Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1844-02-08

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After they had earnestly commended
themselves, therefore, to God, the Viz
Gin, and ST. James, Cortes led his bat.
tallons straight against the enemy.
1t was solemn Uoment-that, ir
which the devoted little band, with stead
last countenance. and their usual intre-
pid step. descended on the plain, TO be
swallowed up, as it were. IN their enc
mics. The latter rushed on with impe-
tuosity to meet them. making the noun
tains ting to their dreadful yells and bat
tie cries, and sending forth yolleys Oh
stones and arrows, which ior moment
Shut out the light Of day. But, when
the leading files Of the two armies clos.
ed, the superiority of the Christians was
felt. as their antagonists, Filling back
before the charges vi cavalry, were
thrown into confusion BIZ their own num-
bers who pressed on them from behind.
The Spanish infantry followed up tue
blow, aud wide lane was opened IN the
ranks OF the enemy. who, receding Oh all
sides. seemed willing to allow Tree
passage for their opponents But it was
to retarn Oh them with accustomed force.
as raIlyng they poured down upon the
Christians, enveloping The little army on
all sides, which. with its bristling array
Of long swords and javeIlns, stood firm
lin the words of a cotemporary-llke
an slet against which the breakers, roar
ing and surging, spent their fury in vain.
Tie struggle was desperate OF man ag-
ainst man The Tlascaian seemed to
renew his strength, as he fought almost
in view of their own native hills: as did
the Spaniar5s, with the horrible doom of
the captive before his eyes. Well did
The cavaliers do their duty on that day;
charging, little bodies Of four or five men
abreast, deep into the enemy's ranks, ri
ding over the broken files, and by this
temporary advantage giving strength and
courage to the infantry. Not lance
was therr that did not reek with the
blood of the infdei. Among the resi-.
the young captain Sandoyal is particular
" COMMUNICATED for his daring PROV
ess. Managing his fiery steed with easy
horsemanship, he darted, when least eX-
expected, into the thlckest Of the melee,
overturning the staunchest warriors, and
rejoicing in danger, as ii it were his nat
urai element.
But these gallant displays Of heruism
served only TO en2ulI the SpaDiards dee
per and deeper in the mass of the enemy,
with scarcely any more chance Of cutting
their way through his dense and interim
nabte battalions, than Ct hewing pass
age with their swords through the moun-
tains. Many of the Tlascalans and
some Of the Spanlards had fallen, and
not one had been wounded. Cortes him
self bad received a second cut on the
head. and his horse WAS So much injured
that he was compelled 10 disiaount, and
take one from the baggage train. strong
boned animal, who carried him well thr0'
the turmoil of the day. The contest had
n0w lasted several hours. The sun rode
high in the heavens and she'd an intoler
able eerYor over the plain. The Chris
tians. weakened by previous suiernes,
and faint with the loss Of blood, begar
to relax in their desperate exertions.-
Their enemies. constantly supported by
fresh relays from the rear, were still it
good heart, and. quick to perceive their
advantage pressed with redoubled force
on the Spaniards, The horse fell back
crowded on the foot; aud the latter ii
vain seeking for passage amidst The
dnsky throngs ct the enemy, who now
rn, ho tbrn-xp =,
some disorder. The tide Of battle wa:
settling rapidly against the Christians =
! Tie fate Of the day would soon be deci
ded: and all that now remained for then
seemed to be to sell their lives as dear a.
possible.
At this critical moment, Coites, whose
restless eye had been wandering rounC
the field in quest of any means Of arres
ting the coming ruin. rising IN his str
runs deserted at distance, in the midst
the chief who from his dress and mill
tary cortege he knew must be the com
mander of the barbarian forces. He wa
covered with a rich surtout OF feather
work; and a penache of beautiful piu
mes, gorgeuusiy set in gold and precious
stones, fioated above his head. Rlsln:
above This. and attached to his back, be
tween his shoulders. vas d sholt stat
bearing golden net for anner-th'
singular, but customary symbol OF au
thority Of an Aztec commander. IhC
cacique, whose name was CIhuaca, was
borne on litter, and body OF young
warriors, whose gay and ornamental dres
ses showed them to be the flower OF the
Indian mobiles, stood round as guard o.
his person and the sacred emblem.
The eagle eye of Cortes no sooner lei
on the parsonage, than it lighted up viii
triumph. Turning quickly round to the
cavaliers at his side, among whom were
SandovaI. Old, Alyarado, aud Avila, he
pointed out the chief, exclaimng. There
is our mark Follow aud support me .
Then crying his war cry. and striking
his iron heel into his steed. he plunged
beadIong into the thickest Of the press
His enemies fell back, taken by surprise
anil launted by the ferocity Of the attack