Page:Letters of Cortes to Emperor Charles V - Vol 2.djvu/131

 because they much desired to act their part well, and were already tired of waiting. I then joined them, as the infantry and horsemen began retiring through the square, accompanied by the Indians our friends, who understood all about the ambush. The enemy rushed out, yelling as if they had gained the greatest victory in the whole world, and the nine horsemen feigned to charge them across the square, and then suddenly to fall back; and, when they had done this twice, the enemy acquired such fury that they pressed up to the very croups of the horses and were thus decoyed towards the end of the street where the ambush was laid. When we saw the Spaniards had passed ahead of us, and heard the shot of a gun fired which was the signal agreed upon, we knew that the time to sally forth had arrived; and, with the cry of "Señor Santiago!" we suddenly fell upon them, and rushed forward into the square with our lances, overthrowing and stopping many, which latter our friends, who joined in the pursuit, were able to capture. In this ambush more than five hundred, all of the bravest and most valiant of their principal men were killed, and, that night, our allies supped well, because they cut up all those whom they had killed and captured to eat. Such was the fright and wonder of the enemy at seeing themselves suddenly routed that there was no more shouting the whole afternoon, nor did they dare to show their heads in the streets, nor on the roofs, except where they were entirely protected and safe. About nightfall, the people of the city sent certain slaves to see if we had retired, or what we were doing. As they appeared in the street, some ten or twelve horsemen charged and pursued them, so that none of them escaped.

Such was the consternation of the enemy from this, our victory, that during the rest of the war they never again dared to enter the square when we were retiring, even if only one horseman was there; nor did they ever