Chapter X: Part 10

_Cortes_ procured to knowe the principall cause of the insurrection of the _Mexican Indians_, and hauing a generall daye of hearyng, the charge béeyng layde against them, some sayd, that it was through the letters and persuasion of _Naruaez_: Others aunswered, their desire and meaning was, to expell the straungers, according to agréemente made, for in theyr skirmishes they cryed nothing but gette you hence, get you hence: Other sayde, that they pretended the libertie of _Mutezuma_, for in theyr Combates they woulde saye, lette goe oure God and Kyng, if you list not to bée slayne. Others sayde, that they were Théeues, and hadde robbed theyr golde and plate from them, whyche was in valewe more than seauen hundred thousande duckettes: Others cryed, héere shall you leaue the golde that you haue taken from vs. Others sayde, that they coulde not abyde the syghte of the _Tlaxcaltecas_, and other theyr mortall enimies. Manye beléeued that the mutinye was for throwyng downe theyr Goddes and Idolles: each of these causes were sufficient to rebell, how muche more altogither.

But the chiefest and most principall cause was, that after the departure of _Cortes_ towarde _Naruaez_, happened a solemne holiday, whiche the _Mexicans_ were wont to celebrate, and desiring to obserue the same, as they were wont to do, they came and besoughte Captayne _Aluarado_ to graunt them licence, & not to ymagine that they were ioyned togither to kill the Spanyardes. _Aluarado_ gaue them licence, with such conditions, that in their Sacrifice shoulde no mans bloude be spilte, nor yet to weare anye weapon.

At this feast, sixe hundred Gentlemen and principall persons ioyned togither in the greate temple: some doe saye, that they were more than a thousande persons of greate estate, but that nighte they made a maruellous great noyse, with cornets, shels, clouen bones, wherewith they made a straunge musicke: they celebrated the feast, their naked bodyes couered with telc, made and wrought with precious stones, collers, girdels, bracelettes, and many other iewels of golde, siluer, and aliofar, with gallant tuffes of feathers on their heads. They daunced a daunce called _Mazeualiztli_, which is to say, deserte wyth payne, and so they call _Mazauali_ a husbandman. Thys daunce is like _Netoraliztli_, which is another daunce. The manner is, that they lay mattes in the Temple yarde, and with the sounde of their Drummes, called _Atabals_, they daunce a round, hande in hande, some singing, and others answere, which songs were in y^e honor and prayse of the God or Saincte, whose feast it is, hoping for thys seruice to haue rayne, corne, healthe, victory, peace, chyldren, or anye other thing that they maye wishe for, or desire.

[Sidenote: A couetous desire and a vile.]

These _Indian_ Gentlemen being occupied in their daunsing and ceremonies, it fortuned that _Pedro de Aluarado_ went to the Temple of _Vitzilopuchtli_ to beholde theyr doings, and whether his goyng was of his owne accorde, or by the consent of his cöpany I am not certaine, although some saye that he was aduised howe the mutinie was there conspired, as after did follow: others holde opinion, that their onely goyng to the Temple was to beholde the maruaylous and straunge daunce. And then seying them so richely attyred, they coueted their Golde and Iewels whiche they were, and besieged the Temple with tenne Spaniardes at each dore, & the Captayne entred in, with fiftie men, and without any Christian respect slewe and murdered them al, and tooke from them all their treasure. Although this facte séemed odious vnto _Cortes_, yet he dissimuled the mater, for feare least he shoulde hurte his owne procéedings, as time did then require knowyng not, what néede he might haue of them, but especially to auoyde contention among his company.

The threatenings of the Mexicans _agaynst the Spaniardes_.

The cause of this rebellion, beyng well knowen, _Cortes_ demaunded how theyr enimies fought, mary (quoth they) after they had taken weapon agaynst vs for the space of ten dayes arew, they neuer seased with great fury to assaulte and cöbat our house, and we with feare least _Mutezuma_ shoulde escape and flée vnto _Naruaez_, durst not goe out of dores to fight in the streate, but onely to defende the house with especiall care of _Mutezuma_, accordyng to your charge giuen vnto vs. Also we being but few and the _Indians_ many, who still refreshed their men, they did not onely wery vs, but also put vs in great feare and cleane out of courage, yea and if at the greatest brunt, _Mutezuma_ personally had not ascended to the toppe of our wal, commaunding them if euer they meant to sée him aliue, to stay and cease from their enterpryce.

At the sight of _Mutezuma_ they were all amazed, and incontinent ceased the combat and assault. They sayde also that with the newes of the victory had agaynst _Pamfilo de Naruaez_, _Mutezuma_ requyred his men to leaue off from theyr pretence: notwithstandyng, the _Indians_ calling to remembraunce, that _Cortes_ was cöming with a greater company, at whose returne they should haue the more to doe, began afreshe to assaulte the house, wherevppon some doe thinke, that it was agaynst the will of _Mutezuma_. But it followed, that one day the Spaniardes standing in greate perill, charged their greatest péece of ordinaunce, and gyuing fire, the péece discharged not: the _Indians_ seyng the same, beganne a freshe with a marueylous terrible noyse, vsing staues, Bowes, lances, & stones that came as thicke as Hayle, saying, nowe will wée redéeme our King, sette our houses at libertie, and reuenge our iniuries. But in the middest of theyr fury the péece wente of, without any more prymyng or touche, with a greate and fearefull thunderyng, the péece beyng great and ful of hayle shotte, with the mayne pellotte, made a straunge spoyle among them, and with feare they retyred. But yet they beganne to say, well, well, shortely shall your fleshe be boyled, although wée meane not to eate it, for truely it is very carrayne and good for nothing. But yet we will bestowe the same vpon the Eagles, Lions, Tigres and Snakes, who shal be the graues for your filthy carcases.

