On its flanks were large bodies of natives; who, however, contented themselves by hovering at a distance; except where the ground was impracticable for the action of cavalry, when they approached near enough to discharge their missiles at the line of troops.

As the head of the column approached, Roger threw oil' his Aztec cloak and, accompanied by Bathalda, issued from the wood and ran towards them, and in two or three minutes reached the horsemen who rode in the van.
"Why, Sancho!" Cortez exclaimed, as Roger ran up.

"Is it you?
We all thought you had fallen in the fight on the causeway.

I am glad to see that you are safe.

How did you escape ?" "I was, like many others, your Excellency, seized by the Aztecs, pulled down the causeway, and thrown into a boat.