where we could not well get at them; and then they would seek, refuge in neighboring creeks and inlets. After we had rested a couple of hours in Tacuba, our captain with several officers and soldiers, including myself, ascended the great temple from which we had view of the city of Mexico, and of the lake and other cities standing in the water. When the men who had never been there before saw the splendor before them, they could scarcely find words, and when further they gazed more carefully upon the great city, on the multitude of canoes hurrying up and down the lake, some laden with food, others empty, others with fishermen, they marvelled still more and said our coming to New Spain was not by the power of man alone, but by the great mercy of God; and moreover, never, in any writing, had they read of vassals who had done such signal service to their king as we had rendered ours.
While Cortes and all of us stood there gazing on the wonderful city, and pointing out the lofty temple of Huitzilopochtli, the buildings where we were lodged, and the causeways and bridges along which we had retreated, Cortes sighed deeply and with great sadness. One of our number, rousing him from his contemplation, said, "Captain, do not give way to grief. It is ever so in war time." "How often have I not offered peace to that city!" answered Cortes. "But I am not grieving over that
