only at Jalancingo, where the Aztec garrison, ever since the beginning of the Tepeaca campaign, had been employed in fortifying the place, and either considered themselves secure or feared that a surrender would procure no better terms, for them, at least. They were disconcerted by being attacked on different sides, under native guidance, and after a brief resistance took to flight, during which a number of them were captured, the Spaniards losing three horses, and having eight men severely injured, Sandoval receiving an arrow wound. In a temple were found relics of slaughtered Spaniards, in the shape of dresses, arms, and saddles.[1] A few days later the expedition set out to rejoin the army, with a large amount of spoils and a train of captives. The chiefs were pardoned by Cortés, with politic regard for the future, and enjoined to furnish their quota of supplies at Segura.[2]
The head-quarters had meanwhile been removed to Tlascala, preparatory to a march on Mexico, and Segura was now in charge of the alcalde, Pedro de Ircio, lately lieutenant of Sandoval at Villa Rica, assisted by the regidor, Francisco de Orozco, and sixty men, including the invalids and the disabled.[3] Cortés had left it in the middle of December,[4] taking with the cavalry the route through Cholula,[5] to settle the question of succession to a number of cacique offices vacated during the epidemic. These appeals were
- ↑ Alcántara's, it would seem. The treasure carried by him had been dissipated.
- ↑ 'Dos dias ante de Navidad llegó el capitan con la gente. . . que habian ido á las provincias de Cecatami y Xalazingo,'says Cortés, Cartas, 163-5, who had already taken up quarters at Tlascala. Gomara, Hist. Mex., 172. Bernal Diaz speaks of a second expedition to Xocotlan, with 30 cavalry and 100 infantry; but this must be owing to a confusion of names, in one case the valley, Cacatami, being mentioned, in the other the town, Cocotlan. Hist. Verdad., 116.
- ↑ Gomara, Hist. Mex., 172; Herrera, dec. ii. lib. x. cap. xviii. See note 37. 'Por Capitan vn Francisco de Orozco, con obra de veynte soldados que estauan heridos, y dolientes,' says Bernal Diaz, Hist. Verdad., 118; Vetancurt follows. Teatro Mex., pt. iii. 149.
- ↑ Por tener la nauidad q͏̄ era de ay a doze dias en Tlaxcallan.' Gomara, Hist. Mex., 172.
- ↑ Gomara calls it Coliman, which Chimalpain identifies with Amozoc, still in existence. Hist. Conq., ii. 13.
