404 



HISTORY OF MEXICO. 



tude his brother Cuitlahuatzin, commanding the Mexi- 

 can troops. At the light of fo many objects of misfor- 

 tune, his mind was feized with a crowd of melancholy 

 thoughts. On the one hand, he faw the danger he 

 was in of lofing both his crown and his life; and on the 

 other, the deftruction of the buildings of his capital, the 

 flau^hter of his vaffals, and the fuccefs of his enemies; 

 and found there was no other remedy to all thofe evils 

 but the immediate departure of the Spaniards. In thefe 

 meditations he paffed the night, and the day following 

 he fent early for Cortes, and fpoke to him on the fub- 

 ject, praying him earneftly not to defer any longer his 

 removal from that City. Cortes required no fuch entreaty 

 to refolve upon his retreat from it. He found provi- 

 fions werefcantyin extreme; food was given to the fol- 

 diers by meafure, and that fo little, it was fufficient only 

 to fupport life, not the ftrength neceffary to oppofe fuch 

 enemies as incelfantly haraffed them. In fhort he faw it 

 was impoffible to render himfelf matter of that city as he 

 intended, nor could he even fubfift there. But on the 

 other hand, he felt no fmall regret to abandon the un- 

 dertaking he had begun, lofing in one moment, by his 

 departure, all the advantages which his courage, his in- 

 duftry, and his good fortune had gained him; but fub- 

 mitting to the circumftances of his fituation, he anfwered 

 the king, that he was ready to depart for the peace of the 

 kingdom, provided his fubje&s would lay down their 

 arms. 



This conference was hardly ended, when " To arms" 

 was cried through the quarters, on account of a gene- 

 ral affault of the Mexicans. On every fide they attempt- 

 ed to mount the walls, on purpofe to enter, while fome 

 troops of archers, conveniently ported, fliot an immenfe 



multitude 



