 Book 6, Chapter 3 of the History of the Conquest of Mexico. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. History of the Conquest of Mexico by William H. Prescott. Book 6, Chapter 3. Second Reconnoitering Expedition. The capture of Cuernavaca battles at Xochimilco, narrow escape of Cortes, he enters Tacuba. Notwithstanding the relief which had been afforded to the people of Chalco, it was so ineffectual that envoys from that city again arrived at Tescuco, bearing a hieroglyphical chart on which were depicted several strong places in their neighborhood, garrisoned by the Aztecs, from which they expected annoyance. Cortes determined this time to take the affair into his own hands and to scour the country so effectually as to place Chalco, if possible, in a state of security. He did not confine himself to this object but proposed, before his return, to pass quite around the Great Lakes and reconnoiter the country to the south of them in the same manner as he had done to the west. In the course of his march, he would direct his arms against some of the strong places from which the Mexicans might expect support in the siege. Two or three weeks must elapse before the completion of the brigantines and, if no other good resulted from the expedition, it would give active occupation to his troops whose turbulent spirits might fester into discontent in the monotonous existence of a camp. He selected for the expedition thirty horse and three hundred Spanish infantry with a considerable body of Tlescalan and Tuscucan warriors. The remaining garrison he left in charge of the trusty Sandoval, who, with the friendly lord of the capital, would watch over the construction of the brigantines and protect them from the assaults of the Aztecs. On the fifth of April he began his march and on the following day arrived at Chalco where he was met by a number of the Confederate chiefs. With the aid of his faithful interpreters, Dona Marina and Aguilar, he explained to them the objects of his present expedition, stated his purpose soon to enforce the blockade of Mexico and required their cooperation with the whole strength of their levies. To this they readily assented and he soon received a sufficient proof of their friendly disposition in the forces which joined him on the march, amounting, according to one of the army, to more than had ever before followed his banner. Taking a southerly direction, the troops, after leaving Chalco, struck into the recesses of the wild Sierra, which, with its bristling peaks, serves as a formidable palisade to fence round the beautiful valley, while within its rugged arms it shuts up many a green and fruitful pasture of its own. As the Spaniards passed through its deep gorges, they occasionally wound around the base of some huge cliff or rocky eminence on which the inhabitants had built their town in the same manner as was done by the people of Europe in the feudal ages. A position which, however favorable to the picturesque, intimates a sense of insecurity as the cause of it, which may reconcile us to the absence of this striking appendage on the landscape in our own more fortunate country. The occupants of these eerie pinnacles took advantage of their situation to shower down stones and arrows upon the troops, as they defiled through the narrow passes of the Sierra. Though greatly annoyed by their incessant hostilities, Cortes held on his way, till winding around the base of a castellated cliff occupied by a strong garrison of Indians, he was so severely pressed that he felt to pass on without chastising the aggressors would imply a want of strength, which must disparage him in the eyes of his allies. Halting in the valley, therefore, he detached a small body of light troops to scale the heights, while he remained with the main body of the army below to guard against surprise from the enemy. The lower region of the rocky eminence was so steep that the soldiers found it no easy matter to ascend, scrambling as well as they could with hand and knee. But as they came up to the more exposed view of the garrison, the latter rolled down huge masses of rock, which, bounding along the declivity and breaking into fragments, crushed the foremost assailants and mangled their limbs in a frightful manner. Still they strove to work their way upward, now taking advantage of some golly, worn by the winter torrent, now sheltering themselves behind a projecting cliff for some straggling tree anchored among the crevices of the mountain. It was all in vain. For no sooner did they emerge again into open view than the rocky avalanche thundered on their heads with a fury against which steel-helm and queer-ass were as little defense as gossamer. All the party were more or less wounded. Eight of the number were killed on the spot, a loss the little band could ill afford, and the gallant ensign Coral, who led the advance, saw the banner in his hand torn to shreds. Cortes, at length convinced of the impractic ability of the attempt, at least without a more severe loss than he was disposed to incur, commanded a retreat. It was high time for a large body of the enemy on full march across the valley to attack him. He did not wait for their approach, but gathering his broken files together headed his cavalry and spurred bodily against them. On the level plain the Spaniards were on their own ground. The Indians, unable to sustain the furious onset, broke and fell back before it. The fight soon became a rout, and the fiery Cavaliers, dashing over them at full gallop or running them through with their lances, took some revenge for their late discomforture. The pursuit continued for some miles till the nimble foe made their escape into the rugged fastnesses of the Sierra, where the Spaniards did not care to follow. The weather was sultry, and as the country was nearly destitute of water, the men and horses suffered extremely. Before evening they reached a spot overshadowed by a grove of wild mulberry trees in which some scanty springs afforded a miserable supply to the