But if forthwith ye let not _Mutezuma_ departe, and restore him to his libertie, yée shall quickly haue your rewarde, for your presumption & pride, who durst be so bold, as to lay hande on _Mutezuma_ being our God and Lorde that giueth vs our dayly foode. And yet yée with your filthy théeues handes presumed to touch him, oh why dothe not the earth open & swallow you which taketh other mës goodes? But marke the end, for our Gods whose religion you did profane, will rewarde you according to your deserte: & if they do not shortly execute their wrath, then let vs alone, for we will out of hande make an ende of you. And as for those théeues and villaines of _Tlaxcallan_ your slaues, shall not depart praysing their gaynes, who nowe presume to take their maisters wiues, ye and to demaund tribute of them, vnto whome they themselues are tributors. These & such like were the wordes of the _Mexicans_. But our men, although they were in a maruelous feare, yet they reprehended their folly as touchyng _Mutezuma_, saying that _Mutezuma_ was no God, but a mortall mä as they were, and no better, and that their Gods were vayne idols, and their religion most false and abhominable, and that only our God was holy, iuste, true, and infinite.

The great extremitie and daunger that _our men were put in by the Mexicans_.

In hearyng the former talke in defense of the house, and prouiding of things necessary, the night passed away. And in the mornyng to proue the _Mexicans_ intent, _Cortes_ commaunded the market to be vsed as in time past. _Aluarado_ wished _Cortes_ to shew himself toward him as agrieued & not well pleased, makyng as though he would apprehend & correct him for the things passed, thinking that _Mutezuma_ and his men would haue entreated for him. _Cortes_ passed not for that talke, saying that they were infidels, diuelish and wicked people, with whome suche complementes shoulde not bée vsed.

But he commaunded a certaine principal Gentleman of _Mexico_, who stoode there presente, that out of hande he should commaunde the market to be furnished as in time past. This _Indian_ vnderstäding that _Cortes_ had spoken euil of them, made as though he went to fulfill his commandment: but he wente to proclayme libertie, publishyng the heynous and iniurious wordes whiche he had harde, so that in shorte space the matter beganne to waxe hoate, for some went and brake downe the bridges, others went to call all the Citizens, who ioyned themselues togither, and besieged the Spaniardes house, with suche straunge noyse that one coulde not heare another: the stones flewe lyke hayle, Dartes and arrowes filled the Spanyardes yarde, which troubled them much. _Cortes_ seing this broyle, he with certaine of his men went out at one dore, and an other Captayne at another, with eache of them twoo hundred men. They fought with the _Indians_, who slewe foure Spaniardes, and wounded many moe, and of them were slayne very fewe with their succor and defence at hande. If our men fought with them in the streates, then would they stoppe their passage at the bridges: if they assaulted their houses, then they were beaten with stones from the toppe of their houses whiche were flatte ruffed, and at their retire they persecuted them terribly.

They sette fire vpon the Spaniardes house in sundry places, but chiefly in one place they coulde not aplake the fire a great whyle, vntill they threwe downe certayne chambers and walles, whereas they had entered at pleasure, had it not bene for the Artillerie, Crossebowes and handgunnes, which were there in defence of that place. This combat endured all that day vntill night, yea and in the night also they had their handes full: our men had litle leasure to sleepe, but rather spente the night in mendyng the walles and dores, and curing the wounded men who were more than foure score, & likewise to set their men in order & readinesse for the fight of the next day following.

[Sidenote: A straunge inuention.]

It was no sooner day, but the _Indians_ beganne theyr assault a fresh, with more courage and furie than the day before, so that our men were fayne to trust to their artillery, the whiche the _Indians_ feared not a whitte: for if a shotte carried ten, fiftene or twentie _Indians_ at a clappe, they would close againe as though one man had not bene missyng. _Cortes_ came out with other twoo hundreth men, and gate some bridges, burned some houses, and slew many that defended them. But the _Indians_ were so many in number, that no hurte appeared, yea and our men were so fewe in comparison of them, that although they fought al the day, yet had they much a doe to defend themselues, how much more to offende. That day neuer a Spaniarde was slayne outright, but thrée score of them were wounded and hurte, wherby they had inough to do to cure them for that night, and to procure remedy and defence against the hurtes whiche they receyued from the house toppes. They inuented Engines of timber made vpon whéeles, and foure square, couered on the toppe, and with Arte to passe through the streates: there were placed on eache of them twentie men with Pikes, Hargabush, Crossebowes and one double Base. Behinde the Engines wente men with shouels and Mattockes, to throwe downe houses, bulworkes, and to rule and gouerne the Engines.

The death of Mutezuma.

All the while that the Engines were a makyng, our men came not out to fight, beyng occupied in the worke, but onely to defende their lodgyng. The enimies thinkyng that they were all sore hurte and wounded, beganne their warres agayne, reuilyng them with many iniurious wordes, threatnyng them, that if they woulde not deliuer _Mutezuma_, that they woulde giue them the moste cruellest death that euer man suffered, and came with great force to haue entred the house.

