Page:The Mastering of Mexico.djvu/139

Rh for the Tlaxcalans were their allies and deadly enemies of the Mexicans. Forty Cempoalan warriors had made ready to accompany us—and indeed proved of the greatest service to us on the journey—and the chiefs sent with us as well two hundred porters to convey our cannon. We poor soldiers had no need of help for our baggage, for at that time we had none other than our weapons, with which we marched and slept. We had not even covering for our feet except hempen shoes. But we were always ready for battle.

We broke up quarters at Cempoala about the middle of August, 1519, and set out, keeping strictest order, with scouts and our most active men always in advance. The first day we marched to a town called Jalapa, and from there to Socochima, a place strongly defended by a dangerous approach and having many trained grape vines. In each of the towns our interpreters. Donna Marina and Aguilar, told about our holy religion and how we were subjects of the emperor Don Carlos, who had sent us to put an end to kidnapping and human sacrifices. The people, friends with the Cempoalans and paying no tribute to Montezuma, we found well inclined to us, and they brought us food. In every township we set up a cross and explained its meaning to the people, and what veneration was its due.

Continuing from Socochima we passed a high