Cortes was astonished but quickly decided what to do. In company with some of his officers he went at once to Villafanga’s quarters. His unexpected appearance at such a time and place so surprised the would-be assassin that he could neither deny his guilt nor think of a defence. He was instantly seized. Cortes snatched a paper from him, which he was attempting to conceal in his bosom, and, concluding that it related to the conspiracy, stepped aside a minute to examine it. It contained a list of the conspirators, which filled him with surprise. But he wisely concealed it and appeared as if he were not aware that any one else was implicated. He reserved punishment for the principal offender, and as his confession made any further investigation unnecessary, he was hanged the same night in front of the house where he had been arrested.
On the next morning Cortes summoned his entire force and informed them of Villafanga’s treachery and the penalty which had been inflicted, but added that, notwithstanding all his efforts, he had not discovered any of his accomplices, as Villafanga had been persistently silent even under torture. He assured them that as far as he was concerned he was pleased with this secrecy for it would have given him great pain to have delivered any more of his companions into the hands of justice. He closed his address by appealing to them to tell him in what way his operations had been a disappointment or how he had incurred the indignation of his comrades, so that he might correct his mistakes then and there. The hearts of the guilty ones were relieved by these words. They breathed freely again and in their joy at being undiscovered resolved at every opportunity to display to their leader still greater and more steadfast loyalty.
Cortes knew, however, that idleness may ruin the best of men. He bestirred himself, therefore, to provide new occupation for these turbulent ones so that they might have no opportunity for indulging evil fancies. His good luck attended him again. He was informed that the building material for thirteen vessels was ready to be brought from the Tlaxcalan forests to Tezcuco. As the transporting had to be made by Indian carriers and a strong guard was needed to protect them from the Mexicans, the repentant conspirators were selected and the watchful, brave, and true Sandoval was placed in command of them. The journey was one of the most difficult they had ever undertaken. Eight thousand _tamanes_, loaded with beams, planks, masts, ropes, sails, and iron-work, went in the middle. A force of fifteen thousand Tlaxcalan warriors escorted them in the advance, rear, and on both flanks, among whom the Spanish soldiers were distributed to keep them in order and accustom them to regular marching. The entire line was more than a mile long. Sandoval placed himself at the head of the force and assigned the command of the leading column to Chichimekatl, a young Tlaxcalan leader, for the proud and fierce Xikotenkatl was no more. He could not endure the thought of submission to the foreigners and incited a revolt. But his purpose failed, his own people arrested him, and his own father, a second Brutus, pronounced the death penalty and turned him over to the Spanish general, that the penalty might be inflicted. But Cortes, reluctant to consent to the death of the young, fiery patriot, pardoned him, set him at liberty, and took him with him on the march to Mexico. But even this magnanimous treatment did not move his proud heart. He improved every opportunity to denounce the plans of the Spaniards with republican outspokenness, and to prejudice his people against them. His companions informed the Tlaxcalan High Council of his conduct, which in turn notified Cortes that he was striving to raise a revolt in the army and that by the law of their land he deserved the death penalty. It was now incumbent upon Cortes to deal with him severely for if he returned to Tlaxcala he would not be mercifully treated. Cortes, however, once more told the obstinate young man that if he came to him and performed his duties he should suffer no injustice. But the Tlaxcalan would not consent, and when Cortes sent the guard to bring him by force he resisted and defended himself until at last he fell dead from many wounds. Such was the tragic end of a man who under other circumstances might have been, perhaps, a Hannibal or a Cæsar.