_Cortes_ desired _Mutezuma_ to goe vp into the sotie, which is the toppe of the flatte roufe of the house, and to commaunde his subiects to ceasse from their heate and furie. At _Cortes_ his request he wente vp, and leaned ouer the wall to talke with them, who beginnyng to speake vnto them, they threw so many stones out of the streate, houses and windowes, that one happened to hitte _Mutezuma_ on the temples of his head, with whiche blowe he fell downe to the ground: this was his ende, euen at the handes of his owne subiectes and vassalles agaynst theyr willes: for the truth is that a Spaniarde helde a Target ouer his head, wherby they knew him not, nor yet would beléeue that he was there, for all the signes and tokens whiche were made vnto them. _Cortes_ forthwith published the hurte and daunger of life of _Mutezuma_: some gaue credite to his tale, and othersome woulde not, but rather fought very stoutly. Thrée dayes _Mutezuma_ remayned in extréeme payne, and at the ende departed his life.

And bicause it shoulde appeare that his death was of the stripe that they had giuen, and not by any hurte receyued at their hands, he caused two gentlemë of _Mexico_, who were prysoners, to carry him out vpon their backes, who certified the Citizens of the certentie of his death, that at that presente time were giuyng battery to the house. But yet for all this they woulde not leaue off the combat, nor yet the warres, as some of our men thought they woulde, but rather procéeded on their purpose, with greater courage and desire of reuenge. And when they retyred, they made a pityfull lamentation, with preparation to bury their king in _Chapultepec_. On this sorte died _Mutezuma_, who was holden for a God among the _Indians_. Some say that hée desired to be Baptised at the Shrouetide before his death, and they prolonged the matter, thinking at Easter followyng to haue christened him with honour and triumph. But as it happened, it had bene better to haue done it at that time according to his request. But with the comming of _Pamfilo de Naruaez_ the thyng was also delayed, and after hée was wounded it was likewyse forgotten, with the troubles that they were in. It was credibly enformed, that _Mutezuma_ was neuer consentyng to the death of any Spaniarde, nor yet in conspiracie agaynst _Cortes_, but rather loued him entierly: yet some are of an other opinion, and bothe giue good reasons to approue their arguments, but the truth could not wel be knowen, for at that tyme our men vnderstoode not the language, and agayne _Mutezuma_ after his death, lefte none to open that secrete.

The _Indians_ affirme that he was of the greatest bloud of all his linage, and the greatest kyng in estate, that euer was in _Mexico_. It is also to be noted, that when the kingdomes do most florish, then are they niest to a chäge, or else to change their Lorde, as doth appeare in this history of _Mutezuma_. Our men lost more by y^e death of _Mutezuma_ than the natural _Indians_, if we cösider the murder and destruction that incontinent did follow. _Mutezuma_ was a man very moderate in his diet, and not so vicious as other _Indiäs_, although he had many wiues. He was also liberal and frée harted: he was estéemed for a very wise man, in my iudgement he was eyther wise in lettyng things passe after that sorte, or else a very foole, that did not vnderstande their doings: he was as deuoute as warlyke, for he had bene presente in many battayles: it is reported that he wanne and had victory in nine battayles, & also other nine times victorie man for man in the fielde, he reygned seuentene yeares and certaine moneths.

The combat betvveene the Spaniardes _and the Indians_.

After the death of _Mutezuma_, _Cortes_ sente vnto his Neuewes, and to the other noblemen who mainteyned the warres, desiryng thë to come and speake with him, and they came, vnto whome _Cortes_ spake from the wall where _Mutezuma_ was slayne, saying, that it were méete that they should ceasse from warre, and to chose another king, and also to burie the dead, and that he woulde come to his buriall as his friende: likewise he signified vnto them, that for the loue he bare vnto _Mutezuma_ who had intreated for them, he had stayed from the finall spoyle of the cittie, & correction of them for their rebellion and obstinacie. But now that he had not vnto whome to haue respect, he woulde bothe burne their houses, and chasten them, if that they submitted not themselues to his friendship.

They answered, that they woulde neyther leaue the warres, nor yet estéeme his friëdship, vntill they saw thëselues in their libertie, and their wrongs wholly reuenged, yea and that without his counsell they coulde elect the King vnto whom of right y^e kingdome did apertaine. And sithens the Gods hath taken our welbeloued _Mutezuma_, we will giue his body a Sepulchre, as vnto such a King doth apperteyne: yea and if he would goe and beare his friend _Mutezuma_ company to the Gods, that then he should come forth, and they would quickly dispatch him: and as for the residue, they would haue rather warre thä peace, yea and that they were not menne that did yéelde with wordes. Also séeing their King was dead, for whose respecte they ceassed to burne their houses, rost their bodyes, and eate their fleshe, but nowe (quoth they) if ye depart not, we will not dally long time with you.

[Sidenote: A valiant man.]

