In the City _Zempoal_, _Cortez_ found five Slaves, who being kept close Prisoners, were to be Sacrific’d the next day; but he releasing them, did upon the importunate request of the _Quines_, or Priests, and promises of great ransoms, and their telling of him that the _Zemez_ would spoil all their Seed and Plants that year, if they did not go on with these Offerings, restor’d the Prisoners again; who, though the enjoyments of all happinesses in the other World were promis’d them by their Priest, and great assurance given thereof; yet they were not forward, but return’d, unwilling to suffer, though by so gainful a Sacrifice. [Sidenote: _Zemez_ wonderful Idols.] At the _Zemez_ Feet hung abundance of Mens Bones bundled up together, and under them were Written the Names of their Enemies, whose Flesh had been either Sacrific’d or eaten. [Sidenote: _Cortez_ his Exploits.] Twelve Leagues beyond _Zempoal_, _Cortez_ built a new City near the River _Grisalva_, and call’d it _Vera Crux_, which _Diego Velasques_ resented so ill, it being done without his knowledge, that he petition’d the Council of _Cuba_ to give Sentence of Death against the Founder: But whilst _Cortez_ expected an answer from the Embassadors (which were sent to the _Spanish_ Court to give account of the necessity of building a City there) he travell’d eighty Leagues Westerly. The _Zempoalensers_ accompanied him in great Troops, hoping by that means to shake off the yoke of the mighty King _Montezuma_, against whom they were then design’d. _Cortez_ coming into the Territory of _Sincuchimalar_, was in the Name of _Montezuma_, by one of his Princes, courteously entertain’d in a great Village, scituate on a steep Mountain, without any Path or Way leading to it, but by two high Ladders. _Sincuchimalar_ lies surrounded with Hills, whose tops seem to touch the Clouds. Coming down from the Village, they travell’d through a barren and cold Valley, where they suffer’d such great Inconveniences by want of Provisions and Water, and exceeding coldness of the Weather, that many of them perish’d. After that, they ascended a pleasant Hill, on whose summit stood a Chappel, with a handsom Steeple, and hedg’d about with great heaps of Wood, brought thither by the Inhabitants for the use of their Sacrifices. At the foot of this Mountain was a fruitful Valley water’d by a pleasant River, on whose Banks a certain Prince nam’d _Cacataminus_ had a Palace, built of Stone, and containing many Rooms, and convenient Lodgings. Somewhat higher to the Land, appear’d more of the like Structures, which were all under _Montezuma_’s Jurisdiction; but the neighboring Countrey _Tlaxcalla_, whose Inhabitants were famous for their Valor, would never receive any Laws from _Montezuma_. [Sidenote: Remarkable War in _Tlaxcalla_.]