( 306 ) 



more peaceable than warlike, and of the happieft effed for us, Sandoval 

 returning accompanied by two chiefs of the nation he had marched 

 againft. His return was very fudden, in order to protedT our pofts, 

 which were in a moft perilous way ; for this draft had difmantled them, 

 as he had with him every man really fit for duty, being twenty cavalfy 

 and eighty infantry. However he by his expedition faved both our al- 

 lies and us. 



Cortes now again fent an embalTy to Guatimotzin, faying he had 

 his Monarch's orders to fave if pofTible that fine city ; he reminded Gu- 

 atimotzin of the diflrefs of the wretched people, and to convince him 

 that he had no hope from his allies, he fent the meflage by the two 

 chiefs who accompanied Sandoval. The Mexican monarch returned no 

 anfwer, except ordering the ambaffadors immediately to quit the city. 

 The enemy now increafed every day the fury of their attacks ; their ex- 

 preflions were, "Tenitoz re de Caflilla! Tenitoz Axaca?" which means, 

 " what fays the king of Caflille? what does he now?" We ftill con- 

 tinued advancing towards the heart of the city , and obferved that not- 

 withflanding the rage with which they aflailed us, for it feemed as if 

 they wifhed to meet their deaths, there was not fo much movement 

 among them as formerly, nor did they fo bufily employ themfelves in 

 opening the ditches. We alfo had caufe for refledion of a lefs pleafant 

 nature which was, that our powder was almofi: reduced to nothing. 

 At this moment moil fortunately, arrived at the port of Villa Rica, a 

 vefTel with foldiers and ordnance ftores, one of an armament fitted out 

 by the Licentiate Lucas Vafquez de Aillon, which had been deftroyed 

 or difperfed near the Iflands of Florida. The relief and reinforcement 

 were immediately forwarded to Cortes, by his lieutenant, Rangel. 

 It was now determined by Cortes and all the army to pufh for the great 

 place or Taltelulcot of the city, on account of the principal temples and 

 ftrong buildings being thefe. Each of our detachments therefore ad- 

 vanced for the purpofe. Cortes got pofTeflion of a fmall fquare at which 

 were fome temples ; in thofe temples were beams whereon were placed 

 the heads of many of our foldiers ; their hair and beards had much 



grown i 