_Cortez_ finding them stoute and stubborne, liked not the bargaine. Againe, he knewe well that their meaning was, that if they hadde departed from the Citie, to haue spoyled and murthered them by the way. And séeing that their liues, rule and gouernement consisted in strength of hand and good courage, he came forth in a morning with the thrée engines, foure péeces of Ordinance, and fiue hüdred Spanyards, and thrée thousand _Tlaxcaltecas_, to fighte with the enimies, and to burne and spoyle their houses. They broughte the engines néere vnto certaine greate houses which stoode néere vnto a bridge, casting theyr scaling ladders on the walles, and so gote vp to the toppe where manye people were, and there combated awhile, but shortly turned to their forte againe, without doing any greate hurte, with one Spanyarde slayne, and manye wounded, and also the engines broken and spoyled, yea the multitude of _Indians_ were so thicke, and flewe vppon the Ordinance in suche sorte, that they had no leysure to discharge them. The stones came also so thicke from the house toppes, that the engines were soone at an ende. And the Citizens hauing housed them againe in the forte and lodging, began to amende the hurt done in their houses, and to recouer the stréetes that were lost: also y^e great Temple, in the Tower whereof, fiue hundred principall men hadde fortifyed themselues wyth vittayles, stones, and long Launces, piked with yron and flint stone verye sharp, but truly they did most hurt with stones. This Tower was high and strong, as I haue before declared, and stoode néere vnto the Spanyardes forte, whiche from that tower receiued muche hurt. Although _Cortes_ was somewhat sadde and heauie, yet he ceassed not like a good Captayne to comfort and encourage his menne, and alwayes was the firste man at any brunt or assay, and hys heart coulde not permitte him to remaine penned vp in that fort, wherefore he toke thrée hundred Spanyardes, and went to assiege the high tower. Thrée or foure dayes he ceassed not that enterprise, but coulde not come to the toppe, being so high a thing, and manye persons in defence of the same, well prouided, with fitte munition for the purpose, so that our men came dayly tumbling downe the stayres, flying to their house with broken pates, so that our Spanyardes dysmayed more and more, and many murmured at the matter: you may well iudge howe _Cortes_ his heart was afflighted, for the _Indians_ encreased still in courage, hauing the better hand, and dayly victory from the high Tower. But nowe _Cortes_ determined to leaue his house, and not to returne therevnto agayne, vntill he had wonne the Tower. He bounde his Target to his arme whiche had bin hurt before, and beséeged the Tower againe with many of his men, _Tlaxcaltecas_ and other friends, and many times, although they were beaten downe, arose agayne, succoring one another, tyll at length they gote to the toppe, and there foughte with the _Indians_, till some of them lept out of the Tower, and stood hanging vpon the listes of the wall, which were thrée in number, the one higher than the other, and a foote broad. Some fell downe to the ground, who besides their falles, were receyued vpon the swordes poynt, and in this sorte they left none aliue. Thrée houres they fought on the top of the Tower, bycause y^e multitude of _Indians_ wer great. In conclusion, the whole fiue hundred men there dyed very valiantly, and if their weapon and knowledge had bin equall, the victory had bin doubtfull. _Cortes_ set fire on all the Chappels, and other thrée Chappels, where infinite Idols were, yet those sely _Indians_ lost no poynte of courage with the losse of their Temple and Gods, which touched them at the hearte, but rather began with more furie to assault the Spanish house.

Hovv the Mexicans refused the offer _of peace made by Cortez_.

_Cortez_ considering the great multitude of _Indians_ his enimies, and also the greate courage, with desire of reuengement: and waying also how his men were weake and wéeryed with fight, yet (I may say) with great desire to goe frö thence, if that the Citizens would haue suffered them: he began againe to require them with peace, and to desire them of truce, saying vnto them also, that they should consider, how that many of their side were slayne, and yet they coulde kill none of them. They béeing more hard harted than before, answered that they vtterly refused his offer, saying, that they neuer woulde haue peace with those who had slained their men and burned their Gods: yea (quoth they) and although some of vs are killed, yet wée also do both kill and hurt, for ye are mortall men, and not immortall, as we are: beholde ye also the number of vs, vpon _Zoties_, in windowes and stréetes: assure youre selues there are thrée tymes as manye within the houses. So wée shall sooner make an ende of you by kyllyng one and one, than you shall doe of vs by killing a thousande by thousande, or ten thousand by ten thousand: for ending all these whome you sée, there wyll come so many more, and after them so manye more: but if ye were once killed, there woulde come no more Spanyardes, yea and when oure weapons can not throughly destroy you, that then we will sterue you to deathe with hunger and famine, yea and though nowe you would depart, it is too late, bycause y^e bridges are throwen downe, and the calseys broken, and succoure by water you haue none. In this communications the daye was spente, and night at hand, their heads occupyed, and heartes full heauie, for hunger alone hadde bin ynough to finish theyr dayes, without any further warre. That nighte, the one halfe of the number of Spanyardes armed themselues, and late in the euening came forthe into the Citie. The _Indiäs_ now being not accustomed to fight at such houres, the Spanyardes burned aboue thrée hundred houses in one stréete, and in some of them found many Citizens, of whome they left not one aliue. They burned and spoyled thrée _Zoties_ néere vnto their owne lodging, whiche hadde greately annoyed them before. The residue of the Spanyardes whiche abode at home, amended the engins, and repaired their houses. As this iourney hapned well vnto them, earely in the morning they procéeded out againe, and wente to the bridge where their engins hadde bin broken, and although they founde there greate resistance, yet the matter imported their liues. They foughte with noble courage, and gote manye towers, houses and _Zoties_. They wanne also four of the eyght bridges which were in the Citie, leauing gard in those places whyche were wonne, returning to their Campe with manye woundes, beyng both wéery and full of care and sorrow.

The next daye they came forth againe, and wanne the other foure bridges, and dammed them vp with earth, in such sorte, that the Horsemen that way followed the enimies to the firme lande. _Cortez_ being occupyed in damming vp the ditches, and making plaine way of the bridges, there came certayne messengers vnto him, saying, that néere at hand, abode many noblemen and Captaines to treate of peace, requiring hym to come vnto them, praying him to bring _Tlamacazque_ his prisoner, who was one of the principallest of the Diuels Cleargie there, to heare the treatie of the matter.

