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morial. We ftill however maintained pofleflion of our poft, one half 

 of our cavalry being on the caufeway and the other half in the town. 



Our new allies on the lake had fuffered confiderably by the enemy, 

 having lofl half their canoes, but they continued firm to us, from ani- 

 mofity to them, or contented themfelves with being mere lookers on, and 

 did not moleft us. Cortes in confequence of our lofies ordered a cefla- 

 tion of attacks, which lafted for the fpace of four days, during which 

 we did not quit our pofts, having loft near eighty men, and feven hor- 

 ies, in the kft engagement. The enemy alfo gained ground on us, and 

 made new ditches and water cuts, but we had a very deep and defen- 

 fible one in front of our quarters. Sandoval and Tapia on their return 

 to the general, reported to him the valiant manner in which our foldiers 

 were behaving when they arrived at our poft; Sandoval alfo mentioned 

 me particularly, and faid thofe things in my commendation, which,, 

 exclufive of the fa(5ts being known to our whole army, would not be. 

 proper to repeat of myfelf. 



During this eeflation, our whole force of infantry kept guard or^ 

 the caufeway at night, flanked by the brigantines, one half of the ca- 

 valry patroling in Tacuba, the other half on the caufeway. In the morn- 

 ing we prepared to receive the enemy, who every day continued facri- 

 ficing our poor companions, and when they attacked, reviled us faying, 

 that our flefh was too bitter to be eaten, and truly it feems that fuch a 

 miracle was wrought. For five days together the enemy continued 

 their affaults, being promifed, as they faid, our deftrudtion, by their 

 gods, within the fpace of eight days; but their gods as it appears to me, 

 were perverfe and treacherous to them, not permitting them to think of 

 peace, and thus leading them to ruin. This language however, and 

 the laft menace in particular, had fuch an effedl upon our allies, toge^ 

 ther with the bad appearance of pur affairs,, that they almoft entirely 

 deferted us in the courfe of a night. The only one who remained with 

 Cortes, was, Suchel, 9therwife Don Carlos, brother of Fernando lord 

 of Tezcuco. He was a man of great bravery. His friends who ftaid 



