The Rebellion of Mexico against Cortes.

TOC

After that Cortes had obteyned victorye against Naruaez, he knew very well the most part of his company, vnto whome he spake curteously, praying them to forget the things past, and so would hée also. And also likewise, that it mighte please them to goe with him to Mexico, whiche was the richest Citie of all that India. He also restored to euerye man his armour and weapons, whiche were taken from them in their ouerthrowe. Hée also left very few of them prisoners with Naruaez. The Horsemen tooke the fielde with stomacke to fight, but after they had hearde of hys offer, they submitted themselues. In conclusion, all those that were come, hoping of spoyle, were glad to accepte his offer, and to goe with him with faithfull promise truly to serue him.

He renued his power in Vera Crux, and brought thyther the nauie of Naruaez. He also dispatched two hundred Spanyardes to the riuer of Garay, and sent also Iohn Velasques de Leon with other two hundred men. To inhabite of Coazacoalco. He dispatched also a Spanyarde by post to Mexico, with newes of the victory, and hée himselfe followed towarde Mexico, with the great care that he had of those whome he had lefte there in guard of Mutezuma and the Citie.

The Post that wente on this iourney, in steade of thankes, was sore wounded by the Indian Rebelles, but although he was so hurte, yet he returned to Cortes, wyth newes that Mexico was reuolted, and that they had burned the foure Foystes, also assieged the Spanish house, and throwen downe a wall, and myned another, yea and set fire vpon the munition, taken away their vittayles, and had broughte them to suche extremitie, to be eyther slayne, or remayne prisoners, sauing that Mutezuma commaunded to ceasse the combate, yea and for all that they woulde not leaue their armoure, nor departe from the siege, only they somewhat amayned their furie for theyr princes sake.

These newes were sorrowfull to Cortes, for thereby his pleasure was turned into care, the rather to make hast to succoure his friendes and fellowes, for if he hadde delayed hys comming but a small whyle, he had founde them eyther slayne, or else their bodyes ready to sacrifice: but his greatest comforte was, that Mutezuma remayned styll prisoner. He mustered his men in Tlaxcallan, and founde of his Spanishe nation a thousand footemen, and néere a hundred Horsemen. He procéeded forwardes towarde Tezcuco, where he founde none of the Gentlemen of his acquaintance, nor yet he there was receyued, as in time past he had bin, but rather he found a great alteration in the Coūtrey, and also many townes without people, or else rebelled. In Tezcuco met with him a Spanyarde, whome Aluarado had sente to desire him to come vnto them, and to certifie hym of all the premisses, saying moreouer, that with his comming their furye woulde be pacifyed.

With this messenger came another from Mutezuma, who declared vnto Cortes, that hys Lorde was innocent of all that was done, praying hym, that if he had conceiued any euill opinion agaynste hym, to putte away the same agayne, and that it mighte please hym to goe directly to hys own house, where hée abode hys comming, wyth the Spanishe guarde that he hadde lefte with him, who were aliue and in good healthe as he hadde lefte them.

With thys message, Cortes and hys companye reposed all that nyghte, and the nexte daye, béeyng Midsommer daye, he entred into Mexico at dynner tyme, with hys hundred Horsemen, and the thousande footemen, with a greate companye of theyr friendes of Tlaxcallan, Huexocinco, and Chololla, but he saw but few folke in the stréetes, and small entertaynement, with manye bridges broken, and other euill tokens.

He came to hys lodgyng, and all those of his companye whyche coulde not well bée lodged there, hée sente them to the greate Temple. Mutezuma came forth into the yarde to receyue hym, full heauie and sorrowfull, as it séemed, of that offence whiche his subiectes had done, excusing hymselfe: and then euery one entred into hys lodgyng and Chamber: but the ioy and pleasure of Pedro de Aluarado was incomparable, saluting the one the other, with demaundes and questions howe they fared, yea and how much the one company declared of prosperitie and pleasure, the other againe replyed as muche of sorrow and trouble.