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which interfe<5led the caufeway, and proftrated the houfes which were 

 on each fide of it; for it was exceeding difficult to fet them on fire, nor 

 could the flames communicate from one to another, on account of tlic 

 water which was between them, and if we threw ourfelves into the 

 water to fwim to a houfe, the enemy deftroyed us from their terraffes. 

 We guarded every pafs day and night as we gained it, and our method 

 of keeping guard was as follows. 



The company which was firft for duty took it from fun fet to 

 midnight with forty men; the fe'cond company with the fame number 

 came on at midnight, and remained until two hours before day break, 

 the firft guard not quitting the pofl, but fleeping on the ground ; this 

 fecond guard watched the hours of lethargy, and after them came on 

 the third company for the two hours until day, at which time, as thofe. 

 who were relieved did not quit the poll, there were an hundred and 

 twenty men at the guard. Sometimes our whole detachment remained 

 under arms during the night, for our prifoners had informed us that it 

 was the intention of the Mexicans, by a great efl:brt, to force our poft, 

 as they knew that by fo doing they would entirely difconcert the plans 

 of the other two; and it was intended that the nine towns in and about 

 the lake, including ours of Tacuba, together with Ezcapuzalco and 

 Tenayuca, fhould make a joint effort, and attack us in the rear while 

 the Mexicans attacked us in front. It was at the fame time intended to 

 carry off our luggage and bakery in Tacuba. This intelligence we imr 

 mediately communicated to our cavalry, warning them and our allies to 

 be well on their guard. 



As we had been informed, fo it happened; we were attacked for 

 feveral nights in fucceflion, from midnight to the break of day. The 

 enemy fometimes came on with great noife, at others ftole upon us in 

 filence, but during the night their attacks were never made with fo much 

 refolution as in the day. We were however harralfed to death with 

 wounds, fatigues, wind, rain, and cold. The place where we were 

 pofted was now mud and water, and our miferable food of maize, and 



P p herbs 



