Vpon this request the eyghtéene prisoners were delyuered vnto _Cortez_, who sent them aboorde his Shyppes, and there commaunded them to be put in yrons. The Lorde and his counsellors fearing what mighte followe, entred into councell what was best to doe, consideryng that they certaynely beléeued that the two prisoners whiche were escaped, would certifie in _Mexico_ the shame and cruell entertaynemente done vnto them. Some replyed that it was iust and requisite to sende vnto _Mutezuma_ hys tribute, with other presentes, to mitigate hys anger, and to excuse them, and accuse the Christians, who were the causes of the apprehension of his officers, and to craue pardon of their erroure and ouersighte whyche they hadde committed as madde men, in dishonor of the maiestie of _Mexico_. Others aunswered agayne, that it were muche better to cast off that yoke of bondage and slauery, and to giue no longer obedience to the _Mexicans_, who were both cruell and wicked tyrants, and also considering that now they had on their side those halfe Gods, and inuincible horsemen, saying likewise that they should not wante many others their neyghbours and borderers to help and succour them. In this sorte they resolued themselues fully to rebell, and not to lose so good an occasion, wherevppon they besoughte _Hernando Cortes_ to bée their defendor and Captayne, considering that for his sake they had begun that enterprise, and whether _Mutezuma_ shoulde prepare hys army againste them or no, yet they on their parte were fully pretended to hold hym warre, and to desist from seruitude. God knoweth how glad _Cortes_ was to heare this matter, for he well wayed that it was the high way to hys iourneys ende: yet dissimuling the cause, he aunswered that they should well looke to the thing which they meant to take in hande, bycause (quoth he) I vnderstande that _Mutezuma_ is a mightie Prince, but if ye will valiantly procéede, I will be youre Captayne, and safely defende you, for I do more estéeme your friendship, than the good will of _Mutezuma_, whyche I nothing care for: therefore lette me knowe what number of men of warre yée are able to make. Sir (quoth they) among all our friends wée are able to make a hundred thousande menne of warre. I lyke that well quoth _Cortez_, wherefore incontinente sende youre postes, with aduise vnto all your friendes in league againste _Mutezuma_, and certifie them of this agréemente and succoure of the Christians, not (quoth he) that I stande in néede of your help, for I alone with my company are able to stande againste those of _Culhua_, although they were as manye more, but reason required that they shoulde be warned of your pretence, and to be in readinesse for the same, fearing least _Mutezuma_ mighte sende his army vpon a suddayne, and finde you vnprouided.