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into the town. We then drove them before us up the ftrect to a fecond 

 barricade, behind which they polled themfeh'-es, fronting us vahantly, 

 M hiftHng, and fhouting, Al calachioni," or " kill the captain." While 

 we were thus engaged, the party commanded by Captain De Avila and 

 which had marched from the point of Palmares arrived, and joined us 

 moft opportunely. He had been retarded on his route, in croffing 

 marfhes and breaking down barricades, whereby he arrived at the mofl 

 convenient moment, for we had been detained longer than we expedted 

 in making the fummons which I have related. We now drove the 

 enemy before us, though they fought manfully and never could be 

 made to turn their backs, until they arrived at a great enclofed courts 

 where were fome large apartments and halls, and three houfes contain- 

 ing idols. Here they had colleded all their efFeds, but as they were 

 forced to evacuate this laft poft, our general ordered a halt, and that 

 they fhould be purfued no farther. 



Cortes took poflefTion of the country for his Majefly and in his 

 royal name in the following manner. Drawing his fword, he gave 

 three cuts with it into a great ceiba tree which ftood in the area of this 

 cnclofure, and faid, that againft any who denied his Majefty's claim, 

 lie was ready to defend and maintain it, with the fword and fhield 

 which he then held. This ftep was generally approved of, and it was 

 formally witneffed by a royal notary. It gave caufe for fecret murmurs 

 however amongft the party of Velafquez. In thefe adlions /ourteen of 

 our foldiers were wounded ; I received a flight one, and eighteen of the 

 "enemy were left dead upon the field. Here we pofted ftrong guards,, 

 and halted for the night. 



On the next day Cortes detached Captain P. de Alvarado with one 

 Tiundred men, to march through and reconnoitre the country for the 

 diftance of two leagues round our poft» On this occafion the interpre- 

 ter Melchorejo being ordered to attend, it was found that he had de- 

 ferted on the preceding night, leaving his clothes behind him. This 

 vexed Cortes much^ as it was to be apprehended that he could convey 



Cz to 



