Note 1171 — Chapter XXXIII · CONTINUATION OF THE SIEGE. June-July, 1521.

So deeply affected was Bernal Diaz, among others, by the sight, and by the fear of himself falling captive—twice had he narrowly escaped—that he ever after had an oppressive feeling before battle. He then had recourse to prayer, and this invariably fortified him for the fight, so that he always maintained his reputation as a good soldier. He enumerates several incidents to prove that he was esteemed a brave man. Hist. Verdad., 157. Oviedo, referring to human sacrifices among the Romans, observes that they could not have been half so fearful. iii. 515.