that of the guardian of Tzoncoztli temple, who related that Huemac, interdicted by supreme command from approaching the emperor, had commissioned him to recall his master to duty. His presence is needed in Mexico to direct public affairs and to infuse respect among the hostile nations, who would rise the moment his disappearance became known. What will his subjects think? He must obey the divine command, and remember that he is emperor of the world. Montezuma yielded reluctantly and reëntered his palace, taking to his side the faithful Tzoncoztli guardian, and charging all to keep the secret. _Tezozomoc_, _Hist. Mex._, ii. 213-27; and in _Kingsborough’s Mex. Ant._, v. 469, et seq.; _Duran_, _Hist. Ind._, MS., ii. 328-45. [143] _Codex Chimalpopoca_, in _Brasseur de Bourbourg_, _Hist. Nat. Civ._, iv. 35-6. [144] ‘Besaron todos las proas de las naos en señal de adoracion, pensaron que era el Dios _Quetzalcoatl_ que volvia.’ _Sahagun_, _Hist. Conq._, i. 5. [145] According to Tezozomoc, an Indian, with ears, thumbs, and big toes cut off, arrived from Mictlancuauhtla with the report that he had seen a round mountain on the sea moving to and fro without approaching the shore. The informant was placed under guard, and a chief with an attendant sent to Pinotl to verify the statement, and to chide him for neglect to report. They soon returned to say that from a tree they had seen two such mountains or towers, from one of which a canoe had set out on a fishing trip. The men on board had white faces and hands, long, thick beard, long hair, raiments of varied and brilliant colors, and round head-covering. The mutilated Indian being now called to answer further questions, his prison cell was found vacant. _Hist. Mex._, ii. 232-4; _Duran_, _Hist. Ind._, MS., ii. 359-77. [146] _Torquemada_, i. 379, names ten members, while Veytia, _Hist. Ant. Méj._, iii. 378, says there were twelve. [147] Particularly at Nauhtla, Toztla, Mictla, and Quauhtla. _Torquemada_, i. 379; Sahagun, _Hist. Conq._, i. 6, calls the districts Cuextecatl, Naulitlantoztlan, and Mictlanquactla. _Brasseur de Bourbourg_, _Hist. Nat. Civ._, iv. 49, writes more correctly Nauthtlan, Tochtlan, and Mictlan-Quauhtla.