points among the crossbowmen, and to see that they fixed the points neatly, and put the feathers on with a paste (which sticks better than that from Spain) made from some roots. Every crossbowmen also was to have two well-twisted cords for his bow, and also two nuts, and the whole company were to shoot at heaps of earth to see what distance the crossbows would carry. The horsemen were also to have their horses fresh shod, and to get their lances ready and to exercise their horses in such ways as galloping and turning quickly.
Cortes then sent word to the caciques of Tlaxcala that we should soon leave Texcoco and begin the siege of Mexico, and that he wanted them to send twenty thousand warriors from Tlaxcala, Cholula and other peoples. But the message was unnecessary. All knew of the meeting and the plan, and all were now our brothers in arms. From every side most friendly assurances of assistance reached us.
A muster of our troops the second week after Easter in the large square of Texcoco made our number eighty-four horsemen, six hundred and fifty foot soldiers, some with swords and shields and others with lances, and one hundred and ninety-four crossbowmen and musketeers. From these, twelve crossbowmen and musketeers were chosen to man each of the thirteen sloops. Twelve other men and a cap-
