ns had
posted their scouts in all quarters to watch our movements, so that they
might be able to throw a body of troops into any place we might threaten
to attack.

On this occasion again they had received due information of our design,
and they had strengthened the garrison of Iztapalapan with above 8000
warriors; so that we found a considerable army ready to receive us in
front of that town. The enemy bravely stood their ground for a
considerable length of time, but at last gave way, so vigorously did we
set upon them with our horse, crossbows, and muskets; while our friends
of Tlascalla rushed upon them like so many furious dogs. The Mexicans
now retreated into the town itself, where we pursued them; but this it
appears was by a preconcerted plan, and had almost proved fatal to us.
The enemy retreated before us, threw themselves into their canoes, and
concealed themselves, partly in the houses which stood in the water, and
partly among the reeds which grew in the lake. By this time it was quite
dark, and as the enemy remained perfectly quiet, we contented ourselves
with the victory we had gained, and neglected to observe our usual
military precautions. While we thus thought ourselves secure, and least
of all imagined we were threatened by any danger, so vast a flood of
water rushed all of an instant into the town, that we must undoubtedly
have all been drowned, if the distinguished Tezcucans who were with us
had not given us timely notice to quit the houses. The enemy had cut
through two dams, and thereby at once inundated the town; so that many
of our Tlascallan friends, who were not accustomed to deep waters, and
consequently unable to swim, were drowned. We others likewise got a
thorough wetting, lost our powder, and were obliged to retreat from the
town in all haste, with great risk of our lives. And thus, with our
clothes completely drenched, with empty stomachs, and shivering with
cold, we passed a most terrible night, the enemy continually assailing
our ears with derisive shouts and horrible yells from their canoes and
houses. But something still worse awaited us, for the inhabitants of
Mexico, who had been apprized of our perilous situation, now came
advancing towards us in vast numbers, both by land and water, and fell
upon us the next morning with such dreadful fury, that it was only by
exerting ourselves to the utmost we were able to make a stand against
them. In this engagement we lost two Spaniards and o