C 305 ) 



promifes of vidoiy they had obtained from their gods. Guatimotzin 

 then expreffed his determination to fight to the laft man and gave orders 

 to fpare the provifions as much as poffible, to fink wells in various pla- 

 ces, and to endeavour to obtain fupplies by night. 



Our army remained at their pofts for two days quietly, expelling 

 the anfwer from Mexico. We were then attacked at all points by great 

 bodies of the enemy, who fell on us like lions, clofing upon and endea- 

 vouring to feize us in their hands, whenever the horn of Guatimotzin 

 was founded. For feven days were we thus engaged, watching in a 

 body during the night, at day break going into adion, fighting during 

 the day, and in the evening retiring to confole ourfelves with our mifery 

 of maize cakes, agi or pepper, tunas, and herbs. Our offer of peace 

 only ferved for new matter for the enemy to revile us on, reproachmg 

 us as cowards, and faying, that peace was for women and arms for 

 men. 



It has been mentioned that the wretched rerhains of our country- 

 men were fent round to different provinces, to fummon and encourage 

 them to come to the aid of the Mexicans. In confequence, a force af- 

 fembled from Matalzingo, Malinalco, and other places at the diffance 

 of eight leagues from Mexico, to fall on our rear, while the 

 enemy from the city attacked us in front. When they had affembled 

 as above mentioned, they began to commit outrages upon the country 

 between them and us, feizing the children in order to facrifice. Com- 

 plaints of this coming to Cortes,, he detached Andres de Tapia with 

 twenty cavalry and one hundred infantry againft the enemy. This 

 officer executed his miffion completely, driving them back to their own 

 country with lofs. 



Cortes then fent Sandoval to affift the people of the diftrid called 

 by us Cuernabaca, who were attacked in the fame manner. There is 

 much to fay in refped; to this expedition; too much indeed to be able 

 to do juffice to it without going into the details; fuffice it that it was 



Rr more 



