( '-^92 ) 



mtdy, the reft were with Alvarado in Tacuba ; had they been with us 

 they muft have been all deftroyed from the tops of the buildings, for 

 the adlion took place as it were within the very city. After this fuccefs 

 the enemy kept us conftantly employed during the day and night, by 

 attacks upon our pofts. Cortes was much diifatisfied at hearing of our 

 defeat, v.'hich he confidered as owing to our negled: of his diredions 

 that the cuts acrofs the caufeways fhould he filled with timber and fods 

 as we advanced. 



In the fpace of four days, and with the lofs of fix foldiers, we 

 completely filled up this great aperture, and here we eftablilhed our ad- 

 vanced poft, the enemy having one oppofite to us. Their method of 

 keeping guard was this j they made a great fire in their front, which 

 concealed them from our view, except when they came to renew the 

 "fire, as it was fometimes extinguifhed by the rains, which were at that 

 feafon frequent and heavy. They kept profound filence on guard, nor 

 was it ever interrupted except by their fignals, which were given by a 

 whiftle. Our fhot did no execution among them, for they fortified 

 their pofl by a parapet and a new ditch. Having defcribed the manner 

 in which guard was kept on each fide, I will now give an account of 

 our daily employment. In the morning we marched againft the enemy ; 

 after engaging them during the whole day we retreated, towards even- 

 ing, covered with wounds, firft clearing the caufeway of our allies 

 whofe numbers embarraffed us, a circumftance the enemy were watch- 

 ful to take advantage ofj. after which we fell back ftep by flep, firing 

 at the enemy as they advanced, and being flanked by the armed veffels, 

 until wc reached our poft. When we arrived in our quarters we fat 

 down to our mifery of maize cakes, herbs, and tunas, curing our 

 wounds with oil,, and remaining all night fubje€l to conftant alarms. 



Cortes and his party were employed in the fame manner, and his 

 lofs in killed and wounded was by this time become very confiderable. 

 He conftantly fent out veffels at night to fcour the lake, and one night 

 ihey brought in to him fome prifoners of confequence ; from them he 



learned 



