Hovv the Vergantines vvere brought frō Tlaxcall to Tezcuco.

TOC

Nowe when the enemies which murdered the Spaniardes, were reduced and chastened, Sandoual procéeded forwarde towarde Tlaxcallan, and at the border of that prouince, he mette with the Vergātines whiche were broughte in pieces, as tables, planches, and nayles, with all other furniture, the whyche eight thousand men caryed vpon their backes.

There came also for their safeconduicte twentie thousande men of warre, and a thousande Tamemez, who were the carriers of victuals, and seruantes. Thē the Spanishe Carpenters sayde vnto Sandoual, that for as muche as they were nowe come into the countrey of enimies, it might please him to haue regarde thervnto, for daungers that myght happen: he allowed wel theyr iudgement.

Nowe Chichimecatetl, being a principal man and a valiant also, was captaine of a thousande men & desired to haue the vantguard with the Tymber, and hauing had the same charge hithervnto, it should be an affrent for him, to be put from it, and gaue manye reasons in hys behalfe. But notwithstanding his request, he was entreated to take the reregarde. And that Tutipil and Teutecatl captaines, very principal gentlemen, should haue the vantgard, with ten thousand men. In the myddest were placed the Tamemez, and those that carryed the foyst, with all the apparell of the Vergantines. Before those two captaynes, went a hundered Spaniardes, and eight horsemen, and behind and last came Sandoual with all the residue, and seuen horsemen. But now although Chichimecatetl was offended, touching his firste charge, now much more bycause the Spaniardes were not in his company, saying (quoth he) ye take me not for valiant, or else not faithful. That matter being pacified, and euery thing in good order, they toke their way towarde Tezcuco, with a marueylous noyse, crying, Christians, Christians, Tlaxcallan, Tlaxcallan, and Spayne.

On the fourth day they entred into Tezcuco, in verye good order, with the sounde of drummes, snayle-shelles, and other like instrumentes of Musicke, and againste their entry into the Citie, they put on al their brauerye of clothes, and bushes of feathers, whiche truely was a gallant sight: they were sixe houres, in entryng into the towne, keping their array.

Cortez came forth to receyue them, and gaue greate thankes vnto the gentlemen, and all the company, and prouided them of good lodgings and entertaynement.