mildness; “That he was satisfied no soldiers
ever exhibited more valour than we, and that by perseverance
alone could we hope to preserve our lives amidst those
great perils which God hitherto delivered us from,
and that he hoped for a continuance of the same mercy.
He appealed to them to say if he had ever shrunk from
sharing in all their dangers; which indeed he might
well do, as he never spared himself on any occasion.
As to the destruction of the ships, it was done advisably,
and for most substantial reasons; and as the most
illustrious of our countrymen had never ventured on
so bold a measure, it was better to look forward with
trust in God, than to repine at what could not now
be remedied. That although the natives we had
left behind were at present friendly, all would assuredly
rise against us the moment we began to retreat; and
if our situation were now bad, it would then be desperate.
We were now in a plentiful country; and as for our
losses by death and fatigue, such was the fortune
of war, and we had not come to this country to enjoy
sports and pastimes. I desire therefore of you,
who are all gentlemen, that you no longer think of
retreat, but that you henceforwards shew an example
to the rest, by doing your duty like brave soldiers,
which I have always found you hitherto.”
They still continued to urge the danger of persisting
in the march to Mexico; but Cortes cut them short,
saying, That it was better to die at once than live
dishonoured: And being supported by all his friends,
the malcontents were obliged to stifle their dissatisfaction,
as we all exclaimed that nothing more should be said
on the subject.
Our deputation from Zumpacingo to Tlascala was at
length successful; as after four repeated messages
from the chiefs of the republic, their general Xicotencatl
was obliged to cease hostilities. Accordingly
forty Indians were sent by him to our quarters with
a present of fowls, bread, and fruit. They also
brought four old women in tattered clothes, some incense,
and a quantity of parrots feathers. After offering
incense to Cortes, one of the messengers addressed
him as follows: “Our general sends these
things to you. If ye are teules, as is
reported, and desire human victims, take the hearts
and blood of these women as food: We have not
sacrificed them to you, as you have not hitherto made
known your pleasure. If ye are men, we offer
you fowls, bread, and fruit; if benignant teules,
who do not desire human sacrifices, here are incense
and parrots feathers.” Cortes replied,
That we were men like themselves, and never put any
one to death except in our own defence: That
he had repeatedly required them to make peace with
us, which offer he now renewed, advising them no longer
to continue their mad resistance, which must end in
their own ruin and the destruction of their country:
That our only object in coming among them, was to
manifest the truths of our holy religion, and to put
an end to human sacrifices, by command from God and