arms by planting our standard on the top. When the flames we set to idols and chapel shot up from the summit of the building, Cortes was hotly engaged with the enemy in another quarter of town, but he heartily wished he were with us—they even said he was envious of our luck. But he could not come, for a good mile lay between him and us, and moreover, fierce attacks to overcome at many bridges and water openings.
Day after day passed without the Mexicans seeming inclined to sue for peace. We were all of us now fortified in the great market place to save the trouble of marching every morning from camps two miles off. But Cortes would not let us pull down any more houses or advance further into the city. In hopes of peace he forwarded still another message to Guatemoc begging him to surrender, promising that he should be respected and should continue to govern all his territory and cities. And Cortes sent the monarch such food as he had—maize cakes, fowls, prickly pears and cacao. Upon this Guatemoc took counsel with his caciques and they all agreed the answer should be, "Guatemoc wishes peace and at the end of three days will meet Cortes to settle terms." Four Mexican chiefs came to our camp with this reply. We really believed the promise true, and Cortes set forth plenty for them to eat and supplies to carry to their monarch—who returned the
