the expiration of the
above-mentioned time six distinguished personages arrived from Mexico
with a rich present from Motecusuma, in value above 3000 pesos,
consisting in gold trinkets of various workmanship, two hundred pieces
of cotton stuffs, interwoven with feathers and other productions of
Mexican art.

When they handed over these presents to Cortes they informed him that
Motecusuma was greatly delighted at the successful state of our affairs.
For the rest he requested us most urgently not to bring any Tlascallans
into his dominions, for whatever purpose it might be, and upon the whole
not to trust them. They were merely watching to rob us of our gold and
other valuables, as they were quite poverty-struck themselves, and
possessed no fine cotton cloaks. This evil design they cherished the
more fervently, as they knew that we were on friendly terms with them,
and had received presents in gold and cotton stuffs. Cortes accepted
these presents with every appearance of delight, and thanked them, with
the assurance that he would render Motecusuma good services in return.
If he should discover that the Tlascallans really bore treachery at
heart they would have to pay very dearly for it. He, however, trusted
that such thoughts were remote from their minds, and he would now repair
thither in person to see how much truth there was in their statement.

In the midst of this discourse several messengers arrived from
Tlascalla, bringing Cortes information that all the old caziques of the
country were on their road to pay us a visit, and conduct us into their
city. On learning this, Cortes requested the Mexican ambassadors to stay
with us three days before they departed again to their monarch with his
answer; for that, at present, he was about to grant terms of peace to
the Tlascallan chiefs.

[28] These figs, Bernal Diaz calls Tuna, which is the Cactus Tuna of
Linnaeus. (p. 173.)

CHAPTER LXXIV.

_How the old caziques of Tlascalla arrived in our camp and invited
Cortes, and all of us to visit their city, and what further
happened._

The old caziques of Tlascalla finding that we did not arrive in their
city, determined to call upon us themselves, and set out, some on foot
and some in sedans and a species of hand-barrow. Besides those I
mentioned above, (Maxixcatzin and the blind Xicotencatl, the elder,)
there were Guaxolacima, Chichimeclatecl, and Tecapaneca of Topoyanco.
Their suite was composed of s