Page:The Mastering of Mexico.djvu/294

256 few. More pressing than all, however, was the question, what would be the disposition of our Indian friends towards us? We determined to go forward with Tlaxcalans in advance as guides, our severely wounded in the centre and those too lame to walk bound upon horses unfit for fighting. But our enemy, the Mexicans, were day and night close at our heels, yelling and shouting at us and hurling stones, arrows and darts.

On we marched through plantations and hamlets, the Mexicans always in pursuit and striving to lock us in some narrow place and slay us. One night we quartered ourselves in some houses and supped off a horse they had killed. The next morning as we advanced, our scouts brought word that countless Mexican warriors filled the fields ahead. Here, however, our courage did not flag, and when our horsemen dashed over the level ground in full gallop on the enemy, our foot soldiers seemed to put double strength and spirit in their sword thrusts. It was a terrific battle. And to see Cortes! and Alvarado, who had borrowed a horse! And to hear the valiant Sandoval, all covered with wounds, encourage us, "Now, gentlemen, this is the day for victory. Our trust is in God. We shall not lose." The battle was hot. The Mexican chief fell and his warriors gave way and fled. But at this moment, indeed, we felt neither hunger, nor thirst, nor the