_Cortes_ wente, and carried the Priest with him, whome he appoynted to require them to ceasse from contention, and to remoue their siege, but he came not backe wyth aunswere. All thys was a fayned fetche, to sée the state of the Christian Campe, or else to recouer their religious _Tlamacazque_. _Cortes_ séeyng theyr deceyte, wente hys way to dinner, and was no sooner sette at hys meate, but certayne _Tlaxcaltecas_ came running in with an open crye, saying, that theyr enimies hadde recouered agayne the bridges, and wente armed vp and downe the stréetes, and hadde also slayne the most of the Spanyardes that were lefte in garde of the bridges. Incontinente _Cortes_ wente out with the Horsemenne, who were readyest at that tyme, and made way through the troupe of enimies, following them euen vnto the firme lande, but at theyr returne, the footemen that were hurt and wéeried in kéeping of the stréete, coulde not susteyne the force and furie of the infinite number of _Indians_, whyche came vpon them, yea with muche adoe they coulde escape home to their forte. The multitude was not so greate of _Indians_ in the stréete, but also by water in _Canoas_, so that stones flewe on both sydes, and galled oure men cruelly. _Cortes_ was hurte in one of hys knées very sore, wherevppon it was blowen abroade through the Citie, that _Cortes_ was slayne, whiche newes dyd greately discourage our men, and much animate the _Indians_. But yet _Cortes_ for all hys payne and hurt, ceassed not to embolden & encourage hys Souldyers, who set afreshe vpon the enimies. At the farthest bridge fel two Horses, which troubled muche oure men that followed. _Cortes_ made suche way among the _Indians_, that the Horsemen hadde reasonable passage, and béeyng y^e hindmost man himselfe, he was in great peril of taking. It was a maruell to sée what a spring hee gaue with hys Horse, and thereby escaped, but in conclusion, with stones they were forced to returne to their hold, beyng very late.

As soone as he had ended his supper, he sente some of his men to gard the stréete and bridges, and to defend the same againste the enemie. They were somewhat ioyfull of their procéedings and good successe whiche they hadde the same day.

Hovve Cortez fledde from _Mexico_.

But _Cortes_ waying the substance of the matter, sawe in effecte that his syde wente to wracke, wherefore he requested hys menne to departe from thence, who were not a little ioyfull to heare their Captayne pronounce that saying, for few or none of them escaped vnhurt and wounded. They feared death, but yet wanted not stomacke and hearte to dye. The _Indians_ were so many, that if the Chrystians shoulde but onlye haue cutte their throtes without resistance, yet they had bin too few for that purpose.

They were also in suche necessitie of bread, that pinched them sore. Their pouder and shotte was spente, and almost all other prouision. Their house was welnigh beaten downe about their eares. All these causes were sufficient to leaue _Mexico_, and to séeke to saue their liues: yet on the other side, they iudged it an euill case, to turne their backes to their enimies, for (quoth they) the very stones riseth vp against hym that flyeth. They feared agayne the passage of the arches where the bridges hadde bin, so that now they were full besette with sorrow, care, and misery: but in fyne, they all agréed to departe that nighte, for many dayes before, one of their companye called _Botello_, who presumed to haue good skyll in the Arte of Nigromäcie, did declare vnto them, that if they would depart from _Mexico_ at a certayne houre appoynted, that then they shuld escape, or else not: but whether they gaue credite to his sayings or no, they fully determined to departe that night, and like vnto politike and good Souldyers, they prepared a bridge of tymber to carrie wyth them, to passe ouer the arches where bridges hadde bin. This is most certayne, they were all priuie and agréede to the departure, and not as some report, that _Cortes_ fledde away, leauing aboue two hundred Spanyardes in the house, who knewe nothyng of hys departure, and were afterwardes all slayne, sacrifised, and eaten in _Mexico_, for out of the Citie he coulde not haue departed so secretely, but it shoulde haue come to their eares: howe muche more out of one house, where they were all togither.

[Sidenote: Revvarde of a couetous mind.]

_Cortes_ called _Iohn de Guzman_ hys Chamberlayne, commaunding him to open the hall where the treasure was, and called all the officers and others, to sée the distribution of the same. First the kings portion was deducted, and he gaue a Horse of his owne, and men to carrie it: and for the remainder, he willed euery man to take what he listed, for he gaue it frankely vnto them. The souldiers which had come with _Naruaez_, & now serued _Cortes_, were somewhat hungry of treasure, so that they tooke as much golde and other riches, as they myghte possible carrie, but it cost them déere, for at their going out of the Citie, with the waight of their heauie burthens, they coulde neyther fighte, nor yet make hast on their way, vppon whiche occasion, the _Indians_ caught many of them, and drewe them by the héeles to the slaughterhouse of Sacrifice, where they were slayne and eaten: yet those that escaped, had eache of them some profyte, for that pray was well worth seauen hundred thousand Ducketes: but beeyng things wrought in greate péeces, they were troublesome to carrie, so that he whiche carried least, escaped best. Yet some doe thinke, that there remayned in that house a great parte of the treasure, but it was not so, for after our men had taken what they would, then came in the _Tlaxcaltecas_, and made spoyle of all the rest.

_Cortes_ gaue charge to certayne of his menne, to garde with much respecte, a sonne and two daughters of _Mutezuma_, _Cacama_, and his brother, and manye other greate Gentlemen his prisoners.

He also appoynted other fortie më to carrie the bridge of timber, and other _Indians_ to carrie the Ordinance, and a little grayne of _Centli_ that remayned.

The vantgarde he committed to _Gonsalo de Sandoual_, and _Antonio de Quiniones_: and the reregarde he committed to _Pedro de Aluarado_, and he hymselfe remayned with a hundred men, to vse his discretion. In this order, and with good deliberation, at midnight he departed from _Mexico_ in a darke myst, and so quietely, that none of the _Indians_ knewe thereof, commendyng themselues vnto GOD, beséechyng hym in theyr prayers, to delyuer them from that presente daunger, and tooke the way of _Tlacopan_, béeyng the same way that he came into the Citie.

