e, and their warriors much more numerous than those of the
tribes just mentioned, who had courageously attacked and killed
fifty-six of our men. It was owing to these reproaches that they now
likewise took up arms against us. Cortes observing these preparations,
desired our interpreter Aguilar, who perfectly understood the language
of Tabasco, to ask some Indians who were passing by in a large canoe,
what the meaning was of all this noise? we had not come to do them any
harm; on the contrary, we were disposed to treat them as our brethren,
and share our victuals with them: they should be careful how they went
to war with us, for they would certainly have to repent it. This and
many other things were told them by Aguilar, to incline them to peace,
but the more he said the more insolent they became, threatening to
destroy us all should we dare to set foot on their territory or in their
town, which they had fortified by means of heavy trees felled for the
purpose, and a strong stone wall. Aguilar, however, made another attempt
to bring about peace, and obtain us permission to take in fresh water,
barter for provisions, and incline them to listen to the disclosures we
came to make in the name of our God. They, however, persisted we should
not pass beyond the palm trees; if we did, they would kill us all.

When Cortes found that all attempts to make peace were fruitless, he
ordered the small vessels and boats to prepare for battle. Three pieces
of cannon were put on board of each of the former, the crossbow-men and
musketeers being equally distributed among them. We remembered, during
the expedition under Grijalva, that a narrow road ran from the palm
trees along some quagmires and wells to the town. Cortes here posted
three sentinels to watch whether the Indians went home at night, if so,
to send him immediate notice. Information was soon brought in the
affirmative. The rest of the day was now spent in reconnoitring the
territory, and fitting out the vessels. The next morning early, after we
had attended mass and well armed ourselves, Cortes despatched Alonso de
Avila with one hundred men, among whom were ten crossbow-men, along the
narrow road above mentioned, leading to the town, which, as soon as he
should hear the firing of cannon, he was to attack on one side, while we
did the same from the other; Cortes himself, with the rest of our
officers and men, moving up the river in the small vessels and our
boats.

When the I