lahuatzin, lord of Iztapalapan, the emperor's brother, and generalissimo of the army, a man whose hostility to everything Spanish was well known. According to Aztec law he was the most probable successor to the throne, and therefore particularly dangerous.[1]
Cortés was becoming foolhardy. Whether the brothers were in accord upon the measures to be adopted is uncertain; but Cuitlahuatzin, who was not only bold, but ambitious, had evidently determined on his course. If the Mexicans had hoped for better prospects with the arrival of Cortés that hope was now dissipated, and bitter indignation filled their breasts. Cuitlahuatzin was welcomed as a liberator. His constant efforts in the imperial council to oppose the admission of the Spaniards, by force if necessary, and his services for the cause of liberty and religion in connection with the Cacama revolt, were sufficient to endear him to his brother patriots. Strongly urged, he accepted the leadership of the insurgents, a position for which his experience and success as a general had well fitted him. He began by ordering war material and erecting barricades. The value of the Chinantec pikes introduced by Cortés had not been lost on him, and a number were provided, barbed with the vitreous iztli. Arrangements were made with adjoining towns and provinces for a supply of provisions and reinforcements to carry on the holy war.[2]
The Spaniards soon learned what was brewing, and first in this way: Ojeda and Marquez, when out for-
- ↑ Native Races, ii. 134-6; v. 462-4; 'Il y joignait, comme de coutume, la charge du grand prêtre de Huitzilopochtli." Brasseur de Bourbourg, Hist. Nat. Civ., iv. 309. Gomara assumes that Cortés orders a chief to open the market. He, offended at the insults used, goes only to rouse the people. Hist. Mex., 153. Ixtlilxochitl supposes that the chief is offended at the reprimand administered for delaying to open the market. Hist. Chich., 301. 'Mandò Hernando Cortes llamar a los mas principales caualleros, hizoles vna larga platica diziēdo, que les perdonaua lo passado, con que para adelãte fuessen. . . .amigos:. . . .sin responder. . . .se fueron.' Herrera, dec. ii. lib. x. cap. viii.
- ↑ Duran enumerates some of the provinces summoned, as Xilotepec and Matlaltzinco. 'Mandó llamar á. . . .Encantadores y Hechiceros para que los asombrasen y los mostrasen algunas visiones de noche,. . . .para que alli muriesen de espanto.' Hist. Ind., MS., ii. 462-6.
