Page:The Conquest of Mexico Volume 1.djvu/509



Page 256 (1).—More than one writer repeats a story of the Tlascalan General sending a good supply of provisions, at this time, to the famished army of the Spaniards; to put them in stomach, it may be, for the fight. (Gomara, Crónica, cap. 46.—Ixtlichochitl, Hist. Chich., MS, cap 83) This ultra-chivalrous display from the barbarian is not very probable, and Cortés own account of his successful foray may much better explain the abundance which reigned in his camp.

Page 257 (1).—Through the magnifying lens of Cortés, they appeared to be 150,000 men (Rel. Seg., ap. Lorenzana, p. 52); a number usually preferred by succeeding writers.

Page 257 (2).—

 Not half so gorgeous, for their May-day mirth All wreath's and ribanded, our youths and maids, As these stern Tlascalans in war attire! The golden glitt'rance, and the feather-mail More gay than glitt'ring gold; and round the helm A coronal of high upstanding plumes, Green as the spring grass in a sunny shower; Or scarlet bright, as in the wintry wood The cluster'd holly; or of purple tint; Whereto shall that be liken'd? to what gem Indiadem'd, what flower? what insect's wing? With war songs and wild music they came on; We, the while kneeling, raised with one accord The hymn of supplication."

Page 257 (3).—The standards of the Mexicans were carried in the centre, those of the Tlascalans in the rear of the army. (Clavigero, Stor. del Messico, vol. ii. p. 145.) According to the Anonymous Conqueror, the banner stall was attached to the back of the ensign, so that it was impossible to be torn away. "Each company had its Ensign, with the colours on a staff, bound in such manner to his shoulders that it did not interfere in the least with his lighting power, nor prevent him from doing whatever he wished. And the support was so well secured to his body that unless he were torn in pieces, it could never be wrested nor snatched from him."—Rel. d'un gent., ap. Ramusio, tom. iii. fol 305.

Page 257 (4).—Camargo, Hist. de Tlascala, MS.—Herrera, Hist. General, dec. 2, lib. 6, cap. 6. —Gomara, Crónica, cap. 46.—Bernal Diaz, Hist. de la Conquista, cap. 64.—Oviedo, Hist. de las Ind., MS., lib. 33, cap. 45. The last two authors speak of the device of "a white bird like an ostrich," as that of the Republic. They have evidently confounded it with that of the Indian general. Camargo, who has given the heraldic emblems of the four great families of Tlascala, notices the white heron, as that of Xicotencatl.

Page 257 (5).—The accounts of the Tlascalan chronicler are confirmed by the Anonymous Conqueror and by Bernal Diaz, both eye-witnesses; though the latter frankly declares, that, had he not seen them with his own eyes, he should never have credited the existence of orders and badges among the barbarians, like those found among the civilised nations of Europe.—Hist. de la Conquista, cap. 64, et alibi.—Camargo, Hist. de Tlascala, MS.—Rel. d'un gent., ap. Ramusio, tom. iii. fol. 305.

Page 259 (1).—Particular notices of the military dress and appointments of the American tribes on the plateau may be found in Camargo, Hist. de Tlascala, MS. —Clavigero, Stor. del Messico, tom. ii. p. 101 et seq. —Acosta, lib. 6, cap. 26.—Rel. d'un gent., ap. Ramusio, tom. iii. fol. 305, et auct. al.