The nexte day following, Cortes sente vnto the prouinces of Tlaxcallan, Huexocinco, Chololla, Chal, and other Townes, warning thē within tenne dayes to come vnto Tezcuco, with theyr armoure, weapon, and other necessaries, for the séege of Mexico. He certifyed them also, how the Vergantines were ready with all other furniture accordingly, and the Spanyardes were very desirous to lose no time, wherefore they meante not to delay their pretence, farther than the day appoynted.
The Indians hearing this newes, and bycause they would not come too late to the beginning of the assaulte, came incontinente, and entred into Tezcuco in good order of warre, aboue sixtie thousand men, gallantly trimmed after their vse and custome. Cortes friendly welcommed them, and prouided them lodgings accordingly.
On Whitsonday, all the Spanyardes came into the fielde, whereas Cortes made thrée chiefe Captaynes among whome he deuided his whole army. Vnto Pedro de Aluarado the first Captayne, he appoynted thirtie horsemen, and a hundred and seauentie footemen of the Spanyardes, two péeces of ordinance, and thirtie thousande Indians, commaunding him to campe in Tlacopan. Vnto Cristoual de Olid the seconde Captayne, he gaue thrée and thirtie Horsemen, and a hundred and eyghtéene footemen of the Spanish nation, two péeces of ordinance, and thirtie thousand Indians, and appoynted him to pitch his camp in Culhuacan. To Gonsalo de Sandoual who was the thyrde Captayne, he gaue thrée and twenty Horsemen, and 160. footemen, two péeces of Ordinance, and 40000. Indians, with commission to choose a place to pitch his Campe.
In euery Vergantine he planted a péece of ordināce, sixe hargabushes, or crossebowes, and 23. Spaniards, mē most fittest for that purpose. He appointed also Captaynes for eache, and himselfe for general, whereof some of the chiefest of his companye began to murmure that wente by lande, thinking that they had bin in greater daunger, wherefore they required him to goe with the mayne battell, and not by water. Cortes little estéemed their words, for although it is more daunger in the water than in the land, yet it did more importe to haue greater care in the warres by water, than on the land, bycause his men had bin in the one, and not in the other.
On the tenth of May Aluarado, and Cristoual de Olid departed, and went that night to a Towne called Acolman, where was betwéene them greate discorde touchyng their lodgings, yea and if Cortes had not sente to take vp the matter, much mischiefe had ensued. The nexte daye they lodged in Xolotepec, whych was not inhabited. The thyrde daye they came vnto Tlacopan, whyche was also as all the Townes of the lake, wythout people, there they were lodged in the Lordes house of the Towne.
The Tlaxcaltecas began to viewe Mexico by the calsey, and foughte with their enimies, vntill the nighte made them to ceasse.
On the thirtéenth of May, Cristoual de Olid came to Chapultepec, and brake the conduites of swéete water, wherevpon Mexico was destitute of the same, being the conduit that did prouide all the Citie. Pedro de Aluarado wyth his company procured to amende all the broken places of the calsey, that the horsemen might haue frée passage, and hauing muche to do in these affaires, he spente thrée dayes, and fighting with many enimies, some of his men were hurt, and many Indian friendes slayn. Aluarado abode in Tlacopan with his armye, and Cristoual de Olid retired to Culhuacan with his men, according to the instruction receyued from Cortes, and fortifyed themselues in the Lordes houses of the Towne, and euery daye skyrmished with the enimies, and some went to the Townes néere at hande, and brought Centli, fruite, and other prouision. In this businesse they occupyed théēselues a whole wéeke.