( 2<' } 



whom afterwards died. The ftrcets were fo crowded, that De Ordas 

 when he endeavored to reach us could not proceed; and was inceflantly 

 attacked in front, in rear, and from the roofs of the houfes. Neither 

 our fire arms, nor our good fighting could prevent the enemy from do- 

 fing in upon us for a length of time; however De Ordaz at laft forced 

 his way back, with the lofs of twenty three men. The enemy ftill con- 

 tinued their attacks, but all we had hitherto fufFered was nothing to that 

 which fucceeded. They fet fire to various parts of the buildings which 

 we occupied, thinking to burn us alive, or flifle us with the fmokc; 

 and we were obliged to flop it by tearing down the building, or by 

 throwing earth upon it. All the courts and open fpaces of our quar- 

 ters were covered wnth their arrows and miffile weapons, and in repelling 

 their attacks, repairing the breaches which they had made in the walls, 

 drefling our wounds, and preparing for enfuing engagements, we paffed 

 that day and night. 



As fodn as the next morning dawned we Tallied out with our whole 

 force upon the enemy, being determined if we could not conquer, to 

 make them fear us. The Mexicans came to meet us with their whole 

 force, and both parties fought defperately ; but as the numbers of our 

 opponents were fo immenfe, and as they conflantly brought up frefh 

 troops, even if we had been ten thoufand Hedlors of Troy, and as ma- 

 ny Roldans, we could not have beaten them oft; nor can I give any idea 

 of the defperation of this battle; for though in every charge we made 

 upon them we brought down thirty and even forty, it was of no avail ; 

 they came on even with more fpirit than at firft, nor could we, by our 

 cannon or fire arms, make any imprefTion on them. If at any time they 

 appeared to give ground it was only to draw us from our quarters, ia 

 order to enfure our deflrudtion. Then the ftones and darts thrown on us 

 from the terraces of the houfes were intolerable. But I defcribe it faint- 

 ly ; for fome of our foldiers who had been in Italy fwore, that neither 

 amongft Chriflians nor Turks, nor the artillery of the King of France, 

 had they ever feen fuch defperation as was manifefled in the attacks of 

 thofe Indians. We were at length forced to retreat to our quarters, 

 which we reached with great difficulty. 



Ee a • On 



