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94 taken them from prison and would severely reprimand the caciques for seizing them. Moreover, any service he could do them he would gladly undertake, and he would free and protect their comrades; now, however, was the time for them to hasten lest they be retaken and killed. Thankful for their liberty, the prisoners said they feared they might fall into their enemies' hands. Therefore Cortes sent six sailors to take them to a boat and set them on friendly soil beyond the Cempoala territory.

When daylight came and the caciques found two prisoners missing, they were all the more determined to sacrifice the three that remained. This they might have done if Cortes had not feigned anger at the escape of the two, and, ordering a chain brought from the ships, bound the prisoners to it and sent them on board; where he ordered the chain removed.

Caciques of Cempoala, Quiahuitztlan and all the other Totonac chiefs now gathered and told Cortes the dilemma they were in, for Montezuma would soon come down upon them with his vast army and totally destroy their possessions and themselves. Again Cortes replied with cheerful looks that he and his brothers who were here would defend them and any one who dared molest them should forfeit his life. Impressed by this, the caciques, one and all, agreed to stand by us in whatever we ordered them to do, and to join their force to ours against