V.

1521.

troops together, and having explained to them BOOK the atrocious purpose of the confpirators, as well as the juftice of the punishment inflicted on Villefagna, he added, with an appearance of fatisfaction, that he was entirely ignorant with respect to all the circumftances of this dark tranfaction, as the traitor, when arrested, had fuddenly torn and fwallowed a paper which probably contained an account of it, and under the feverest tortures poffeffed fuch conftancy as to conceal the names of his accomplices. This artful declaration reftored tranquillity to many a breast that was throbbing, while he spoke, with consciousness of guilt and dread of detection; and by this prudent moderation, Cortes had the advantage of having difcovered, and of being able to obferve fuch of his followers as were difaffected; while they, flattering themselves that their past crime was unknown, endeavoured to avert any fufpicion of it, by redoubling their activity and zeal in his fervice 2.

CORTES did not allow them leifure to ruminate on what had happened; and as the moft effectual means of preventing the return of mutinous fpirit, he determined to call forth his

a

z Cortes Relat. 283, C. B. Diaz, c. 146. Herrera, dec. 3. lib. i. c. I.

V.

1521.

BOOK troops immediately to action. Fortunately, a proper occafion for this occurred without his seeming to court it. He received intelligence that the materials for building the brigantines were at length completely finished, and waited only for a body of Spaniards to conduct them to Tezeuco. The command of this convoy, confifting of two hundred foot foldiers, fifteen horsemen, and two field-pieces, he gave to Sandoval, who, by the vigilance, activity, and courage which he manifested on every occafion, was growing daily in his confidence, and in the eftimation of his fellow-foldiers. The fervice was no less fingular than important; the beams, the planks, the masts, the cordage, the fails, the iron-work, and all the infinite variety of articles requifite for the conftruction of thirteen brigantines, were to be carried fixty miles over land, through a mountainous country, by people who were unacquainted with the ministry of domestic animals, or the aid of machines to facilitate any work of labour. The Tlafcalans furnished eight thousand Tamenes, an inferior order of men destined for fervile tasks, to carry the materials on their shoulders, and appointed fifteen thousand warriors to accompany and defend them. Sandoval made the difpofition for their progrefs with great propriety, placing the Tamenes in the centre, one body of warriors in the front, another

V.

1521.

in the rear, with confiderable parties to cover BOOK the flanks. To each of thefe he joined fome Spaniards, not only to affift them in danger, but to accustom them to regularity and fubordination. A body fo numerous, and fo much encumbered, advanced leisurely, but in excellent order; and in fome places, where it was confined by the woods or mountains, the line of march extended above fix miles. Parties of Mexicans frequently appeared hovering around them on the high grounds; but perceiving no profpect of fuccefs in attacking an enemy continually on his guard, and prepared to receive them, they did not venture to moleft him; and Sandoval had the glory of conducting safely to Tezeuco, a convoy on which all the future operations of his countrymen depended *.

a new rein

THIS was followed by another event of no less Receives moment. Four fhips arrived at Vera Cruz forcement. from Hifpaniola, with two hundred foldiers, eighty horses, two battering cannon, and a confiderable fupply of ammunition and arms. Elevated with obferving that all his preparatory fchemes, either for recruiting his own army, or impairing the force of the enemy, had now

a Cortes Relat. 260. C. E. B. Diaz. c. 140.

Cortes Relat. 259, F. 262. D. Gomara Cron. c. 129.

V.

1521.

The brigantines launched.

BOOK produced their full effect, Cortes, impatient to begin the fiege in form, haftened the launching of the brigantines. To facilitate this he had employed a vast number of Indians for two months in deepening the fmall rivulet which runs by Tezeuco into the lake, and in forming it into a canal near two miles in length; and though the Mexicans, aware of his intentions, as well as of the danger which threatened them, endeavoured frequently to interrupt the labourers, or to burn the brigantines, the work was at last completed. On the twenty-eighth of April, all the Spanish troops, together with the auxiliary Indians, were drawn up on the banks of the canal; and with extraordinary military pomp, rendered more folemn by the celebration of the moft facred rites of religion, the brigantines were launched. As they fell down the canal in order, Father Olmedo bleffed them, and gave each its name. Every eye followed them with wonder and hope, until they entered the lake, when they hoisted their fails, and bore away before the wind. A general fhout of joy was raised; all admiring that bold inventive genius, which, by means fo extraordinary that their fuccefs almost exceeded belief, had acquired the command of a fleet, without the aid of which Mexico

* See NOTE IV,

B. Diaz. c. 140.

would

would have continued to fet the Spanish power BOOK and arms at defiance".

1521.

for the fiege.

CORTES determined to attack the city from Difpofitions three different quarters; from Tepeaca on the north fide of the lake, from Tacuba on the west, and from Cuyocan towards the fouth. Thofe towns were fituated on the principal caufeways which led to the capital, and intended for their defence. He appointed Sandoval to command in the firft, Pedro de Alvarado in the second, and Christoval de Olid in the third; allotting to each a numerous body of Indian auxiliaries, together with an equal divifion of Spaniards, who, by the junction of the troops from Hif. paniola, amounted now to eighty-fix horfemen, and eight hundred and eighteen foot foldiers; of whom one hundred and eighteen were armed with mufkets or crofs-bows. The train of artillery confifted of three battering cannon, and fifteen field-pieces f. He referved for himfelf, as the ftation of greatest importance and danger, the conduct of the brigantines, each armed with one of his fmall cannon, and manned with twenty-five Spaniards.

e Cortes Relat. 266. C. Herrera, dec. 3. lib. i. c. 5. Gomara Cron. c. 129.

f Cortes Relat. 266. C.

As