Page:The Mastering of Mexico.djvu/352

312 round the town and cut off its supplies of water and provisions. Within the great city are so many thousands of warriors that their stores must soon be exhausted. The water they drink is from wells lately dug and is half salt, or it is from rain that falls. What can they do if you cut off their supplies? War against hunger and thirst is the worst war of all." This very advice many of us soldiers had already offered, but now, at the suggestion, Cortes threw his arms round the cacique and promised him the chieftaincy of towns.

By this time the men who managed our sloops stood no longer in fear of the stakes which the Mexicans had driven in the bed of the lake, for they had learned that with a stiffish breeze and vigorous rowing the boats were sure to break down the stakes. We therefore soon became masters of the lake and of many houses standing apart from the city. Twelve or thirteen days now passed, the Mexicans furiously fighting, our divisions capturing breastworks, bridges and openings and never ceasing to advance, our launches continually on the watch and daring to sail anywhere in the lake. And now, when time showed the threat of the Mexicans to destroy us within ten days an empty boast, the Texcocans despatched warriors to our aid and the Tlaxcalans and others followed with many men.

I am tired of writing about battles, but, as I said,