1^> 



horse, with a flaming sword, striking terror into 

 their enemies.* These declarations were readily 

 believed, and the whole army, in consequence, 

 unanimously agreed to build a chapel upon the 

 field of battle, which a few years after was dedi- 

 cated to that apostle. But this miracle, which 

 is not entitled to greater credit from its having 

 been so frequently repeated, proceeded alone from 

 the circumspection and timidity of Lincoyan. 



The Spanish general, who was now in some 

 measure freed from the restraint imposed upon 



* This Apostle appears to have been a very convenient per- 

 sonage, and very ready with his aid upon all such occasions to 

 the Spaniards of that period. Bemal Diaz, in his true history 

 of the conquest of Mexico, in giving an account of a similar 

 story, thus expresses himself with his peculiar naivete. " In 

 bis account of this action Goraara says, that previous to the 

 arrival of the main body of the cavalry under Cortes, Fran- 

 cisco dc Morla appeared in the field ujion a grey daj>j)led 

 hone, and that it was one of the holy apostles, St. Peter or 

 St. Jago, disguised under his person. 1 say, that all our 

 works and victories are guided by the hand of our Lord Jesus 

 Christ, and that in this battle there were so many enemies to 

 every one of us, that they could have buried us under the dust 

 they jrould have held in Ihcir hands, but that the great mercy 

 of God aided us throughout. What Gomara asserts might be 

 the case, and I, sinner as I am, was not worthy to be permitted 

 to see it. What I did see was Francisco de Motla riding in 

 company with Cortes and the rest upon a chesimt horse, and 

 that circumstance, and all the others of that day, appear to me, 

 at this moment that I am writing, as if actually passing in the 

 - view of these kiiiful eves." 



