HISTORY OF MEXICO. 



407 



plain to them becaufe he was afraid of their arms, but 

 becaufe he was pained to be obliged to kill fo many of 

 them, and deftroy fo beautiful a city. The nobles went 

 away, repeating their menaces. 



The three warlike machines being at length finiflied, 

 Cortes went out with them early on the 28th of June, 

 and proceeded through one of the principal flreets of the 

 city with three thoufand Tlafcalans and other auxiliary 

 troops, with the greater part of the Spaniards, and ten 

 pieces of artillery. When they came to the bridge over 

 the firft canal, they drew the machines and fcaling-lad- 

 ders near to the houfes, in order to drive the crowds 

 from the terraces ; but the Hones were fo many and fo 

 large which were thrown at the machines, that they 

 broke through them. The Spaniards fought courage* 

 oufly until mid -day, without being able to take pofTeffion 

 of the bridge ; on which account they returned in fhame 

 to their quarters, leaving one man killed, and carrying 

 back many wounded. 



The Mexicans having been greatly encouraged by this 

 laft event, five hundred nobles fortified themfelves in the 

 upper area of the greater temple, well furnifhed with 

 arms and provifions, and from thence began to do great 

 damage to the Spaniards with ftones and arrows, while 

 other Mexican troops attacked them by the ftreets. 

 Cortes fent a captain with a hundred foldiers to drive 

 the nobles from that ftation, which being fo very high 

 and neighbouring, entirely commanded the quarters ; 

 but having made three different attempts to afcend there, 

 they were vigoroufly repulfed. The general then de- 

 termined to make the affault upon the temple himfelf, al- 

 though he flill fufFered from a fevere wound he had re- 

 ceived in his left hand ever fince the firft engagement. 



He 



