[160] _Carta del Ayunt._, ubi sup., 19. Gomara, _Hist. Mex._, 39-41, while he does not refer to a helmet, states that Cortés asked for gold, as a remedy for heart disease, from which he and his men were suffering. [161] ‘Dexo alli dos hombres principales, como capitanes, con hasta dos mil personas entre mugeres y hombres de servicio, y fuese a Cotosta.’ _Gomara_, _Hist. Mex._, 41. He left over 1000 to wait upon the Spaniards, and over 1000 to carry supplies. _Las Casas_, _Hist. Ind._, iv. 482; _Ixtlilxochitl_, _Hist. Chich._, 287; Bernal Diaz, _Hist. Verdad._, 26, supposes that Teuhtlile went in person to Mexico, but not so Gomara and Ixtlilxochitl. [162] ‘Y desque viò el casco, y el que tenia su Huichilobos, tuuo por cierto, que eramos del linage de los que les auian dicho sus antepassados, que vendrian á señorear aquesta tierra.’ _Bernal Diaz_, _Hist. Verdad._, 26. This statement is followed by a cut at Gomara for giving unreliable information. _Camargo_, _Hist. Tlasc._, 141. The native version of Sahagun and Torquemada describes how the messengers are sprinkled with fresh human blood, as customary with important bearers of news, before presenting themselves before Montezuma. They arouse his admiration by speaking of the wonders beheld, of the penetrating swords, the sulphurous smell of the thunder smoke, and of the intoxicating food; but when they relate how outrageously they have been treated and how the strangers threatened to conquer the country, then the emperor wept, and with him all the city. _Sahagun_, _Hist. Conq._, i. 12-13; _Torquemada_, i. 385-6; _Acosta_, _Hist. Ind._, 515-18. Brasseur de Bourbourg incorporates all this native version in his narrative, and allows Teuhtlile to reach Mexico with his report a few days after these messengers, thus confirming their account. _Hist. Nat. Civ._, iv. 75-6. Duran writes that on hearing of Cortés’ eagerness to obtain guides for Mexico, Montezuma began to grieve deeply over the prospect of having to resign and die. The envoy consoled him by representing the benignity of the white gods, but he nevertheless set about to arrange for the safety of his children. _Hist. Ind._, MS., ii. 396-7; _Tezozomoc_, _Hist. Mex._, ii. 253. [163] _Ixtlilxochitl_, _Hist. Chich._, 287-8; _Camargo_, _Hist. Tlasc._, 141-2; _Herrera_, dec. ii. lib. v. cap. ix. Torquemada refers to the similar mistake of King Hezekiah of Judea, in exhibiting to the Assyrian envoys his wealth, and thus attracting invaders, i. 391, 404.