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e have, however, obtained satisfactory proof that no guilt can be
imputed to Motecusuma respecting the hostilities which subsequently
burst out: on the contrary, he commanded the Mexicans not to attack
Alvarado, but they replied that they could no longer endure to see him
kept in confinement, and their countrymen murdered in the midst of
their festivities. They were determined to set him at liberty, and to
kill every teule who resisted them.

These and many other facts I learnt from credible persons who were
present with Alvarado all the time. I have now, however, to speak of the
terrible battles which we fought in this city.

[86] A formal inquiry was made into this circumstance, by order of
Charles the Fifth. The excellent Bartholomew de las Casas gave judgment,
and he pronounced the Mexicans entirely innocent of having had any
intention to massacre the troops under Alvarado, but that the latter had
massacred the Mexicans without any provocation, merely for the purpose
of striking terror among them. In pronouncing this judgment, however,
Las Casas may have been carried away by his excessive zeal for humanity
towards the Indians. Herrera (Historia de las Indias occidentales,
decade ii, b. x,) says: "The fact, however, is, that the Mexicans
intended to have murdered all the Spaniards on this occasion; for which
purpose they had concealed their arms in the buildings adjoining the
temple. This was told the Spaniards by the women, from whom they always
learnt the truth." (p. 336.)

CHAPTER CXXVI.

 _How the Mexicans made war upon us, and the battles we fought with
 them._

Cortes, on his march to Mexico, had often bragged to his officers of the
great authority and power he then possessed. They should see how the
inhabitants would come out from all parts to meet him, and receive him
with every splendour; that he was now complete master of Mexico, and
Motecusuma and his grandees would not dare to dispute his commands
henceforth, but would bring him gold in abundance.

But when Cortes found how the aspect of affairs had changed at Tezcuco,
that no one stirred a foot to give the splendid reception he had boasted
of, that none of the principal personages showed themselves, that even
the worst of provisions were brought him with great reluctance, and
found this ill feeling towards us show itself even more strongly in
Mexico, and that although he had returned with additional troops, the
inhabitants no longer furnished him with provisions, his pride turned
into moroseness and anger, so much so that when Motecusuma sent two of
his grandees to announce that he was desirous of paying Cortes a visit,
as he had something to communicate to him, he said, "He might go to the
devil! since he would not allow any weekly markets to be held, nor any
provisions to be sent us."

When our other chief officers, Leon, Oli, Avila, and Lugo heard this,
they said to him, "Moderate your anger, general, and remember what great
honours this monarch has heaped upon us, the kindnesses we have received
from him, and how amiable his disposition is: for, had he not existed,
the Mexicans would long ago have feasted on our bodies; nor ought you to
forget that he has sought your alliance by offering you his daughter in
marriage."

These words carried with them the idea of a reproach, and, consequently,
only served the more to embitter his feelings, and he burst out as
follows: "Why should I stand upon any further ceremony with this dog?
Did he not secretly connive with Narvaez, and now refuses us
provisions?"

"Our opinion is," returned the other officers, "that he does nothing
more than his present situation would prompt him to do, and that he acts
most prudently."

Cortes, however, relied upon the strength of his troops, and would not
allow his anger to be pacified in any way, but commissioned the two
Mexican grandees to tell their master that he must issue immediate
orders for the re-opening of the markets, otherwise he should find
himself obliged to take other steps. Both these Mexicans had understood
the reviling language used by Cortes against their monarch, and also how
our other officers had remonstrated with him on that account. They knew
these officers well; for they had by turns been captains of the guard
which was placed over their monarch's person, and knew they were greatly
attached to him. They therefore repaired, either in the bitterness of
their hearts, or because the attack upon us had already been determined
upon, and related to Motecusuma what they had heard; and scarcely a
quarter of an hour had elapsed before one of our men came running up
heavily wounded. He had been at Tlacupa, a town near Mexico, to fetch
thence some women belonging to Cortes' household, and the daughter of
Motecusuma, whom Cortes had given in charge of the king of Tlacupa, her
relative, when we marched against Narvaez. This man also related that he
had found the town of Tlacupa and the high road filled with warriors.
They took the women away and wounded him in two different places. If he
had not escaped out of their hands, they would have thrown him into a
canoe, and have sacrificed him to their gods. They had also destroyed
one of the bridges over the causeway.

When Cortes and some of us soldiers heard this, we began to look very
serious, for those among us who had been several times engaged with the
Indians knew, from experience, with what vast crowds they always entered
the field of battle, and, although our numbers had been greatly
augmented, and that there was little doubt but we should defend
ourselves courageously, yet we were well aware of our dangerous
position. We soldiers also knew that we should run great risk of losing
our lives either from hunger or from the advantages which the enemy
would have over us in such a strongly fortified city. Cortes, after
questioning the man who had come from Tlacupa, despatched Ordas with 400
men, mostly armed with crossbows and muskets, and a few horse, to see
what truth there was in his statement. He recommended him, however, to
avoid, if possible, all hostilities, and to settle the affair amicably.
Ordas had scarcely reached half-way down the causeway when he was met by
a vast body of Mexicans, who, with those posted on the tops of the
houses, attacked him so furiously that eight of his men were killed at
the first onset, and most of them wounded, Ordas himself in three
several places. He found it impossible to move on any further, and he
therefore gradually retreated to our quarters. On his retreat he lost
another excellent soldier named Lezcano, who had done wonders with his
broadsword.

If the body of warriors was vast which had fallen upon Ordas, that which
at the same instant attacked our quarters was by far more so; and so
vigorously did they assail us with lances, arrows, and stones, that, in
an instant, forty of our men were wounded, twelve of whom subsequently
died. The numbers who attacked us in front, from behind, and from the
tops of the houses, were so vast

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