Page:Letters of Cortes to Emperor Charles V - Vol 2.djvu/126

 was all a pretence and that they wished to fight. That day, however, no other fighting took place, because the chiefs told the interpreter to call me.

Four days after the alguacil mayor had returned from the province of Matalcingo, the chief of it and those of Marinalco and the province of Quiscon, which is large and important and had also rebelled, came to our camp and asked pardon for the past, offering to serve well; and thus they did and have done until now. While the alguacil mayor was away in Matalcingo, those of the city determined to come at night and fall on the camp of Alvarado. A quarter before dawn, they made the attack, and, when the watchmen on horseback and foot perceived them, they called "To Arms," and those who were ready charged on them. When the enemy perceived the horsemen, they threw themselves into the water; in the meantime our people came up and fought them for three hours. When we in the camp heard one of the field pieces firing, fearing they might be routed, we ordered the people to arm themselves and enter the city, so as to thus draw off the attack from Alvarado. As the Indians found the Spaniards so courageous, they decided to return to the city, where we continued to fight during the day.

By this time, those who had been wounded in our rout were already recovered, and the ship had arrived at Villa Rica, belonging to Juan Ponce de Leon, who had formerly been routed in the country or island of Florida. They sent me certain powder and crossbows, of which we stood in very extreme need; and now, thanks to God, all [about here there is not a province which is