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274 us to look upon the scene again, and vowed we would act more prudently in this campaign.

The people of Texcoco were not now on the best of terms with the Mexicans, and, moreover, smallpox was raging throughout the whole district, and in these reasons, perhaps, lay the fact that on the following day, as we neared Texcoco our scouts brought the glad tidings that ten unarmed Indians were approaching, bearing a golden banner. Upon coming to us they lowered the banner in token of peace, and when they neared Cortes, who had our two interpreters. Donna Marina and Aguilar, standing by him, they said, "Malinche, our master, the cacique of Texcoco sends us to beg you to take him into your friendship. He awaits you in the city, and as signal of peace sends you this banner, and asks you to order your brothers and the Tlaxcalans not to harm his land and in his city to be his guests."

Cortes was overjoyed at the message, and embraced the ambassadors warmly. Nevertheless, in counselling with his officers, who also were of his opinion, he could not but suspect the Indians were playing some trick—for if the Texcocans had been honestly inclined they would have not acted in so great a hurry, and would have brought food. However, he accepted the golden banner with thanks, and assured the bearers that he was not in the habit of ill-treating any vassal of our king, and if they kept