Qualpopoca hearing this newes, came with a mightie power to driue them out of his Countrey, and in that encounter, seauen Spanyardes were slayne, and many Zempoallanezes, but at the ende he was ouercome, his Countrey spoyled, and Towne sacked, and many of his army slaine and taken captiues. The prisoners declared, that by the commaundement of the greate Lorde Mutezuma, all this vprore was attempted by Qualpopoca: it mighte well be, for at the houre of death they confessed the same. But some affirme, they sayde so, but to excuse themselues, and to lay the fault to the Mexicans. Hircio wrote these newes to Cortez béeyng in Chololla, and through these letters Cortez apprehended Mutezuma (as is afore declared.)
Hovv Cortez put a payre of giues on Mutezuma his legges.
Before the execution of Qualpopoca and hys fellowes, Cortes declared vnto Mutezuma, that Qualpopoca and his company had confessed, that by hys aduice and commaundemente, the nine Spanyardes were slayne, wherein he had done very euill, they being his friendes and guestes: but (quoth he) if it were not in respect of the loue I beare vnto you, this matter shoulde not in this sort be shut vp, and then knocked a payre of giues on his legges, saying, he that killeth ought to be killed, according to the lawes of God. These things did Cortes, bycause he shoulde occupye himselfe in his owne griefe and sorrow, and to let other mens passe.
Mutezuma waxed pale wt countenāce of death, through the great feare that he was in, séeyng himselfe in Irons, a new and strange thing for suche a great King, excusing himselfe that he was innocent of the facte. And as soone as the execution of burning was done, Cortez commaunded to put away the Irons that Mutezuma ware, offering him libertie, and willing him to goe vnto his owne pallace, who reioyced much to sée himselfe out of the Irons, and gaue Cortes most hartie thankes, and refused to goe home to his owne pallace, surmising that the offer was but wordes, or else fearing least his subiects woulde kyll him, séeing him out of the Spanyardes power, for permitting himselfe to be taken prisoner, and so to be kept. Hée sayd also, that if he went from them, his subiectes woulde rebell, and compell him to kill the Spanyardes.
Truly the poore simple soule was of small hearte and courage, to suffer himselfe to be taken prisoner, and after his imprisonment woulde neuer procure libertie, Cortes offering it vnto him, and many of his noble men desiring him. And remayning in that order, there was none in Mexico durst offende any Spanyard for feare of displeasing him, for Qualpopoca came 70. leagues with only warning him that the great Lorde had sent for him, shewing hym the figure of his seale: yea and al the péeres of his realme that dwelte farthest off, were ready to obey hys commaundementes.
Hovv Cortez sent to seeke for Mines of golde into diuers places.
