By These
Means He Obtained 150 Men For This Service, Who Were In Fact In A Much
Better Situation Than We Who Bore The Brunt And Danger Of The War On Land,
As Will Appear In The Sequel.
When all this was arranged, and the crews
embarked along with their commanders, each brigantine hoisted a royal
standard, and every one a distinguishing flag.
Cortes likewise gave the
captains written instructions for their guidance, dividing them into
squadrons, each of which was to co-operate with a particular leader of the
land forces.
Cortes now issued the following general orders to the army: 1. No person
to blaspheme the Lord Jesus, his Virgin Mother, the Holy Apostles, or any
of the Saints, under heavy penalties. 2. No soldier to maltreat any of our
allies in their persons or properties. 3. No soldier to be absent from
quarters on any pretence. 4. Every soldier to keep his arms, both
offensive and defensive, in the best order. 5. No soldier to stake his
horse or arms in gaming. 6. No soldier to sleep out of his armour, or
without his arms beside him, except when disabled by wounds or sickness.
Lastly, the penalty of death was denounced for sleeping on guard, for a
sentinel quitting his post, for absence from quarters without leave, for
quitting the ranks in the field, or for flight in battle.
At this time our allies of Tlascala arrived under the command of
Xicotencatl the younger, who was accompanied by his two brothers.
Enter page number
PreviousNext
Page 253 of 796
Words from 69619 to 69872
of 221091
