( ^77 ) 



to appeafe his gods, provided it were not by human facrifices« 



Cortes immediately proceeded to execute his determination of 

 building the three fhips, contrary to what is related by Gomara, who 

 fays that the whole was a feint, in order to lull Montezuma and his 

 fubjedts. But on the contrary, Martin Lopez, the principal carpenter, 

 who is now living, has affured me that he really, and in good earneft, 

 did fet about the work, and that the veffels were actually on the ftocks. 

 During this time we remained very penfive and fad, in the city of 

 Mexico,, from the precarioufnefs of our fituation, expeding every mo- 

 ment to be attacked. Our apprehenfions were increafed by the infor- 

 mations obtained by Donna Marina, and the terror and tears of the 

 page, who, underflanding the language, obtained hints which efcaped 

 our knowledge. We kept however good and conftant watch on Mon- 

 tezuma, and guard on our quarters, never fleeping out of our armour, 

 and our horfes were conftantly bridled and faddled all night. 



Without meaning to boafl I may fay of myfelf, that my armour 

 was to me as eafy as the fofteft down, and fuch is my cuftom, that 

 when I now go the rounds of my diftridt, I never take a bed with me 

 unlefs I happen indeed to be attended by .ftrange cavaliers, in which 

 cafe I do it only in order to avoid the appearance of poverty, or penn- 

 rioufnefs, but by my faith, even when I have one I always throw my- 

 felf on it in my clothes, fuch it is to be a true foldier ! another pecu- 

 liarity I have is, that 1 cannot fleep through the night, but always 

 awaken and get up in order to contemplate the heavens and ftars, and 

 thus I amufe myfelf, walking backwards and forwards, as I ufed to do 

 when on guard, for a good fpace of time, without hat or cap; and 

 glory be to God, I never yet caught cold, nor was a jot the worfe for 

 it. And this the reader muft pardon me for mentioning, it not being 

 from vanity, but that I wifh him to know what kind of men we, the 

 true bred foldiers, and real conquerors of Mexico were. 



Aa 



