( 3-6 ) 



Cortes now took leave of his allies, the Tlafcalan chiefs, and alfo 

 of Suchel otherwife Don Carlos, a veiy brave man, as was another, a 

 captain of fome city near the lake the name of which I forget; but he 

 did wonders. Many others who had rendered us mofl: important fervi-' 

 ces departed at the fame time. Cortes difmiffed them all to their homes 

 with many embraces, thanks, and compliments, promifing that he 

 would foon make them rich, and great lords, and give them lands and 

 vafTals, fo that they took their departure in high fpirits. They had 

 however fecured fomething more fubftantial than promifes, for they 

 were well loaden with the plunder of Mexico, nor were they behind the 

 enemy in their cannibal feafls, carrying with them portions preferved, 

 to fupply their friends on their return home. 



Now that I am paft thefe furious combats, through which, prai- 

 fed be God he was pleafed to condud: me fafe, I have to mention a cer- 

 tain particularity relative to myfelf, and it is this. When I faw the fa- 

 crifice of our feventy two countrymen, and their hearts taken out and 

 offered to the war god of the Mexicans, I had a fenfation of fear. Some 

 may confider this as want of firmnefs; but if they weigh it duly, they 

 will find that it was in truth the refult of too much courage, which 

 caufed me to run into extreme and uncommon dangers ; for in that day 

 I confidered myfelf a moft valiant foldier, and was fa efteemed by all ; 

 and was ufed to do that which was attempted by the boldefl:, and I was 

 always under the eye of my captain. As I have before obferved, when 

 I faw my companions facrificed, their hearts taken out palpitating, and 

 their legs and arms cut off and eaten, I feared it might one day or other 

 be my own lot, for they had me in their hands twice, but it was God's 

 will that I fhould efcape; but I remembered, and thought on what I 

 had feen, and from this time I feared that cruel death; and this I men- 

 tion, becaufe before I went into battle, I felt a great depreffion and un- 

 eafinefs about my heart, and then recommending myfelf to God and his 

 bleffed mother our Lady, the inftant I was engaged with the enemy it 

 left me. Still I am furprifed that it came upon me when I fhould have 

 felt more valiant than ever, on account of the many battles in which 1 



had 



