ed our rear from the side towards Tlacupa, and had not
advanced up to this fearful passage; there was only one cavalry soldier,
recently arrived from Spain, who ventured too far, and perished with his
horse. Alvarado was already coming up to our assistance, with a small
body of horse, but fortunately not before we had made good our retreat
beyond the deep gap; for, had he arrived a few minutes earlier, we
should, no doubt, have faced about, fought our way back again into the
town, and the Mexicans would certainly have cut us off to a man.

This battle took place on a Sunday, and the Mexicans were so elated with
the victory they had gained over us, that they fell upon our camp with
renewed courage, and in so large a body that they would certainly have
taken it by storm but for our cannon and the desperate courage we
displayed for the preservation of our lives. During this night, the
whole of us remained under arms ready for action, and the horses stood
ready saddled and bridled. Cortes was excessively grieved at the defeat
we had sustained, and despatched a letter to Alvarado by one of the
brigantines in which he told him not, under any circumstances, in future
to pass beyond a gap or opening in the causeway before it had been quite
filled up; and to keep the horses saddled all day and night, and to
observe the utmost vigilance.

Our recent defeat having taught us prudence, we set about filling up the
larger opening with the utmost expedition, and completed the work in
four days; though it was a labour of great difficulty, and we were the
whole time exposed to the attacks of the enemy, who killed six of our
men and wounded several others. During the night, each company watched
by turns to prevent the Mexicans from destroying our day's work.

As the Mexicans were encamped over against us, we could observe how they
regulated their night watches: they were relieved four times during the
night, and the men posted at such distances around a large fire, which
was kept up till morning, that they could not be seen excepting at the
moments when they poked the fire or when the next watch came to relieve.
On some nights the fire became extinguished by the rain, but it was
instantly relit; though everything was done in the utmost silence and
not a word was exchanged, for they only communicated with each other by
whistling. Many a time when we heard the guard approaching to relieve
the watch, our crossbow-men and musketeers would sh