[373] ‘Do Muteczuma estaba habia mucho número de leones é tigres é otras fieras, é que cada que Muteczuma quirie las hacie soltar, é bastaban para comernos é despedazarnos.’ Tapia, Rel., in Icazbalceta, Col. Doc., ii. 574; Gomara, Hist. Mex., 92.
[374] Cortés told them to wait, for he would start for Mexico on the following day, and they promised to do so, says Bernal Diaz, Hist. Verdad., 58.
[375] On his entry into the city Cortés also observed suspicious features. ‘Algunas calles de la ciudad tapiadas, y muchas piedras en todas las azoteas.’ Cartas, 72.
[376] ‘Hermano de otro moço que traia la vieja que la acompañaua.’ Bernal Diaz, Hist. Verdad., 59. This is probably the young man who, according to Peter Martyr, reveals the plot to Aguilar. A ‘Cempoal maiden’ was also warned by a Cholultec woman, dec. v. cap. ii.
[377] ‘Dieron al capitan-general vn atambor de oro.’ Gomara, Hist. Mex., 92. This official was the husband of the old woman. Bernal Diaz, Hist. Verdad., 59.
[378] ‘Auian de quedar veinte de nosotros para sacrificar á los idolos de Cholula.’ Bernal Diaz, Hist. Verdad., 59. Others say half the captives.
[379] Marina won them over. Id. ‘Dos que andauan muy solicitos.’ Herrera, dec. ii. lib. vii. cap. i. Brasseur de Bourbourg supposes that the friendly chiefs were those who gave the first intimation of the plot, Hist. Nat. Civ., iv. 174, and it is not unlikely that they did warn the Spaniards.
[380] Oviedo regards the Cholultecs as having rebelled against Montezuma, iii. 498. But they stood rather in the position of allies. See Native Races, v. Bernal Diaz assumes that half the Aztec troops were admitted.
[381] ‘Los Mexicanos ... trataron con los Señores de los Tres Barrios.’ Torquemada, i. 438. Herrera has been even more explicit, and Bernal Diaz confirms this in several places, without specifying the number. ‘Otros barrios, que no se hallaron en las traiciones.’ Hist. Verdad., 60.
[382] Three years old, half males, half females. Herrera, dec. ii. lib. vii. cap. ii. Oviedo supposes the females to be young virgins, iii. 498. Bernal Diaz says five children and two other persons.