{ 294 J 



Our detachment perfevered in filling up every ditch and canal as 

 we proceeded with the materials of the houfes which we deftroyed j and 

 conftantly gained temples, bridges, or houfes which ftood feparate from 

 each other, and were acceffible by draw-bridges only. To prevent jea- 

 loufy, the companies took the working and covering parties alternately, 

 and towards evening, when we drew off, the whole ftood to their arms, 

 and retreated, fending our Indian allies before us. The latter rendered 

 us moft important affiftance in the working duty, both in pulling down 

 the houfes, and filling the apertures. Sandoval during this time was 

 obliged to fuftain conftant attacks, and Cortes on his fide attacked one 

 -of the out pofts of the city, where the canal which crolTed the caufeway 

 was too deep to be forded. The enemy had fortified it ftrongly, and 

 defended it both by land and water. Cortes cornmanded the attack in 

 perfon, and with fuccefs; but at night he was obliged to retire without , 

 filling the ditch, and with the lofs of four Spaniards killed and above 

 thirty wounded, for the pafs was commanded from the terraces, and 

 the pallifades made in the water prevented the approach of the vef- 

 fels. 



Guatimotzin now determined to wear us out by continual efforts. 

 Accordingly, on the twenty firft of June, the anniverfary of the day of 

 our entry into Mexico, the enemy attacked us at every point with theif 

 whole force by land and water, at the houf of the fecond fleep, or of 

 lethargy, that is two hours before day. The number fit for duty at our 

 poft was one hundred and twenty ; our allies we had fent entirely off 

 -the caufeway, and it was with our utmofl efforts that we could refifl 

 the enemy; we at length however repulfed them from all our pofts, but 

 with the lofs of many killed and wounded. Alvarado's detachment 

 loft two foldiers on this occafion. The enemies attacks were continued 

 for two nights fucceffively upon the different pofts, and they afterwards 

 concentrated their whole force in an affault upon ours, which took place 

 at day break. This was the tnoft defperate of all; if our allies had been 

 with us we ftiould have been loft. Our cavalry on this occafion faved 

 our ilanks, and we had -cpnfiderable fupport from our fhips. Eight of 



our 



