The Memoirs of the Conquistador Bernal Diaz del Castillo Vol. 2

1/25/22, 8:50 PM The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Memoirs of the Conquistador Bernal Diaz del Castillo written by himself, containing a true an…
Chichimeclatecl, who, the reader will remember was equally brave ashe was high in rank,
took the chief command over the Tlascallans in person; under him commanded two
distinguished personages, named Teucepil [7] and Teutical, besides other caziques. Martin
Lopez, however, with the assistance of other Spaniards, whose names I have forgotten,
more immediately superintended the transport itself. Sandoval had feared he should be
obliged to wait a few days in Tlascalla untilthe building materials could be removed, but
was highly delighted tofind all went on so expeditiously. His march towards Tezcuco was
attended with the same ease, so that after the space of two days all had arrived on the
Mexican territory. Here matters began to wear a different aspect, and his troops were
assailed by the enemy with hideousyells from out the fields and mountain recesses where
they were outof the reach of the cavalry and musketeers. Martin Lopez, therefore,deemed
it necessary that greater military precaution should beadopted on their march, particularly
as the Tlascallans expressed their fears of being suddenly attacked by large bodies of
Mexicans. Sandoval, therefore, distributed the cavalry, crossbow-men and musketeers, in
such a manner that a portion were always in advanceof the transport, and the remainder he
placed along the flanks.Chichimeclatecl, who was commander-in-chief of the Tlascallans,
wasordered to bring up the rear, where Sandoval likewise took his station.This chief was
excessively hurt at this arrangement of the troops, andconsidered from the post which had
been assigned him, that Sandoval put little trust in his bravery; but as the latter himself
followed in therear, and he was informed that the Mexicans generally attacked therear first
where the baggage was, he became satisfied, embracedSandoval, and thanked him for the
honour he had thus conferredupon him.
After another two days' march the transport arrived in front ofTezcuco, and Sandoval made
his entry with great magnificence. TheTlascallans had expressly put on their finest mantles,
had decoratedtheir heads with the most beautiful feathers, and marched into the townin the
best military order, while the drums and pipes were playing.Several hours elapsed before
the whole had entered the town, and yetnone of our Tlascallan friends moved out of the
ranks, while they continuallykept crying out: Long live the emperor, our master! Spainfor
ever! Tlascalla for ever! Cortes and his officers came out to meet them, and gave
Chichimeclatecl and all of them the most hearty welcome.
[Pg 18]
The woodwork was carried to the neighbourhood of the canals and harbours, where the
brigantines were to be completed. Martin Lopez, who had the chief conduct of these
operations, now again set diligentlyto work. His principal assistants were Andreas Nuñez,
the elder Ramirez, a certain Diego Hernandez, with several other carpenters, and two
smiths. The work went on so expeditiously that the brigantineswere finished in a very short
time, and had now merely to becaulked, provided with masts, sails, and then to be rigged.
We wereobliged, however, to keep a sharp look out, lest the Mexicans shoulddestroy the
brigantines, which lay on the staples so very near to thelake; indeed they had three several
times attempted to set fire to them,on which occasions we took fifteen of their numbers
prisoners, whogave us a very minute account of all that was passing in the city ofMexico,
and of Quauhtemoctzin's designs. He was determined, theysaid, not to make peace with us
under any consideration whatsoever;the Mexicans had resolved either to perish in battle or
to destroy usall. One despatch after the other was sent to the townships subjectto Mexico,
commanding the inhabitants to make vigorous preparations for war, and tribute was no
longer to be demanded. Night and daywere the Mexicans toiling to deepen and widen the
canals which intersectedthe causeways, which were then strengthened by fortificationsand
palisades. To defend themselves against our horses they hadconstructed long pikes, to the
end of which they had fastened ourown swords they had taken on the night of our retreat
from Mexico. They had furnished themselves with quantities of round stones for their
slings, and large broadswords, with abundance of other weapons.
We were no less assiduous in our warlike preparations, and thecanals which had been dug
for the launch of our brigantines were nowof sufficient width and depth to swim vessels of
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