Page:The Mastering of Mexico.djvu/154

122 papas have told us what they think of these teules; that they are very valiant we know. Let us seek friendship with them. Whether they be men or teules, let us welcome them. Let us send chiefs to their camp with food for them to eat, and offer them peace so that they may aid us against our enemies."

All the caciques hearing this speech approved it, and at once notified their general to stay hostilities. Xicotenga, however, would not listen. He became very angry and cried out he was not for peace, that already he had killed many of the teules and one of their horses, and he would fall on us the next night and kill us all. But the advice of the wise elders finally prevailed, and after some delay ambassadors, clothed in cloaks half red and half white, came to our camp to negotiate peace.

When they reached the quarters of Cortes they incensed him by burning copal before him and paid him other forms of respect, and they said they wished to be admitted to our friendship and do homage to our king; that they had taken up arms against us because they then believed we had been sent by the treachery of Montezuma, but they now were convinced that in alliance with us they might live in security and peace. Cortes with every friendly expression seated them by his side and told them we should in the future look upon them as vassals of our emperor and as our friends, and that we would visit