CHAPTER XXXI.
PRELIMINARY CAMPAIGNS.
March-May, 1521.
Plan for the Investment of Mexico — Reconnoitring Tour round the Lake — Cortés in Command — Alvarado and Olid Accompany — They Proceed Northward from Tezcuco — Capture of Cities and Strongholds — Xaltocan, Quauhtitlan, Tenayocan, Azcapuzalco, Tlacopan, and back to Tezcuco — Chalco Disturbed — Peace Proposals Sent to Mexico — Further Reconnoissance of the Lake Region — Many Battles and Victories — Quauhnahuac Captured — Burning of Xochimilco — Second Return to Tezcuco — Conspiracy.
The arrival at Tezcuco of the brigantines recalled the necessity for planning the investment of Mexico, and this involved a reconnoitring tour round the lake, for which the Tlascaltecs in particular were importunate. Chichimecatl pressed this measure the moment he arrived at Tezcuco. He had come to serve the emperor, to join the Spaniards in avenging their fallen countrymen. Cortes expressed appreciation of his zeal, "but rest now," he said, "for soon you shall have your hands full." A few days later the general set out from Tezcuco with twenty-five horse, three hundred foot-soldiers, twenty-five archers and crossbowmen, and over thirty thousand allies, chiefly Tlascaltecs, with a number of Tezcucans. Among the war material were six field-pieces.[1] Alvarado and Olid accompanied the expedition, and also a number of the Tezcucan leaders, partly as hostages, while Sandoval remained in charge. A northward course was taken,
- ↑ This is according to Cortés; others differ slightly, and Ixtlilxochitl increases the Tezcucan force to 60,000. Hor. Crueldades, 13.
