ABSTRACT
Desirous to keep up the terror of the Castilian name by leaving the enemy no respite, Hernando Cortes, on the same day that he despatched the embassy to Tlascala, put himself at the head of a small corps of cavalry and light troops to scour the neighbouring country. While the Tlascalans were still in the camp, an embassy was announced from Montezuma. The joy of the army was great at the sure intimation of the close of hostilities; and it was with difficulty that Cortes was enabled to restore the men to tranquillity and the assumed indifference which it was proper to maintain in presence of an enemy. The Spaniards gazed with curious eye on the valiant chief who had so long kept his enemies at bay, and who advanced with the firm and fearless step of one who was coming rather to bid defiance than to sue for peace.
