Cortes; Or, the Discovery, Conquest and More Recent History of Mexico (Paperback)

Book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1881. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER VI. THE START FOR MEXICO -- TLASCALA--SEVERE FIGHTING -- VICTORY OF THE SPANIARDS -- EMBASSIES FROM MONTEZUMA. /"" DEGREESORTES now prepared in good earnest for carrying into execution his magnificent scheme. He was to be accompanied by four hundred foot-soldiers, fifteen horse and seven pieces of artillery. On these, as his comrades, his chief reliance was placed. But he had also thirteen hundred Indian warriors and about a thousand porters to assist in dragging the guns and carrying the baggage. Forty of the principal Totonacs he took, in reality as hostages, though they were of great service to him as guides as well as counsellors among the strange tribes whom he visited on his march. With this army he set out to brave the power of Montezuma and the well-trained multitudes under his command. . The remainder of his forces were left at Villa Rica, the new town four leagues north of Cempoalla. Before he set out he addressed the Spaniards: they were so animated by what he said, and shared so thoroughly in his spirit of bold and romantic enterprise, that they exclaimed as with one voice: "We are ready to obey you. Our fortunes, for better or worse, are cast with yours." On the 16th of August, 1519, they commenced their march. Their road the first day, was across a plain, rich and beautiful with all the vegetable productions of the tropics, the gales loaded with perfumes, the groves filled with birds of splendid plumage, and insects whose wings glittered like diamonds in the rays of the sun. In the course of the second day they began to ascend the eastern acclivity of the Cordilleras and at its close reached Xalapa, a town that has given its name to the well-known drug raised in its neighborhood. The temperature was already felt to be cooler, and the sight of trees which were likewise...