count of their ignorance of our laws and articles of
war; he must now likewise forbid them, under any pretence whatever, to
kill any Mexicans that might be taken prisoners; for he was anxious to
make himself master of the city, by pacifying its inhabitants.

After Cortes had done speaking, he embraced Chichimeclatecl, the two
younger Xicotencatls, and Suchel of Tezcuco, bestowed great praise on
their faithful adherence to our emperor, promising to reward them with a
larger extent of territory than they already possessed, besides a gift
of numerous slaves. He was equally kind towards the caziques of
Topoyanco, Huexotzinco, and of Cholulla, and then distributed these
Indian auxiliaries equally among the three divisions.

As our battles with the Mexicans continued day after day in the same
manner, I will not go so much into particulars as heretofore. I have
merely to add, that during these days it began to rain very fast every
evening, and that the heavier the showers the more welcome they were to
us; for as soon as the Mexicans were wet they desisted from their
attacks, and did not molest us on our retreats at night. Neither must I
omit to mention that towards the close of the ninety-three days in which
we kept Mexico closely besieged, we upon one occasion fell with our
divisions at the same moment into the town, and fought our way up to the
wells, from which the Mexicans, as I have above mentioned, drew all
their drinkable water. These wells we completely destroyed; but we
certainly did not accomplish this without encountering a severe
opposition from the enemy, who directed their long lances more
particularly against our cavalry, which here galloped up and down on the
level dry ground in fine style.

CHAPTER CLIV.

_How Cortes offers terms of peace to Quauhtemoctzin._

After we had by degrees gained so many advantages over the Mexicans,
taken most of the bridges, causeways, and entrenchments, and levelled so
many houses to the ground, Cortes determined to despatch three
distinguished Mexicans, whom we had taken prisoners, to Quauhtemoctzin,
to offer him terms of peace. At first the three men refused to accept of
this commission, assuring our general that Quauhtemoctzin would put them
to death if they came with such a message. But at length, by fair words
and promises, added to some valuable presents, he persuaded them into
compliance. He then desired them to take the following message to their
monarch: