Page:The Mastering of Mexico.djvu/144

112 to this, the Tlaxcalans would not accept the truth.

When Cortes and we others heard these haughty words, and how all Tlaxcala was preparing for war, we did not think It a light matter. Nevertheless we one and all cried, "Since it can not be otherwise, forward!—for good luck!" and unfurling our banner we marched on.

Our only discourse now was how we should attack the enemy. You, the reader, may ask why all these preparations with the foe not yet in sight? I answer by repeating Cortes' own words, "Comrades, you know how few we are in numbers and how it behooves us to be on our guard and each moment ready for the enemy, not only as if we saw them approaching, but as if battle had begun. It sometimes happens that they seize the lances with their hands. For such daring we must be prepared. As to the rest, you do not need my advice, for I have found that you do much better than I am able to tell you."

Heartened by discourse such as this, we marched about eight miles when we came to a fort strongly built of stone, lime and other cement, an.