Page:Letters of Cortes to Emperor Charles V - Vol 2.djvu/56

 us, though the horsemen would turn against them from time to time, and thus some fell into our hands.

The next day, we set out, and, as our adversaries saw we were leaving, they thought it was from fear, and a great number gathered and began to pursue us. When I saw this, I ordered the foot soldiers to go ahead without stopping, and five horsemen to accompany them, as their rear-guard, while I remained with twenty others. Six of these I ordered to place themselves in ambush in one place, six in another, and five in another, while I, with three more, went to another place; and it was arranged that when the enemy had passed, believing that we were all marching ahead, as soon as they should hear me cry, "Señor Santiago!" they should rush out and attack from behind. When the time came, we appeared, and fell upon them with our spears, and the pursuit lasted in most beautiful style for about two leagues over a plain as smooth as the palms of our hands. Thus many perished at our hands and at those of the friendly Indians; and the others dropped behind and pursued us no further, while we marched on and overtook our people. That night we slept in a charming town called Aculman, two leagues from Tesaico, for which we left the next day, entering it at noon, and being very well received by the alguacil mayor whom I had left in command, and by all the people, who rejoiced at our coming; especially so because, since the day we left, they had never heard anything of us or of what had happened to us, and they had been anxious for news of us. The day after we arrived, the chiefs and captains of Tascaltecal, asking my permission, left for their country very well satisfied to receive a share of the spoils.

Two days after my return to Tesaico, certain Indian messengers came from the lords of Calco, and told me that they had been commanded to let me know, on their part, that the people of Mexico and Temixtitan were