C 2S7 ) 



we advanced, nor did we now fuftcr the cavalry to come to the cauic- 

 way. 



Sandoval had found that in his prefent pofition he could not fuffi- 

 ciently annoy the enemy, who vvere eftablifhed in the houfes built in 

 the water; he therefore advanced by a caufeway to a place which com- 

 manded them better. This being perceived from Mexico, a large de- 

 tachment was fent in canoes, with directions to cut the caufeway behind 

 our troops. Cortes obferving this fet fail with his veffels for their re- 

 lief, ordering De Oli to go thither with a body of troops by the caufe- 

 way. Having relieved Sandoval, the general ordered this detachment 

 to a place named Tepeaquilla, where is now built the church of Nueftra 

 Senora de Guadelupe, in which many wonderful miracles have been, 

 and are, performed. 



As it was impoHible for our troops to advance upon the caufeways 

 without their flanks being fecured on the water, the flotilla was form- 

 ed into three divifions, and one of them attached to each of the three 

 corps of our army; that is to fay, four fhips to Alvarado, fix to De Oli, 

 and two to Sandoval, making in all twelve, for the thirteenth, named 

 *' Bufca Ruido, or follow the noife," being found to be too fmall^ was 

 ordered to be laid up, and her crew divided among the reft, as we had 

 twenty very badly wounded already on board the fhips. Alvarado now 

 ordered us out upon the caufeway, and placing two of the fhips on each 

 lide, he thereby proted:ed the flanks. We drove the enemy from feve- 

 ral bridges and barricades, but after fighting during the whole day, we 

 were obliged at night to retreat to our quarters, almofl every man of 

 us wounded by the fhowers of arrows and flones, which exceeded ima- 

 gination ; for we were attacked confl:antly by frefh troops bearing difler- 

 ent devices, by land, while from the terraces of the houfes, the enemy 

 commanded our fhips. As we could not leave a party to fecure what 

 we got in the day, at night the enemy repoffeffed themfelves of the 

 bridges, and put better defences on them.. They deepened the water in 

 fome places, and in the fhallow part they dug pits, and placed canoes. 



