Their Zeal in this their Idol-Worship may appear from a strange Custom, observ’d by them when they enter their Temple, viz. they either draw Blood out of their Tongues, Lips, Ears, Breast, Knees, or Palm of their Hands, which they throw into the Air, supposing thereby to be pardon’d by their indulgent Gods.
Zempoal, a City.
In the City Zempoal, Cortez found five Slaves, who being kept close Prisoners, were to be Sacrific’d the next day; but he releasing them, did upon the importunate request of the Quines, or Priests, and promises of great ransoms, and their telling of him that the Zemez would spoil all their Seed and Plants that year, if they did not go on with these Offerings, restor’d the Prisoners again; who, though the enjoyments of all happinesses in the other World were promis’d them by their Priest, and great assurance given thereof; yet they were not forward, but return’d, unwilling to suffer, though by so gainful a Sacrifice.
Zemez wonderful Idols.
At the Zemez Feet hung abundance of Mens Bones bundled up together, and under them were Written the Names of their Enemies, whose Flesh had been either Sacrific’d or eaten.
Cortez his Exploits.
Twelve Leagues beyond Zempoal, Cortez built a new City near the River Grisalva, and call’d it Vera Crux, which Diego Velasques resented so ill, it being done without his knowledge, that he petition’d the Council of Cuba to give Sentence of Death against the Founder: But whilst Cortez expected an answer from the Embassadors (which were sent to the Spanish Court to give account of the necessity of building a City there) he travell’d eighty Leagues Westerly. The Zempoalensers accompanied him in great Troops, hoping by that means to shake off the yoke of the mighty King Montezuma, against whom they were then design’d. Cortez coming into the Territory of Sincuchimalar, was in the Name of Montezuma, by one of his Princes, courteously entertain’d in a great Village, scituate on a steep Mountain, without any Path or Way leading to it, but by two high Ladders. Sincuchimalar lies surrounded with Hills, whose tops seem to touch the Clouds. Coming down from the Village, they travell’d through a barren and cold Valley, where they suffer’d such great Inconveniences by want of Provisions and Water, and exceeding coldness of the Weather, that many of them perish’d. After that, they ascended a pleasant Hill, on whose summit stood a Chappel, with a handsom Steeple, and hedg’d about with great heaps of Wood, brought thither by the Inhabitants for the use of their Sacrifices. At the foot of this Mountain was a fruitful Valley water’d by a pleasant River, on whose Banks a certain Prince nam’d Cacataminus had a Palace, built of Stone, and containing many Rooms, and convenient Lodgings. Somewhat higher to the Land, appear’d more of the like Structures, which were all under Montezuma’s Jurisdiction; but the neighboring Countrey Tlaxcalla, whose Inhabitants were famous for their Valor, would never receive any Laws from Montezuma.
Remarkable War in Tlaxcalla.
Cortez no sooner set footing in this Countrey, but he was set upon by a thousand of the Inhabitants, who at the first Assault kill’d two of the Spanish Horse, yet after this bold Charge, the Assailants fled, and on the next day desir’d Peace; whereupon the Spaniards march’d quietly into the Countrey, when a confus’d Company, or Forlorn-Hope, making a horrible Noise, set upon them; but after a slight Skirmish, they fled to their Main Body, which immediately drawing up, being at least a hundred thousand, hemm’d in the handful of Spaniards, and so were ready to swallow them, leaving them no Angle to escape at. Thus invironed, they were assailed on every side, fighting till Sun-set, and had undoubtedly been utterly destroy’d, had not Cortez ply’d his six Pieces of Cannon, discharging continually Volley after Volley upon them; and though the Execution was very much, yet the Sound and report of their Ordinance was more terrible to them that were out of the reach of the Bullet, and made more to the gaining so great a Victory, Fear conquering more than Slaughter; so that by the Evening, despairing either of their Safety or better Fortune, the whole Army disbanding fled: But the pursuing Conquerors firing five of their Villages, remain’d Masters of the Field; yet they, though thus totally routed, taking fresh Courage (a wonderful thing!) reinforc’d them, and set upon the Spanish Camp, with no less than 150000 Fighting Men: Yet notwithstanding so vast an Army, Cortez so well order’d his small parcel of Men, and so valiantly led on upon all Advantages, that he in like manner defeated this, as they thought, Invincible Preparation. Thus flesh’d with so much Blood of the Natives, he raged every where, giving no Quarter where-ever he went.
Mean while Quesitangal, a neighboring Prince, having also raised an Army with which he design’d, being assisted by darkness, craftily to fall into the Spanish Quarters by Night, subtilly dissembling, sent Embassadors the day before, with several Presents, and Overtures of Peace, which indeed were onely Spies, to take notice where they might best break in upon them; which Cortez mistrusting, and soon being inform’d of the whole Design, he cut off the Spies Hands, so sending them back to Quesitangal with Defiance: Hereupon the Indians immediately setting forward, took advantage of the ensuing Night, and with great fury fell upon the Spaniards, who preacquainted with the Design, were in so good a posture to receive them, that not able to endure such hot Service, they quickly retreated, and utterly gave over the Enterprize: But Cortez as much encourag’d by these Victories, pursu’d them, and the same Night Storm’d Tlaxcalla, a City containing above twenty thousand Houses, which in few Hours he carried. This City was curiously built, of bak’d Stones, and a place of great Trade; insomuch that the Market-places swarm’d with Buyers and Sellers, bartering one with another all manner of Provisions, as Fish, Flesh, and Bread, also Plumes of Feathers, Pearls, imbroyder’d Tapestry, Chalk, Stones, Timber, and Herbs.