Page:Letters of Cortes to Emperor Charles V - Vol 2.djvu/86

 In the preceding chapters, I stated that I remained in Tesaico with three hundred men and the thirteen  Cortes Takes Command of the Brigantines brigantines. As soon as I knew the divisions were in the places assigned for their camps, I could embark and take a look at the city and do some damage to the canoes. Although I very much wished to go by land, to give directions in the camps, the captains were persons who could be trusted with what they had in hand, while the affair of the brigantines was a matter of great importance, requiring stern discipline and attention, so I determined to embark in them, because we calculated to have the greatest risk and adventure by water. The principal persons of my company, however, required me in due form to go with the garrisons, as they believed that they were to undertake the most dangerous part. The day after the Feast of Corpus Christi, Friday, at dawn, I ordered Gonzalo de Sandoval, alguacil mayor, to go with his people directly to the city of Iztapalapa, about six short leagues from there; shortly after mid-day they arrived there, and began to burn it, and to fight with its people, who, when they saw the great force of the alguacil mayor, for more than thirty-five or forty thousand of our allies had gone with him, retreated to their canoes. The alguacil mayor, with all the people accompanying him, lodged in that town, and remained there that day awaiting my orders and what might happen to me.

Immediately after I had despatched the alguacil mayor, I embarked in the brigantines, and we started with sails and oars; and while the alguacil mayor was fighting and burning the city of Iztapalapa, we came in sight of a very large and strong hill near that city, all surrounded