CHAPTER XII.
MARCH TOWARD MEXICO.
August-September, 1519.
Enthusiasm of the Army — The Force — The Totonacs Advise the Tlascalac Route — Arrival at Jalapa — A Look Backward — The Anáhuac Plateau — Meeting with Olintetl — Arrival in the Country of the Tlascaltecs — The Senate Convenes and Receives the Envoys of Cortés — An Encounter — A More Serious Battle — Xicotencatl Resolves to Try the Prowess of the Invaders, and is Defeated.
The Garay affair having thus been disposed of, it was announced to the Spaniards that they would now go in quest of the great Montezuma. For as the conciliating sea smooths the sand which but lately it ground in its determinate purpose from the rocks, so had Cortés quieted the ruffled temper of the malcontents, till they were committed as one man to the will of the leader. And he smiled somewhat grimly as he concluded his harangue: "To success or total destruction now we march; for there is open to us no retreat. In Christ we trust, and on our arms rely. And though few in number, our hearts are strong." The soldiers shouted their approval, and again signified their desire to press onward to Mexico.[1]
The force for the expedition consisted of about four hundred and fifty Spaniards, with fifteen horses, and six or seven light guns, attended by a considerable number of Indian warriors and carriers-including Cubans. The Totonac force comprised also forty chiefs, taken really as hostages, among whom
- ↑ 'Y todos â vna le respondimos, que hariamos lo que ordenasse, que echada estaua la suerte de la buena ò mala ventura.' Bernal Diaz, Hint. Verdad., 40. (191)
