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their companions, recently taken off, threatening them with the hke, 

 fate. Sandoval was not to be terrified ; he warned his foldiers to pre- 

 ferve a good countenance, and feeing no hopes of fuccefs brought his 

 divifion back to their quarters, with many wounds it. is true, but with 

 the lofs of only two of their number. Sandoval then, w^ounded as he 

 was, leaving the command of his poft to Captain Luis Marin, fet out 

 on horfeback to have an interview with Cortes. As he went he was 

 affailed by the enemy, but he arrived at the general's quarters, and ad- 

 drefling him in terms of furprife and condolance, afked him how this 

 ill fuccefs had happened. "Son Sandoval" faid Cortes, with tears in 

 his eyes, "it is for my fins that this misfortune has befallen me; but 

 " the fault is with the treafurer Alderete, who was ordered by me to 

 " fill up the bad pafs where the enemy threw us into confufion." The 

 treafurer then exclaimed, that it was with Cortes himfelf the fault lay, 

 he having never given any fuch orders, but hurrying on his men after 

 the enemy in their feigned retreat, crying, "forward! gentlemen for- 

 ' ' ward ! " Cortes was alfo very much blamed for not having fent his 

 allies out of the way early enough ; however I will omit to detail any 

 more of the converfation which pafTed at this time between Cortes and 

 the treafurer, as it happened in the heat of anger and difappointment. 

 Cortes w^as agreeably furprifed by the arrival of two of his vefTels which 

 he had given up for lofl, although he did not exprefs himfelf fo. Cor- 

 tes defired Sandoval to go to our quarters at Tacuba, as he apprehended 

 that the weight of the enemy's attack would fall upon this pofl, and 

 recommended that he fhould pay attention to our affairs, as he himfelf 

 was at prefent unable to do fo. Sandoval fetting out, arrived at Tacuba 

 about the hour of vefpers. He alfo found us as Tapia had done, occu- 

 pied in repelling the enemy, fome of whom were attacking us by the 

 caufeway, others by that of the ruined houfes. I was at this time to- 

 gether with others of our foldiers up to my waifl in the water defend- 

 ing a veffel which was aground, and engaged with the enemy who 

 were endeavouring to get poffefTion of her. Juft as Sandoval arfived 

 liowever, by a great effort we got the veffel afloat, but with the lofs of 

 two of the crew killed, and every man on board woimded. The enemy 



Q, q 2 now 