The firste arche whereof the bridge was throwen downe, they passed with the timber bridge whiche they carried with them at ease.

In this meane time the watche and espies which warded in the hiest temples, had descried their flight, and began to sounde their instruments of warre with a maruelous crie, saying, they flie, they flie: And sodenly with this noyse, they hauing no armour to put on, nor other impedimët, ioyned an infinite company of them togither, and followed with greate celeritie, yea and with suche a heauy and terrible noyse, that all the lake pronounced the Eccho, saying, let the cursed and wicked be slayne, who hath done vnto vs such great hurte.

But when _Cortes_ came to plante his bridge vpon the second arche of the Cittie, there mette him a greate company of _Indians_ to defende the same, yet with much adoe he planted his bridge and passed thervpon with fiue horsemen and a hundred Spaniardes, and with them procéeded through the Calsey to the mayne lande passing many perilous places, wherein swamme both man and horse, for the bridge of timber was broken: this done, he lefte his foote menne on the firme lande, vnder the gouernement of _Iohn Xaramillo_, and returned backe with the fiue horsemen for to succour and helpe the residue of his company whiche were behinde. But when he came vnto them, he found some fighting with great courage, but many slaine. He lost also his golde and fardage, his ordinance and prisoners, yea in fine he founde a maruellous change and alteracion of the estate he lefte them in, wherevpon lyke a good Captayne he shewed his wisdome and valour, helpyng and recoueryng as many of his men, as he myght, and brought them into safetie. He lefte also Captayne _Aluarado_ to succour the reste.

But _Aluarado_ with all his power and strength could not resiste the fury of the enimies, wherefore with the Lance in his hande he beganne to flie, seyng the greate slaughter of his company, so that hée was forced to passe ouer the dead carkases, yea and vpon some that were not throughly dead, who made a lamentable, pytifull, and dolefull mone. And commyng to the next arche, whose brydge was broken downe, of necessitie he tooke hys Lance, and therewith leaped such a space, that the _Indians_ were amased to sée, for none of his fellowes could doe the like, although they approued the enterprise, and were drowned for their labour.

When _Cortes_ sawe this sorrowfull sight, he sate hym downe, not to take any rest for his wearinesse, but only to bewayle the dead men, yea and also them that were aliue and in greate daunger, and also to ponder the vnstedfastnesse of cruell fortune in the perdition of so many his friends, such great treasure and lordshippe, so greate a Citie and Kingdome, but also to bewayle the sorrowfull estate that he himself stoode in, seyng the moste of his men wounded & hurte, and knowyng not whyther to goe, for that he was not certayne of the helpe and friendship of _Tlaxcaltecas_. Yea and what harde hart, woulde not haue relented to behold the dead bodies, who a litle before had entred that same way, with suche magnificall triumphe, pompe and pleasure. But yet hauing care of those whom he had lefte on the firme lande, he made haste to _Tlacopan_.

This sorowfull night, which was the tenth of July in _An_ .1520. were slaine aboute .450. Spaniardes, 4000. _Indian_ friends, and .46. horse, yea & (as I iudge) all the prisoners which were in his company. If this mishap had fortuned in the day time, possible so many and so great a nüber had not perished. But where it fortuned by night, the noyse of the wounded was sorrowful, & of the victors horrible and feareful. The _Indians_ cried victory, calling vpon their diuelish and filthy Goddes with ioy & pleasure, our men being ouercome, cursed their vnfortunate lot, yea the hower, and he that brought them thither, others cried vnto God for succour, others sayd helpe, help, for I stande in daüger of drowning. I know not certenly whether moe perished in the water or the lande, hopyng to saue themselues by swimming and leapyng ouer the sluces and broken places, for they say, that a Spaniarde was no sooner in the water, but an _Indian_ was vppon his backe. They haue great dexteritie & skill in swimming, so that catching any Spaniarde in the water, they would take him by the one arme, and carrie him whither they pleased, yea & would vnpanch him in the water. If these _Indians_ had not occupied themselues in taking the spoyle of those that were fallen and slaine, certenly one Christian had not escaped that day: but in fine, the greatest number of Spaniardes that were killed, were those that went moste laden with golde plate and other iewels, & those which escaped, were they that carried least burdens, & the first that with noble courage made way to passe through the troupe of _Indians_.

Nowe wée may safely say, that the couetous desire of gold, wherof they had plenty, was cause of their death, and they may answere that they died riche. After that those, whiche had escaped, were paste the calsey, the _Indians_ stayed and followed them no further, eyther for that they contented themselues with that whiche they had done, or else they durst not fight in open fields: But principally it is thought, that they abode to mourne and lament for the death of _Mutezuma_ his chyldren, not knowing till then their sorrowfull ende. But nowe seyng the thyng present before their eyes, they wrang theyr hands, and made a pitifull dole and crie, and the rather, bycause they themselues had slayne them against their willes.

The battayle of Otumpan, a notable _victory_.

The Inhabitants of _Tlacopan_, knewe not how our men came spoyled, hurte, and ouerthrowen, and againe our men stoode in a maze, and knew not what to doe nor whither to goe. _Cortes_ came vnto them, & cöforted them & placed them in order before him, requyring them to make hast, vntill they might come into the broade field, before such tyme as the men of _Tlacopan_ should heare of the newes passed, & so to arme thëselues and to ioyne with fourtie thousande _Mexicans_, who after the mournyng for their friends, came marchyng after them. He placed in the vantgard the _Indians_ his friëds, and passed through certayne tilled grounde, and continually fought as they went, vntill they came to a high hill, where was a tower and a Temple, whiche is called our Lady churche at this day.

