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Tlafcalans, who had enriched themfelves by plunder, were anxious to 

 go home, which Cortes readily gave them permiflion to do. 



During four days after this expedition, the Indians of feveral neigh- 

 bouring diftri(fls came in with prefents and declarations of fubmilTion. 

 Cortes received all in good part, although he knew very wrell that they 

 had been concerned in murders, difmiffing them with promifes of pro- 

 ted:ion. Other applications of a more embarraffing nature were alfo 

 made at this time, for the nations in our alliance came with painted re- 

 prefentations of the outrages committed on them by the Mexicans, and 

 requefting fuccour. Cortes was hardly able to grant them affiftance, 

 from the Hate of our army, which, exclufive of our lofs by killed and 

 wounded was grown very unhealthy. He however promifed them his 

 fupport, bnt told them to rely more on their own exertions, and that 

 they fliould be aHifted by the neighbouring people of our alliance. For 

 this purpofe he gave them letters of fummons to the refpedlive diftriils, 

 to affemble againft the common enemy. The different diftrid:s having 

 alTembled their forces, met the Mexicans in the field, and had an action 

 with them, in which they exerted themfelves with fuccefs. The pro- 

 vince of Chalco however was an objed: of more importance; the pofTef- 

 fion of that country was requifite for our communication with Villa Ri- 

 ca and Tlafcala, and for the fubfiflence of our troops, as it was a corn 

 country. It was much harrailed, and therefore Cortes fent Sandoval 

 with about two hundred and fifty of our troops, cavalry and infantry, 

 accompanied by what few of our Tlafcalan allies remained with us, and 

 a company of thofe of Tezcuco., to clear it of the enemy. 



On the twelfth day of March, one thoufand five hundred and twenty 

 one, after hearing mafs, Sandoval fet out, and arrived in the diflrid: of 

 Chalco. On the enfuing morning he reached Talmanalco, where he 

 received information that the Mexican force was pofled at a large town 

 called Guaztepeque. The warriors of Chalco accompanied our troops, 

 who halted for the night at the town of Chimalcan. On the next morn* 

 ing Sandoval ordered the crofsbow-men and mufqueteers to attack the 



enemy. 



