[383] Most authors, following Gomara and Herrera, assume that only carriers were asked for, but Diaz writes warriors, and correctly, no doubt, since it could not be Cortés’ plan or desire to wreak vengeance on helpless carriers, but rather on the very men who proposed to attack him. According to Tapia, followed by Gomara, Cortés upbraids the lords for lying and plotting, but they assure him of their loyalty. Rel., in Icazbalceta, Col. Doc., ii. 575. It is not likely that he would have roused suspicion by such language.
[384] ‘Aguilar que los oya hablar.’ Oviedo, iii. 498.
[385] Picked warriors were brought, pretending to be slaves and carriers. Tapia, Rel., in Icazbalceta, Col. Doc., ii. 575. ‘Cõ hamacas para lleuar los Españoles.’ Gomara, Hist. Mex., 93.
[386] According to Bernal Diaz the envoys are told of this on the preceding evening, and are thereupon placed under guard. Hist. Verdad., 59.
[387] Tapia states that most of the lords and chiefs whom Cortés addressed were killed. Rel., in Icazbalceta, Col. Doc., ii. 575. ‘Some of them,’ say Ixtlilxochitl and Gomara, while Clavigero, Brasseur de Bourbourg, and others suppose that all these leaders were pardoned, which is not likely, since so many less guilty men fell. ‘El que solia mãdar, fue vno de los que murieron en el patio.’ Bernal Diaz, Hist. Verdad., 60. He intimates that the real carriers were allowed to leave the court, the warriors alone being detained for slaughter. The two friendly priests were sent home to be out of harm’s way. This leads to the supposition that all the rest of the leading men fell. ‘Los otros señores naturales todos murieron.’ Oviedo, iii. 499.
[388] Wearing crowns of rushes to be distinguished from their enemies. Camargo, Hist. Tlax., 164.
[389] Zamacois enters into an elaborate argument to disprove the unimportant statement that burning arrows were showered on the besiegers. Hist. Méj., ii. 707. This author has a decided faculty for singling out trifles, apparently under the impression that important questions can take care of themselves.
[390] Camargo, Hist. Tlax., 163-4; Torquemada, i. 440. ‘Se dejaron allí quemar.’ Tapia, Rel., in Icazbalceta, Col. Doc., ii. 576.
[391] Cortés, Cartas, 73-4; Gomara, Hist. Mex., 94; 6000 and more within two hours. Ixtlilxochitl, Hist. Chich., 294. Las Casas lets him first kill 6000 unarmed carriers and then proceed to devastate the city. Regio. Ind. Devastat., 27.
[392] ‘Eché toda la gente fuera de la ciudad por muchas partes della.’ Cortés, Cartas, 74. The statement of Bernal Diaz that the friendly priests were sent home, to be out of harm’s way, shows also that parts of the city were respected. See notes 17 and 23. ‘El marques mandaba que se guardasen de no matar mujeres ni niños.’ Tapia, Rel., in Icazbalceta, Col. Doc., ii. 576.