[Sidenote: A vvery iourney.]

The _Indians_ slewe some of the Spaniardes whiche came in the reregard, and many of their _Indian_ friends, before they could get vp to the toppe of the hill. They loste muche of the golde, that had remayned, and with greate hazarde escaped through the multitude of _Indians_ with life, their horses whiche remayned aliue, were foure and twentie, who were tyred both with trauell and hunger, & the Spaniardes their maisters, with the residue coulde scarsely stirre hande or foote with wearinesse of fightyng, and penurie of hunger, for al that day and night they ceassed not from fight, eating nothing at all.

[Sidenote: A payneful man.]

In this Temple were reasonable lodgings, where they fortified themselues as well as they myght, and dranke one to an other, but theyr supper was very slëder. After their simple feast was ended, they went and beheld an infinite number of _Indians_, whiche had beset them almost round about, makyng a maruellous shoute and crie, knowyng that they were without victuals, whiche onely is a warre worser than to fight with the enimie. They made many fires with the woodde of sacrifice, rounde about the tower and Temple, & with this pollicie, at midnight departed secretely. It happened that they had _Tlaxcalteca_ to be their guide, who knew well the way, assuring to bring them into the iurisdiction of _Tlaxcallan_: with this guide they began to iourney. _Cortes_ placed his wounded men and fardage in the middest of his company, the souldiours that were whole and in health, he deuided into the vantgarde & reregarde: he could not passe so secretly, but y^t they were espied by the _Indian_ scoute, whiche was neare at hand, who gaue aduise therof incötinent. Fiue horsemë which went before to discouer, fell among certayne cöpanies of _Indians_, which attended their cöming to robbe thë, & seing the horsemen, they suspected that the whole army was at hand, whervpon they fled, but yet seing them few in number städe and ioyned with the other _Mexicans_ that followed & pursued our men thrée leagues vntil they came to a hill where was an other temple with a good tower & lodgyng, where they lodged that night without supper. They departed in the mornyng from thence, and wente through a cragged & naughty way, to a great towne the enhabitantes whereof were fledde for feare, so that they abode there two daies to rest thëselues, to cure their më, & horses: also they somewhat eased their hügery stomakes and carried frö thence prouision, although not muche, for they had none to carrie it. And being departed frö thence, many enimies pursued them & persecuted them very sore. Likewise y^e guide erred out of his way, & at lëgth came to a little village of few houses, where they reposed y^e night. In the morning they procéeded vpon their way, and the enimies still pursuyng and troubled them sore all the day.

[Sidenote: Cortes vvounded vvith a slyng.]

[Sidenote: Oh noble Cortez.]

_Cortes_ was woüded with the stripe of a sling, and therewith was in greate daunger of life, for his head so rancbled, that of necessitie they were forced to take out certaine péeces of his skull, whervpon he was driuen to séeke a solitarie place in the wildernesse to cure him, and in goyng thitherwardes, the enimies wounded fiue Spaniardes and foure horses, whereof one died, and that was eaten among them for a sumptuous supper, and yet not sufficient for them all, for there was none of them whiche were not vexed with hunger. I speake not of their woundes and wearinesse, things sufficient to haue made an ende of lyfe. But certainely the Spanishe nation can abide more hunger than any other, and especially these with _Cortes_ dyd shewe the proofe. The nexte day in the mornyng departing from a litle Village, and fearyng the multitude of enimies, _Cortes_ commaunded eche horseman to take a sicke manne behinde him, and those that were somewhat stronger, to holde by the horse tayles and stirroppes: he likewise made cruches for other some to ease them, and woulde not leaue one of his men behinde him to be a pray and supper for the _Indian_ enimies. This aduise was very profitable as things fell out, yea also there were some of them that carried vpon their backe their fellowes, & thereby were saued. They had not iourneyed a full league into a playne fielde, when there mette them an infinite number of _Indians_ who compassed them round aboute, and assaulted our men in such sorte, that they verily beléeued that day to ende generally their liues, for there were many _Indians_ that durst wrastell with our men, man to man, yea and layd some of them in the duste, and drewe them by the héeles, whether it were with the great courage whiche they had, or whether it were with the trauayle, hunger and hurtes of our men I know not, but great pittie it was to sée, how they were drawen by the _Indian_ enimies, and what grieuous mone they made.

[Sidenote: Oh valiant Cortez.]

[Sidenote: 200000. Indians.]

_Cortes_ that wente with vigilant care comfortyng his men, as muche as was possible to doe, and well perusing the great daunger that they were in, commendyng himselfe to God, sette spurres to his horse and made way thorow the greatest troupe of _Indians_, and came vnto the captayne generall who bare the Royall standart of _Mexico_, and passed him through with his Lance, whereof he incontinent died. But when the _Indians_ sawe the standart fallen, they threw their auncient on the grounde and fled, scattering them here and there like men amazed, knowing not whither to fly, for such is their custome in warre, that when they sée the generall slayne, they forthwith leaue the fielde. Then our wery soules began to recouer hart and strength, and the horsemen followed thë to their great anoyance and slaughter. It was credibly reported, that there were that day in fielde .200000. _Indians_. And the fielde where this battayle was fought is called _Otumpan_: there was neuer a more notable facte done in _India_, nor greater victorie since the first discouery of the same. And as manye Spaniardes as sawe _Hernando Cortes_ fighte that day, did holde opinion, that neuer one man did more greater feates in armes, and that he only was the meane in his owne person to saue and deliuer them all.

