Page:The Mastering of Mexico.djvu/38

12 wells, and also maize fields and stone buildings, and while we were busy filling our casks, numbers of Indians came over towards us from the village. Their bodies were painted white, brown and black, they had on cotton cuirasses which came to the knee, and they bore such arms as lances, bows, swords and slings. They advanced in profound silence, as if with peaceful mind, and by signs asked us if we came from the rising of the sun. In return we signed that we had indeed come from the rising of the sun.

Besides our water casks we had also carried with us our crossbows and muskets. And now we had closed our ranks and taken every precaution, when we heard the cries and yells of many natives advancing from various quarters. We could no longer doubt the warriors meant to attack us. We therefore consulted with our captain what course we should adopt. Many of us believed that our best plan was to re-embark in all haste. But, as is always the case in critical moments, one advised this, another that, and the proposal to return was lost on the ground that the Indians would fall on us while we were getting into the boats and kill us, every one.

After a time we perceived more troops moving towards the coast, and with flying colors. They had on their feather knots and bore all their different kinds of arms. Dividing into several bands, they filed round us on all sides and then began pouring