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progrefs by breaking a bridge in the rear of their parapets and barricades, 

 where the water was very deep, leaving one obvious pafs as a decoy » 

 and in other parts, pit falls under the water; they alfo made parapets 

 on both fides of the breach, they placed palifades in the deep water 

 where our veffels could approach, and they had canoes manned ready to 

 fally out upon the fignal given. When they had made thefe prepara^^ 

 tions they advanced againft us in three bodies, one by the fide of Tacu- 

 ba, the other by the ruins of the houfes which had been deftroyed, and 

 the third by the caufeway, where they had made the works. Alvarado 

 had brought part of his cavalry to our poft, fince the houfes were de- 

 ftroyed. We repulfed the enemy on all fides, and one party of us hav- 

 ing forced them from the work I have mentioned, croffed the water, 

 up to our necks, at the pafs they had left open, and followed them, un- 

 til we came to a place where were large temples and towers of idols. 

 Here we were affailed by frefh troops from the houfes and roofs, and 

 thofe whom we purfued faced about and came againfi: us. We were 

 obliged to retreat, which we did with regularity, but when we came 

 to the water, we found that the enemy in their canoes had got pofTeflion 

 of the pafs where we had crofled. We were therefore obliged to look 

 for other places, but as they came preffing on us, we were at length 

 compelled to throw ourfelves into the lake and get over as we could. 

 Thofe who were not able to fwim fell into the pits ; the enemy clofed in 

 upon them, wounded moft, and took five of our foldiers alive. The 

 veffels which came to our relief could not approach, being embarraffed 

 among the palifades, and here they loft two foldiers. It was a wonder 

 that we were not all deftroyed in the pit falls ; a number of the enemy 

 laid hands on me, but our Lord Jefus Ghrift gave me force to difengage 

 my arm, and by dint of a good fword, I got free from them, though 

 wounded, and arrived on the dry ground, where I fainted away, and 

 remained fenfelefs for a time. This was owing to my great exertions, 

 and lofs of blood. When this mob had their claws on me, I recom- 

 mended myfelf to our Lord and his blefled mother, and they heard my 

 prayer, glorified be they for all their mercies ! one of our cavalry crofT- 

 ed the water with us this day; he and his horfc; were killed. Fortu- 



Pp 2 nately. 



