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the ditches in our front. This we effedled at all our pofts in the fpape 

 of four days, Cortes himfelf carrying the beams and earth. 



During each night of this period the enemy continued beating their 

 accurfed drum in the great temple; nothing can equal the difmal im- 

 .preiTion its found conveyed. They were then in the execution of their 

 infernal ceremonies; the whole place was illuminated, and their fhricks 

 at certain intervals pierced the air. For ten nights together were they 

 thus employed in putting to death our unfortunate companions; Chrif- 

 toval de Guzman was the lafi: facrificed ; he was in their hands eighteen 

 days; this we were informed by fome of our prifoners, and for every 

 facrifice, we were told that their war god renewed to them the promife 

 of vidtory. The enemy at times during the foregoing period brought 

 our own crofsbows againft us, and made the unfortunate prifoners fhoot 

 thern,; but our poft derived its fafcty from the excellent management of 

 the two guns under P. M. Medrano, and we flill advanced, gaining 

 every day a bridge or a parapet. Our veffels alfo conrinually intercept- 

 ed their canoes loaded with provifion and water, alfo thofe which were 

 employed in procuring that nutritive fubftance which when dry refem- 

 blescheefe, and is found at the bottom of the lake. In this manner of 

 proceeding twelve or thirteen days had now pafTed, our lives therefore 

 exceeded the date allowed them by the prediction of the Mexican priefts. 

 This gave our allies courage, and in compliance with the requifition of 

 our fteady friend Suchel, two thoufand warriors from Tezcuco returned 

 to us. There came with them Captain Pedro Sanchez Farfan, and An- 

 thonio de Villaroel, afterwards married to La Ojeda, who had been left 

 behind in Tezeuco. Many bodies alfo of our Tlafcalan and other allies 

 arrived about the fame time. Cortes having fummoned their chiefs, 

 made them a fpeech, pardy of reprimand and partly of hopes and pro- 

 mifes, concluding it with an admonition to them not to put to death any 

 oC the Mexicans, as it was his wifli to negociate for peace. 



The heavy rains at this feafon of the year were much in our favor, 

 the enemy ^al way s:!relaxirrg in their exertions when they came on. We 



had 



