_How the inhabitants of Quauhquechola called upon Cortes, and begged
of him to drive out the Mexican troops from their town, as they were
plundered and ill-used by them._
The new king of Mexico had thrown strong garrisons into all the
townships which lay on the boundaries, particularly into Quauhquechola
and Ozucar,[100] which lay about twelve miles from each other, as he was
sure we should enter his territories at those points. These garrisons
allowed themselves excessive liberties under their new master, and
committed so many atrocities against the inhabitants, that these were
determined to bear it no longer. They not only complained of being
robbed of their garments, their maise, their fowls, and their gold, but
that the Mexicans likewise forcibly carried off their daughters and
wives, if they were pretty, and violated them in the presence of their
parents and their husbands.
When the Quauhquechollans saw how peaceably and quiet the Cholullans
lived ever since they had been without a Mexican garrison, and that the
same happiness and security might be enjoyed in Tepeaca, Tecalco, and in
Quauhquechola, they secretly despatched four distinguished personages to
Cortes, begging of him to send them his teules, with their horses, to
rid them of their oppressors. They themselves, with the inhabitants of
the whole district, would assist us, and both together could easily
overcome the Mexican troops. Cortes, on this representation, resolved to
send thither, under Oli, a strong detachment, consisting of 300 men,
with the greater part of our cavalry and crossbow-men, besides a
numerous body of Tlascallans, who had greatly increased in numbers since
the rich booty they had made in Tepeaca.
Among the 300 of our own troops there were many of Narvaez's men who
became quite terrified when they understood they were going to march
against Indians; besides which, they had been informed that all the
fields and houses were filled with Mexican troops, and that their
numbers were even greater than at the battle of Otumpan, and that
Quauhtemoctzin commanded in person. They had, indeed, from the beginning
showed great unwillingness to join us in this new campaign, and all
their thoughts were bent upon their return to Cuba. Now again all their
late misfortunes, and the perils they had undergone, came forcibly to
their minds: the lamentable flight out of Mexico, the terrible struggle
at the bridges, and the battle of Otumpan. Such dangers, they said, they
would not run the risk of encountering again, and they most earnestly
begged of Oli to return to head-quarters, as this expedition could not
fail to end more seriously than all the foregoing, and every man of them
would perish. It was in vain that Oli expostulated with them, and told
them they were bound to march forward, and were in every way a match for
the Mexicans; that a retreat would inspire the enemy with fresh courage,
and that the level country was remarkably favorable for the manoeuvres
of the cavalry; they absolutely refused to advance another step. Cortes'
old soldiers, however, were determined to march forward, saying they had
braved greater dangers than this; that a merciful Providence had
everywhere protected them, and brought them forth victorious. But all
these arguments were fruitless, and at last they succeeded in persuading
Oli, by their prayers and lamentations, to turn back; and he took the
road to Cholulla, from whence he wrote Cortes word of the state of
things.
When the latter received this information he was greatly vexed, and he
immediately despatched two crossbow-men with a letter to Oli, in which
he expressed great surprise at his indetermination and weakness of mind;
as on former occasions no arguments had ever been able to dissuade him
from fulfilling the commands he had once received.
When Oli had read this letter he became furious with chagrin, and
bitterly reproached those who had advised the retreat, and thereby
induced him to disobey his general's commands. He immediately issued
orders for every one to join his standard, and those who refused should
be sent back to our head-quarters, there to be punished by Cortes as
cowards and deserters.
The vexation which this matter occasioned Oli had converted him into a
very lion, and in this mood he marched his men onwards to Quauhquechola.
He had scarcely arrived to within four miles of this place, when he was
met by the caziques, who pointed out to him the best mode of attacking
the Mexicans, and assured him he would be assisted by the inhabitants.
They had hardly done speaking, when the Mexicans, who had received
intelligence of Oli's approach, marched boldly against him. The battle
now soon commenced, and the Mexicans certainly fought courageously for a
considerable time, wounded several Spaniards, killed two horses, and
wounded eight others from out a species of fortification which they had
constructed here; but after an hour's fighting they were completely
beaten out of the field. The Tlascallans behaved with uncommon bravery,
and killed many of the enemy, besides taking a great number of
prisoners; and as they were joined by the inhabitants of the surrounding
country, the carnage among the Mexican troops was very great. The latter
now retreated, and fortified themselves in a township named Ozucar,[101]
which had been garrisoned by another body of Mexicans. This place was
even rendered strong by nature, and the enemy had burnt down a bridge,
to prevent our cavalry from entering the town. But, as I have before
stated, vexation had turned Oli into a very lion, and he was determined
that nothing should obstruct his progress. He therefore marched, with
all those who would follow him, immediately upon Ozucar, passed the
river with his new allies of Quauhquechola, and fell so furiously upon
the Mexicans, that they soon gave way, and fled in disorder. Here again
two horses were killed, Oli himself wounded in two places, and his horse
very severely.
He remained two days at Ozucar, during which time the caziques of the
whole surrounding country came to sue for peace, and declared
themselves vassals of our emperor. After he had thus restored
tranquillity to the whole country he returned to Villa Segura.
I myself was not present at this battle, and I therefore merely relate
what I learnt from others respecting it. Cortes and the whole of us
marched out to meet the returning conquerors, and the rejoicings, as may
be imagined, were very great on this occasion. The retreat to Cholulla
was now turned into matter of ridicule. Oli himself could not help
laughing at it, and observed, that many of his troops thought more of
their mines in Cuba than of their arms, and he swore that he would never
again command any of those rich followers of Narvaez on such occasions,
but only take with him a few of the poor soldiers of Cortes.
On this occasion Gomara relates, that Oli turned back in consequence of
a mistake between the interpreters, and had feared there was some
treachery on hand. This, however, is incorrect; for his return to
Cholulla was entirely owing to the fear and anxiety of Narvaez's men,
whom the Indians had crammed with all manner of fearful tales.
Gomara likewise says, that Cortes commanded in person on this occasion,
but this is an untruth, for it was Oli. It is equally erroneous when he
says that it were the Huexotzincans who had alarmed Narvaez's men with
the exaggerated account respecting the Mexicans, when the former passed
through their town. This is a shocking blunder, for it would be equally
absurd for any one who wished to go from Tepeaca to Quauhquechola, to
turn back to Huexotzinco, as it would be in going from Medina del Campo
to Salamanca, to take the road over Valladolid. In the meantime other
news had arrived from Vera Cruz, which will be found in the following
chapter.
[100] Most probably Iztucan. (p. 370.)
[101] Cortes, in his despatches, calls this place Izzucan; the same, no
doubt, as Iztucan. (p. 372.)