( 307 ) 



grown ; I could not have believed it had I not feen it with my own eyes 

 in three days after, when our party had advanced near enough to get a 

 view of them, after having filled two canals. I recognifed the features 

 of three of our friends, and the tears came into my eyes at the fight. 

 In twelve days they were all buried by us in that which is now named 

 the church of the martyrs. 



The detachment of Alvarado continued to advance, and after an 

 engagement of two hours forced the enemy from their barricades in the 

 great fquare. The cavalry now rendered good fervice in the open fpace, 

 and the enemy were driven before us into the temple of the war god. 

 Alvarado divided his forces into three bodies, and while he occupied the 

 attention of the enemy with two, he ordered the third, commanded by 

 Gutierre de Badajoz, to drive them from, and take poffeffion of the 

 great temple. The enemy, headed by their priefts, occupied the ado- 

 ratories or fanduaries of their idols, and repulfed our troops, driving 

 them down the fteps ; which being obferved by Alvarado, he then fent 

 us to fupport them, and on our arrival, having afcended to the top, we 

 completely drove the enemy from that port ; having done which, we 

 fet fire to the images of their falfe gods, and planted our ftandard on the 

 fummit of the temple. The view of this fignal of vidtory rejoiced Cor« 

 tes, who would fain have joined us, but he had it not in his power. 

 He was then diftant a quarter of a league, and had many ditches to fill 

 as he advanced. In four days from this time, both he and Sandoval had 

 worked their way to us, and the communications to the three pofts were 

 opened through the centre of the city of Mexico. This attack upon 

 the temple was truly perilous ; the edifice was very lofty, and the ene- 

 my numerous and they continued to engage us on the flat ground at 

 the fummit, from the time that we had fet fire to the idols and their 

 adoratories, until night. The royal palaces were now levelled to the 

 ground, Guatimotzin and his troops having retired to a quarter of the 

 city more diftant from the centre, and towards the lake. 



Still they attacked us in the day, and at night purfued us to our 

 Rr a quarters, 



