Page:The Mastering of Mexico.djvu/326

286 As the horsemen set out I slipped away with my three strong Tlaxcalan servants and followed, and about two miles ahead we came upon farms on the hillsides. To our inexpressible joy we here found wells, and my Tlaxcalans brought from one of the houses a large earthen pitcher of very cold water, with which I and my Tlaxcalans quenched our thirst. Then I had the jug refilled, and because the dwellers of the farms were beginning to hoot and yell at us, I turned back and found Cortes just putting the troops in motion. I told him we had found water, and my Tlaxcalans were bringing him a jug full, but carefully hidden that no one might seize it, for thirst knows no laws. He and other officers about him were glad and drank their fill, and we marched on to the farms. But the houses, or their wells, did not have enough water for all the men, and owing to their hunger and thirst, some of the soldiers tried to moisten their mouths by chewing thistle-like plants, the sharp prickles of which hurt their tongues.

Next morning we arrived in front of Xochimilco, built in a fresh water lake. The immense number of warriors standing ready to oppose our entrance I can not estimate. They covered the land. Many of them carried shining swords taken from us and now fastened on the end of their pikes. We met their terrific attack, and alter various ill-successes, drove them out of the open square. There several