army. Near the place rose another rocky summit of the Sierra, garrisoned by a stronger force than the one which they had encountered in the former part of the day, and at no great distance stood a second fortress at a still greater height, though considerably smaller than its neighbor. This was also tenanted by a body of warriors, who, as well as those of the adjoining cliff, soon made active demonstration of their hostility by pouring down missiles on the troops below. Cortes, anxious to retrieve the disgrace of the morning, ordered an assault on the larger and, as it seemed, more practicable eminence. But, though two attempts were made with great resolution, they were repulsed with loss to the assailants. The rocky sides of the hill had been artificially cut and smooth, so was greatly to increase the natural difficulties of the ascent. The shades of evening now closed around, and Cortes drew off his men to the mulberry grove, where he took up his bivouac for the night, deeply chagrined at having been twice foiled by the enemy on the same day. During the night, the Indian force, which occupied the adjoining height, passed over to their brethren to aid them in the encounter, which they foresaw would be renewed on the following morning. No sooner did the Spanish general, at the break of day, become aware of this maneuver, than, with his usual quickness, he took advantage of it. He detached a body of musketeers and crossbowmen to occupy the deserted eminence, purposing, as soon as this was done, to lead the assault in person against the other. It was not long before the Castilian banner was seen streaming from the rocky pinnacle, when the general instantly led up his men to the attack. And, while the garrison were meeting them resolutely on that quarter, the detachment on the neighboring heights poured into the place a well-directed fire which so much distressed the enemy that, in a very short time, they signified their willingness to capitulate. On entering the place, the Spaniards found that a plain of some extent ran along the crest of the Sierra and that it was tenanted not only by men, but by women and their families with their effects. No violence was offered by the victors to the property or persons of the vanquished, and the knowledge of Islamity induced the Indian garrison, who had made so stout a resistance on the morning of the preceding day, to tender their submission. After a halt of two days in this sequestered region, the army resumed its march in a southwesternly direction on Huax de Peck, the same city which had surrendered to Sandoval. Here they were kindly received by the casique and entertained in his magnificent gardens which Cortes and his officers, who had not before seen them, compared with the best in Castile. Still threading the wild mountain mazes, the army passed through Hout de Peck and several other places and were abandoned at their approach. As the inhabitants, however, hung in armed bodies on their flanks and rear, doing them occasionally some mischief, the Spaniards took their revenge by burning the deserted towns. Thus holding on their fiery track, they descended the bold slope of the Cordilleras, which on the south were far more precipitous than on the Atlantic side. Indeed, a single day's journey is sufficient to place the traveler on a level several thousand feet lower than that occupied by him in the morning, thus conveying him in a few hours through the climates of many degrees of latitude. On the ninth day of their march, the troops arrived before the strong city of Cuaunahuac, or Cuernavaca, as since called by the Spaniards. It was the ancient capital of the Tlauicas and the most considerable place for wealth and population in this part of the country. It was tributary to the Aztecs and a garrison of this nation within its walls. The town was singularly situated on a projecting piece of land encompassed by barancas or formidable ravines, except on one side, which opened on a rich and well-cultivated country. Four, though the place stood at an elevation of between five and six thousand feet above the level of the sea, it had a southern exposure so sheltered by the mountain barrier on the north that its climate was as soft and genial as that of a much lower region. The Spaniards, on arriving before this city, the limit of their southerly progress found themselves separated from it by one of the vast barancas before noticed, which resembled one of those frightful rents not unfrequent in the Mexican Andes, the result, no doubt, of some terrible convulsion in earlier ages. The rocky sides of the ravine sunk perpendicularly down and so bare as scarcely to exhibit even a vestige of the cactus or of the other hearty plants which nature in these fruitful regions so gracefully covers up her deformities. At the bottom of the ravine was seen a little stream which, oozing from the stony bowels of the Sierra, tumbled along its narrow channel and contributed by its perpetual moisture to the exuberant fertility of the valley. This rivulet, which at certain seasons of the year was swollen to a torrent, was traversed at some distance below the town where the sloping sides of the barancas formed a more practicable passage by two rude bridges, both of which had been broken in anticipation of the coming of the Spaniards. The latter had now arrived on the brink of the chasm. It was, as has been remarked, of no great width, and the army drawn up on its borders was directly exposed to the archery of the garrison on whom its own fire made little impression, protected as they were by their defences. The general, annoyed by his position, sent a detachment to seek a passage lower down by which the troops might be landed on the other side. But although the banks of the ravine became less formidable as they descended, they found no means of crossing the river till a path unexpectedly presented itself, on which probably no one before had ever been daring enough to venture. From the cliffs of the opposite sides of the barancas, two huge trees shot up