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It is therefore not extraordinary if I relate the battles in which I fought, 

 that in future ages it fhould be faid, "thus did BernalDiaz delCaftillo," in 

 order that my fons and their pofterity fhould enjoy the praifes of their 

 anceftor, in the manner that many cavaliers and lords of vafTals in the 

 prefent day, do the fames and blazons of their predecefTors. I will 

 however drop this fubjed: left the detracting malicious, to whomthefe 

 things are odious, fhould charge me with digrefling too much. There 

 are alfo conquerors now living to contradict me if I were in error, and 

 the world is fo malevolent that any fuch thing could hardly pafs with- 

 out animadverfion ; but the narrative itfelf is the belt teftimony of its 

 veracity. 



I will now enumerate and particularife the various battles and other 

 matters of warfare in which I was prefent. They are as follows. At 

 the point of Cotoche, with Captain F. H. de Cordova. At Champo- 

 ton, a battle, wherein half our companions were killed. In Florida, 

 where we landed to procure water. Under Captain J. de Grijalva, a 

 fecond battle in Champoton. In my third voyage under Cortes, at 

 Tabafco, two pitched battles. On our arrival in New Spain, the 

 battle of Cingapacinga. Shortly after, three pitched battles with the 

 Tlafcalans. The affair of Cholula. On our entry into Mexico I was 

 at the feizure of Montezuma; I do not mention it as an affair of war, 

 but on account of its great boldnefs. In four months after, the attack 

 upon Narvaez whom we under Cortes defeated with two hundred and 

 feventy fix men, he having one thoufand three hundred. The relief of 

 Alvarado who was befieged by the Mexicans, when they made war 

 upon us during eight days and nights, and killed above eight hundred 

 and feventy foldiers ; I confider fix battles as having happened during 

 this period, at which I was prefent. The battle of Obtumba. A battle 

 at Tepeaca. Under Cortes a battle at Tezcuco. Two field battles, in 

 one of which I was wounded in the throat by a lance. Two adtions 

 concerning the fields of maize. In the expedition round the lake when 

 we made that rafli and inconfideratc attack upon the fortrelTes named the 



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