I doe much maruell at the greatenesse of your inuincible heartes in battell: you were wont to be desirous of warres, and nowe that suche iust and laudable warre doth offer it selfe, you doe feare and refuse the same: sure it is a thing cleane contrary to oure nature. What is hée that will prate of harnes, and neuer ware none? It was neuer yet séene in all this _India_ and new world, that any of our nation retired with feare. And woulde you nowe that it should be said, that _Cortes_ and his company fledde, being in securitie, and without perill or daunger? I beséech God not to permitte any suche thing. The warres doe muche consist in fame: why then? what better thyng would you desire, than to be héere in _Tlaxcallan_ in despite of all youre enimies, yea proclayming open warres againste them, and they not dare to annoy vs? Therefore you may well consider, that héere you are more sure than if you were from hence, so that héere in _Tlaxcallan_ you are honored with securitie and strength, and besides this, you haue al things necessary for phisick and medicine to cure youre woundes and obteyne your health: yea, and I am bolde to saye, that if you were in youre owne naturall Coütrey, you should not haue the like, nor yet be so much made off. I do nowe meane to send for our men that are in _Coazacoalco_ and _Almeria_, and so we shall haue a reasonable army: yea and although they come not, wée are sufficient, for we were fewer in number when first we entred into thys Countrey, hauyng no friendes: and likewise you knowe well, it is not the number that doth fighte, but the couragious hearte and minde. I haue séene one of you discomfyte a whole army, as _Ionathas_ did, yea and many among you haue had victory against a thousand, yea ten thousand _Indians_, as King _Dauid_ had againste the _Philistines_. I looke dayly for Horses from the Ilandes, and other armoure and artillerie we shall haue from _Vera Crux_. And as for vittayles, take you no care, for I wyll prouide you abundantly, for they are thinges that alwayes followe the Conqueroures: and as for these Citizens of _Tlaxcallan_, I binde my selfe that you shall finde them trustie, loyall, and perpetuall friendes, for so they haue promised me vppon their solemne othes, yea, and if they had meante otherwise, what better opportunitie of time could they haue wished, thä these latter dayes, where as we lay sicke in their owne beddes and houses, yea some of vs lame, wounded, and in manner rotten, and they like louing friendes haue not only holpen you, but also serued you with diligence of seruantes, for they woulde rather choose to be your slaues, than subiectes to the _Mexicans_: theyr hatred is suche to them, and their loue so great to you. And bycause you shall sée the troth, I will now proue them and you, againste these of _Tepeacac_, who slewe of late dayes twelue Spanyardes. And if this iourney happen euill, then will I followe youre request, and if it please God that it