, they thus addressed
Cortes: "Then you rather put your trust in what the Mexicans say, than
in us who are your friends? We have often impressed on your mind how
particularly you should be upon your guard with the people of Cholulla,
and against the power of Mexico in general; however, in order that you
may have assistance in case of need, we have armed 10,000 of our
warriors to accompany you."

Cortes expressed his thanks to these excellent men for their good
wishes, and deliberated with us as to the policy of entering with such a
large army into a country whose friendship we were desirous of gaining.
After mature consideration, we came to the conclusion that 2000 men
would be a sufficient number to join us, and Cortes accordingly begged
our friends for so many, and the rest were thus forced to remain at
home.

[32] Bernal Diaz writes, incorrectly, Macegales. By this word the
Mexicans denoted the country people, who formed the great mass of the
population, who also tilled the ground, and paid to the landowners a
third part of the produce. Landed proprietors in Greece, at the present
day, are not so generous, for they take two thirds of the produce and
allow the tenant only one. (p. 192.)

CHAPTER LXXXII.

_How we arrived in the town of Cholulla, and the brilliant reception
we met with._

Early one morning we broke up our quarters, and left for the town of
Cholulla. We marched onward in the best order possible; for, as I have
before remarked, we were always doubly on our guard wherever we
suspected hostilities. The first day's march brought us to a river which
flows about four miles this side of Cholulla, and we took up our night's
quarters at a spot where now a stone bridge is built across the river.
Here, huts and messrooms had been erected for our accommodation.

This same night ambassadors arrived from the caziques of Cholulla, all
personages of the first rank, to bid us welcome in their territory. They
brought us provisions, consisting of fowls and maise-bread, and
announced to us that all the caziques and papas would call to give us a
friendly reception, and begged we would excuse them for not having come
out immediately. Cortes returned them thanks through Dona Marina and
Aguilar for the provisions and their kind intentions; we then laid
ourselves down to rest, after we had posted the necessary sentinels and
ordered the patrols.

With break of day we put ourselves in motion, and marched d