goyng, he commaunded his fardage to be laden and also his ordinaunce, and departed towarde Tlaxcallan, whiche was sixe leagues from that place, with as good order as it had bene to a battayle: And at the Tower where he had pitched hys campe, he lefte certayne Crosses for a memorie, with a greate heape of stones, and entred into Tlaxcallan the eightenth of September. There came out such a multitude of people to sée him and to méete him in the way, that it was a wonder to sée.
He was lodged in the greatest temple, which had many great and fayre lodgyngs, sufficient for hym and all his companie, except the Indians hys friends which were lodged in other Temples. He set certayne limittes, out of the whiche he commaunded straightely that none of hys company should passe, vpon payne of deathe, and also commaunded that they shoulde take nothing, but what shoulde be giuen them. His commaundement was well obserued, for none presumed to goe a stoanes cast without his licence. The Indian Gentlemen shewed greate pleasure and curtesie to the strangers, and prouided thē of all things necessarie, and manye of them gaue theyr daughters vnto them, in token of true friendshippe, and likewise to haue fruite of their bodyes, to be brought vp for the warres, beyng such valiant men.