glory. Soon again would they add to its renown and its wealth, while avenging ancient wrongs. He would see to it that their services were recognized by the emperor. A small proportion would accompany him on the present march; the remainder could follow after the completion of the brigantines.[1] In orthodox cheers the native warriors testified approbation. Their general then spoke, exhorting them ever to remember that they were Tlascaltecs, a name of terror to all foes. Only twenty thousand of the eager republicans, including some Huexotzincas and the carriers, were allowed to join the expedition, for more could not be conveniently used during the preliminary campaign. Their general was Chichimecatl.[2]
On the following day, the 28th of December, after the invocation of divine aid, and midst the stirring strains of music, the army filed out of Tlascala, the populace lining the route and shouting their farewell blessings. "The gods grant you victory!" they cried, "and successful return." "There go the strong ones to humble the proud," said some, while of the women many sobbed: "Oh! if our eyes should never behold you again!" There were three routes leading into the lake provinces, two of them tried already during former marches; but since the enemy were doubtless on the alert with ambuscades and other measures, it was deemed best to select the third and worst road, north of snow-crowned Iztaccihuatl, by which an approach would be least expected.[3]
- ↑ If any there were who followed not of their free-will they should remain behind. He had enough men as it was. The lords replied that they would rather be drowned in the lake than return without victory. Torquemada, i. 526. On this occasion may have been presented to the Tlascaltec battalion the red damask banner, bearing on one side the crowned image of the virgin with the hands uplifted in prayer, and on the other the royal arms of Castile and Leon, a banner which Boturini obtained possession of with proofs of its genuineness. Catalogo, 75. Yet this design appears to belong to a standard borne by the Spaniards on entering the conquered Mexico.
- ↑ The chief motive for restricting the number was, according to Gomara, the trouble of sustaining them. Hist. Mex., 176. Bernal Diaz mentions only 10,000 warriors, wherein he evidently does not include carriers. Hist. Verdad., 119. Herrera increases the number to 80,000, under four captains, directed to a certain extent by Ojeda and Juan Marquez. dec. ii. lib. x. cap. xx.
- ↑ 'Acordé de entrar por esta de Tezmoluca, porque ... el puerto dél era
