The _Casike_ certifyed _Cortez_ euen as the Lord of _Zempoallan_ had done, but he stood in great feare least _Mutezuma_ should be offended for receyuing and lodging him within that towne, without his commaundement, and being in thys communication, sodenly appeared twentye men entring where they sate, w^t certain wäds like cudgels in their häds, which did signify y^t they were rent gatherers & in ech other hand, a fly flap of feathers, the _Cacike_ & hys company were soare afrayde. _Cortez_ demaunded wherefore he so altered himself, he answered, bicause those twëty _Indians_ were collecters of _Mutezuma_, and that he feared that they would complayne of him, hauing founde those Christians there, he feared likewise cruell punishment for the same. _Cortes_ comforted him, saying that _Mutezuma_ was his friende, and that he would so vse the matter that he shoulde receyue no blame at all, but rather that _Mutezuma_ shoulde giue him thankes for that whiche he had done: And if _Mutezuma_ did not, or would not so accept it, that then he would defend both him and his subiects, for (quoth he) euery one of my më is sufficient for a thousand _Mexicans_, as _Mutezuma_ himselfe was well enformed by the late warres at _Potonchan_. Yet for and notwithstanding all this talke, the Lorde and all his folke were in great feare, and meante to arise and to lodge the receyuers. _Cortes_ woulde not suffer him, and bycause (quoth he) thou shalte sée what I and my men can doe, commaund thy seruaunts to apprehend and take prysoners these receyuers of _Mexico_, and I wil abide here with thée, in such sorte that _Mutezuma_ with all his power shall not offende thée. [Sidenote: The receyuers put in pryson.] With the courage that he receyued at these wordes, he commaunded to lay hande vpon the _Mexicans_, and bycause they defended themselues, they were sore beaten, and layde euery one in a seuerall prison, and bounde them to a great poste whereat they were tied by the throate, féete, and handes, and beyng in this sorte imprysoned, they asked of _Cortes_ whether they should kill them. _Cortes_ requested that they should not be slaine, but that they might remayne as they were, with good watch that they might not escape: Then they were brought into a hall in the Spaniardes lodging, and were placed rounde aboute a good fire, but yet bounde hande and foote with garde of watchmen. _Cortes_ also appoynted certaine of his men to watch the hall dore, and then went to his lodging to supper, where he and his company was well prouided at the _Caziks_ furniture. The messages sent by Cortez _vnto Mutezuma_. [Sidenote: Pollicie.]