( 209 ) 



do only, that when the garrifon was in great want of water, they fank 

 a pit in the court, and immediately a fpring of the fweetefl water broke 

 forth. I can declare, to my own knowledge, that there was a fpring 

 in the city which very frequently threw up water tolerably frelh. 

 Glory to God for all his mercies i 



Some fay that it was avarice tempted Alvarado to make this attack, 

 in order to pillage the Indians of the golden ornaments which they wore 

 at their feftival. I never heard any juft reafons for the affertion, nor 

 do I believe any fuch thing, although it is fo jreprefented by Fra Bar- 

 tholome de las Cafas ; but for my part I am convinced, that his inten- 

 tion in falling on them at that time was, in order to ftrike terror into 

 them, and prevent their infurred:ion, according to the faying, that, the 

 firft attack is half the battle. A very bad plan as appeared by the refult, 

 and it is certain, that after the affair at the temple, Montezuma did 

 moft earneftly defire that they fhould not attack our people, but the 

 Mexicans were fo enraged that they could not be reft rained. 



Cortes during our march had expatiated to the new comers upon 

 the power and influence he poffeffed, and the refped; with which he was 

 treated in Mexico, and had filled their minds and heightened their ex- 

 pectations, with promifes and golden hopes. When on his return there- 

 fore he experienced the coldnefs and negligence of his reception in Tez- 

 cuco, and equal appearances thereof in Mexico, he grew very pecvifh 

 and irritable; and the officers of Montezuma coming to wait upon him, 

 cxpreffing the wilh of their Sovereign to fee him, Cortes angrily ex- 

 claimed, *• Away with him! The dog! why does he negled: to fupply 

 ** us." When the captains De Leon, De Oli, and De Lugo, heard this 

 cxpreffion, they intreated him to be moderate, and reminded him of the 

 former kindnefs and generofity of the King. But this feemed to irritate 

 Cortes the more, confidering it a kind of cenfure, and he indignantly 

 faid, " What compliment am I under to a dog who treated fecretly with 

 " Narvaez, and as we fee neglecfts to fend provifions?" This the cap- 

 tains admitted ought to be done ; and Cortes, confident in the great rein- 



Ee forcemcnt 