The entertaynement vvhiche the _Spaniardes had in Tlaxcallan_.

After this victory obtayned, _Cortes_ with his company went to lodge in a house planted alone, in a playne grounde, from whence appeared the Mountaynes of _Tlaxcallan_, whereof our menne muche reioyced: yet on the other side they stoode in doubt whether they should finde them their friendes in such a daungerous season, for bycause the vnfortunate man that flieth, findeth nothing in his fauour, for all thing that he pretendeth, happeneth cleane contrary. That night _Cortes_ himselfe was scoute, not bycause he was more whole than his fellowes, but like a good Captayne, he deuided the trauayle & paynes equally, euen as their hurte and damage was come.

[Sidenote: 50000. më.]

[Sidenote: Faythfull friendes.]

Being day, they iourneyed in plaine and straight way, directly to the Mountaynes and Prouince of _Tlaxcallan_, they passed by a swéete foütaine of water, where they wel refreshed themselues, and after they came to _Huazilipan_, a towne of _Tlaxcallan_, of .4000. housholdes, where they were louingly receiued & abundantly prouided for thrée dayes, whiche they abode there refreshing & curing their weary bodies. Some of the townes men would giue thë nothing without payment, but the moste parte did vse them very gently: Vnto this Towne came _Maxixca_, _Xicotencatlh_, _Axotecalth_, and many other principall persons of _Tlaxcallan_, and _Huexozinca_ with .50000. men of warre, who were going to _Mexico_ to succour the Spaniardes, knowyng of their troubles, but not of their hurte and spoyle, yet some holde opinion that they hauyng certayne knowledge of all theyr mishappes and flight from _Mexico_, came only to comforte them, and in the name of all theyr communaltie and state, to offer them their Towne, in conclusion, they séemed sorrowfull for their misfortunes, and agayne ioyfull to sée them there: Yea some of them with anguishe of harte wepte, and sayde, wée did aduise and warne yée, that the _Mexicans_ were Traytours and wicked persons, and yet yée woulde not beléeue vs: wée doe pyttie and bewayle your troubles, but if it please you, lette vs goe thither to reuenge your iniuries, and the death of your Christians, and our Citizens: and if now ye will not, that then it may please you to goe with vs home to our houses, for to recreate youre persons, and to cure your woundes.

_Cortes_ did cordially reioyce, to heare and finde such succour and friendship, in such good men of warre, whereof he stoode in doubt as he came thitherward. He gaue them most hartie thankes for their louing offer, curtesie, and good will. He gaue vnto them of such Iewels as remayned, and sayd vnto them, the time will come, that I shall desire your helpe against the _Mexicans_, but now presently it is néedefull, to cure my sicke and wounded men.

The noble men that were there present, besought him to giue them leaue to skirmish with the _Indians_ of _Culhua_, for as yet many of them wandered there aboute. _Cortes_ graunted their request, and sente with them some of hys men, which were lustie, and in good health, who procéeded forth all togither, and in that iourney slewe many _Indian_ enimies, so that after this time, the enimies appeared no more. Then with triumph, pleasure, and victory, they departed toward the Citie, and oure men followed. It is credibly reported, that twenty thousande men and women met them by the way with sundry kindes of meates: I do beléeue that the most of them came to sée them, for the great loue whiche they bare vnto them, and likewise to enquire of their friends which had gone with them to _Mexico_, of whome few returned. In _Tlaxcallan_ they were honorable receyued, and well vsed. _Maxixca_ gaue hys house to _Cortes_, and the residue of hys company were hosted at Gentlemens houses, who cherished them excéedingly, whereby they forgate the paynes, sorrowes, and trauels past, for in fiftéene dayes before, they lay on the bare ground.

Certaynely the Spanyardes were muche indebted to the _Tlaxcaltecas_, for their loyaltie and faithfull friendship, especially vnto that good and vertuous Gentleman _Maxixca_, who threwe _Xicotencatl_ downe the stayres and steppes of the chiefe Temple, for giuing his counsell to kyll the Spanyardes, meaning to reconcile hymselfe with the _Mexicans_.

He also made two Orations, the one to the men, and the other to the women, in the greate fauoure and prayse of the Spanyardes, putting them in remembrance, howe that they hadde not eaten salt, nor worne cloth of cotten wooll in many yeares before, vntil now that their friends were come: and to this day these _Indians_ doe muche presume of their fidelitie, and likewise of the resistance and battayle they made with _Cortes_ in _Teoacazinco_, so that now when they celebrate any great feast, or receyue any Christian vizeking, there commeth of them out into the field sixtie or seauentie thousande men, to skirmishe and fight in the same order as they did with _Cortes_.

The protestation and request _of the Souldyers to Cortes_.

VVhen _Cortes_ departed firste from _Tlaxcallon_ towardes _Mexico_ to visit _Mutezuma_, hée lefte there twentie thousande Castlins of golde and moe, besides the Kings portion which was sent with _Monteio_ and _Portocarrero_. He lefte there also manye other things if néede should haue happened in _Mexico_ of money, or other things to prouide his men in _Vera Crux_, and this he lefte there also, to proue the fidelitie of his friendes in _Tlaxcallon_. And after he had obteyned the victory against _Naruaez_, he wrote vnto the Captayne that he shoulde sende for the same, for reason required that in all things they should haue their partes.

[Sidenote: Exclamation.]