The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-04-28
PAGES 10 TO "a

endure it. The Mexicans took everything
they had, and even took their wives and
daughters, if they were pretty. and forced
| them in the presence of their husbands
and fathers and brothers.
Now having heard that the people of
| Cholula and Tecamachalco were
living pea eefully and without mo-
lestation since they had placed them
selves under our protection, the people of
Guacachnla sent secretly by night four of
their principal men to Cortes asking
him to send a force of Teules and horses
that they ana their neighbors light aid
us in driving out and killing the Mexican
forces in their town. When Cortes heard
this he determined to send on the expe-
dition Cristobal de Oil, with 800 foot SOL
diers and all of our best horses and cross
bowmen and large force of Ilascalans
for because of the great booty they had OBJ
tanned in Tepeyaca, great force of
TlascalanS had come to our camp. and
they were ready to go anywhere with us.
On the march it seems that certain In
dians told some of the soldiers of Narvaez
that all the houses of the town were full
of Mexican warriors. and the surround
ing country also, a much greater number
than there had been at Otumba, and that
Guatemoc, the new King of Mexico. was
there with them. and in short they told
them SO many things that the soldiers of
Narvaez were territed
expedition from the rrst or for wars of
any kind but wanted to return to Cuba
to their homes, as they had fresh in their
minds their escape from the CalZadas in
Mexico and the hordes of Indian warriors
at Otumb a. So they said to Cristobal de
Oil that they would go no farther but
would return. as this war was likely to be
worse than the other one where so many
had lost their lives, and that if he wante
to go forward to go in Gods name and
IN a lucky hour, but that they would go
no farther. So that althogh Cristobal
de Oil was bold Captain and told them
that his orders were to go ahead and not
to go back, and said that if they did now
turn back it would lead the Indians to
think they were afraid, and the soldiers of
Cortes who were with him also told them
that they had been in many other expe-
ditions and thanks to God they had con-
quered and come out with their lives,
nothing could change them. From
Cholula Cristobal wrote to Cortes. And
when Cortes learned of the matter he was
angry, and he wroe to Cristobal de Oh,
sending two crossbowmen and saying
that he marveled mt one of his valor al
lowing himself to be changed by anyone
In thing determined on as this eXpe-
ditlon had been. And when Cristobal
de Oil read this letter he was wild with
anger and he SAID that those who had
advised him had advised him badly AMI
mediately ordered all the force to march.
saying that those who did not want to
go on might return to the camp where
Cortes would punish them. AS he had
become as savage as lion, all went
forward and when they arrived within
league of Guacachula the Caciques of
that town came out to tell him that the
Mexican forces were disposed within, and
the manner in which he should attack
them. And when Cristobal de Oil under
stood all this he arranged his forces and
attacked the place. The fight was a short
one and was hot and savage. but notwith-
standing that they fought well, within an
hour the MeXicans were in full flight
from the town.
In this fight the Tlascalans fought like
good warriors, and they were aided by
the people of the town and province they
did fearful damage to the Mexican squad
rons, which retreated to the town of Ozu-
ca. Eight of our soldiers were wounded
in attacking sort of fertilization with
in the town. and we had besides two
horses wounded. There was already
large force OF Mexicgps in Ozucar and the
town was well fortified, and they broke
down q bridge SO tnat the horse of Chris
toba de OH could not come over But
Cristobal de Oil, who from sheer rage
was like tiger, did not delay in pursu-
with all OF his forces that were able to
follow him, and with our friends of Qua
cachula Immediately crossed the river
and attacked the Mexican forces, and
after short ticht completely routed
them. But we lost two horses in the at
tack and Cristobal de Oil was WOUNDED
twice and his horse was also badly
wounded. We remained two days in
Ozucar and as the MeXicans had been
totally defeated the CaciQues OF that place
and of the surrounding towns and coun-
Try came in and asked for peace and ac-
knowledged themselves vassas of our lord
the King. And as all were now brought
to peace. Ciistobal de Oil returned to Sc
gura de la Frontera with his forces.
In what | relate regarding this expedi-
ton | tell it as | heard it, for | was not
with them. When they arrived near or
camp Cortes and all of us went out to
meet them, and we were all well pleased at
the result and we laughed at the men of
Narvaez and their fears, and Cristobal de
Oil also laughed and he said tnat some
of them thought a great deal more of
their wives in Cuba than of using their
arms, and he swore to God that in case
it fell to him to go on another expedition
he would take none with him but the
poor soldiers of Cortes, who were content
to be commanded by their officers and
fight like soldiers.