ry one present then swore that they would exert themselves
unceasingly day and night, and sacrifice their lives in the defence of
the metropolis. They likewise found means to provide for their most
pressing wants by making arrangements with the inhabitants of Xochimilco
and other townships to provide them with water; and in Mexico itself new
wells were dug, from which, contrary to all expectations, they obtained
drinkable water. All hostilities had now been staid for two days in
expectation of an answer from Quauhtemoctzin; when all of a sudden our
three camps were attacked by immense bodies of the enemy with lion-like
fierceness, and with such confidence as though they were sure of
victory. During this attack, Quauhtemoctzin's horn was sounded, and it
was with great difficulty we prevented the enemy from disordering our
ranks; for the Mexicans now ran right upon our swords and lances, so
that we were obliged to fight them foot to foot.

We certainly each time remained master of the field, and at length got
more accustomed to these attacks; yet many of us were continually
wounded. In this way the infuriated enemy fell upon us at different
points for six or seven days consecutively, and great was the slaughter
we made among their ranks; but we could not give them a complete
overthrow.

One time the Mexicans cried out, "What does Malinche mean by his
repeated offers of peace? Does he imagine we are so foolish as to listen
to him? Our gods have promised us victory, and we have abundance of
provisions and water. Not one of you will escape alive from here;
therefore speak no more to us about terms of peace. Such things belong
to women; arms were made for man!"

With these words they fell upon us with the fury of mad dogs, and the
combat lasted until the darkness of night put an end to it. We then as
usual marched back to our encampment, having first ordered our Indian
auxiliaries from the causeway. We then posted our watches for the night,
and ate the little supper we could get under arms, after having fought
from the first dawn of day to the fall of night.

In this way the siege continued many days, until three townships in
alliance with Mexico, named Matlaltzinco and Malinalco, the third I have
forgotten, which lay about thirty-two miles from Mexico, agreed to fall
upon our rear with their united forces, while the Mexicans, at the same
moment, were to attack us from the city. In this way they thought they
could not fai