Cease to attack the Spaniards and invest their camp so closely that no food can reach them and their allies the Tlascalans.

If this is done, within ten days from now, either they will surrender or they will strive to break their way back to the coast.

But to do this, first they must win out of the city, and if dykes are cut through the causeways, that will be no easy matter.

Then when they strive to escape cumbered with the gold they covet and came here to seek, then I say will be the hour to attack them and to destroy them utterly.' I ceased, and a murmur of applause went round the council.
'It seems that we came to a wise judgment when we determined to spare this man's life,' said Cuitlahua, 'for all that he tells us is true, and I would that we had followed this policy from the first.

Now, lords, I give my voice for acting as our brother points the way.