to an enormous height and, inclining towards each other, interlaced their bows to a sort of natural bridge. Across this avenue, in mid-air, a Tlescalan conceived it would not be difficult to pass to the opposite bank. The bold mountaineer succeeded in the attempt and was soon followed by several others of his countrymen trained to feats of agility and strength among their native hills. The Spaniards imitated their example. It was a perilous effort for an armed man to make his way over this aerial causeway swayed to and fro by the wind where the brain might become giddy and where a single false movement of hand or foot would plunge him into the abyss below. Three of the soldiers lost their hold and fell. The rest, consisting of some twenty or thirty Spaniards and a considerable number of Tlescalans alighted in safety on the other bank. There hastily forming they marched with all speed on the city. The enemy, engaged in their contest with the Castilians on the opposite bank of the ravine, were taken by surprise, which indeed could scarcely have been exceeded if they had seen their foe drop from the clouds on the field of battle. They made a brave resistance, however, when fortunately the Spaniards succeeded in repairing one of the dilapidated bridges in such a manner as to enable both cavalry and foot to cross the river, though with much delay. The horse, under an Andres de Tapia, instantly rode up to the suker of their countrymen. They were soon followed by Cortes at the head of the remaining battalions, and the enemy, driven from one point to another, were compelled to evacuate the city and to take refuge among the mountains. The buildings in one quarter of the town were speedily wrapped in flames. The place was abandoned to pillage and, as it was one of the most opulent marts in the country, it amply compensated the victors for the toil and danger they had encountered. The trembling casiques, returning soon after to the city, appeared before Cortes, and deprecating his resentment by charging the blame, as usual, on the Mexicans, through themselves on his mercy. Satisfied with their submission, he allowed no further violence to the inhabitants. Having thus accomplished the great object of his expedition across the mountains, the Spanish commander turned his face northwards to recross the formidable barrier which divided him from the valley. The ascent, steep and laborious, was rendered still more difficult by fragments of rock and loose stones which encumbered the passes. The weather was sultry, and, as the stony soil was nearly destitute of water, the troops suffered severely from thirst. Several of them, indeed, fainted on the road, and a few of the Indian allies perished from exhaustion. The line of march must have taken the army across the eastern shoulder of the mountain, called the Cruz del Marques, or across of the Marques, from a huge stone cross erected there to indicate the boundary of the territories granted by the crown to Cortez as Marques of the valley. Much, indeed, of the route lately traversed by the troops lay across this princely domain subsequently assigned to the conqueror. The point of attack selected by the general was Chochamilco, or the field of flowers as its name implies, from the floating gardens which rode at anchor as it were on the neighboring waters. It was one of the most potent and wealthy cities in the Mexican valley and a staunch vessel of the Aztec crown. It stood like the capital itself, partly in the water, and was approached in that quarter by causeways of no great length. The town was composed of houses like those of most other places of like magnitude in the country, mostly of cottages or huts made of clay, and the light bamboo mingled with aspiring teocallus and edifices of stone belonging to the more opulent classes. As the Spaniards advanced, they were met by skirmishing parties of the enemy, who, after dismissing a light volley of arrows, rapidly retreated before them. As they took the direction of Chochamilco, Cortez inferred that they were prepared to resist him in considerable force. It exceeded his expectations. On traversing the principal causeway, he founded occupied at the further extremity the numerous body of warriors who, stationed on the opposite sides of a bridge, which had been broken, were prepared to dispute his passage. They had constructed a temporary barrier of palisades which screened them from the fire of the musketry. But the water in its neighborhood was very shallow, and the cavaliers and infantry plunging into it soon made their way swimming or wading as they could in face of a storm of missiles to the landing near the town. Near they closed with the enemy and, hand to hand, after a sharp struggle, drove them back on the city. A few, however, taking the direction of the open country were followed up by the cavalry. The great mass hotly pursued by the infantry were driven through street and lane without much further resistance. Cortez, with a few followers disengaging himself from the tumult, remained near the entrance of the city. He had not been there long followed by a fresh body of Indians who suddenly poured into the place from a neighboring dike. The general, with his usual fearlessness, threw himself into the midst in hopes to check their advance. But his own followers were too few to support him, and he was overwhelmed by the crowd of combatants. His horse lost his footing and fell, and Cortez, who received a severe blow on the head before he could rise, was seized and dragged off in triumph by the Indians. At this critical moment a Tlescalan who perceived the general's extremity spring like one of the wild ocelots of his own forests into the midst of the assailants and endeavored to tear him from their grasp. Two of the general's servants also speedily came to the rescue and Cortez, with their aid and that of the brave Tlescalan succeeded in regaining his feet and shaking off his enemies. To vault into the saddle and brandish his good lance for a moment, others of his men quickly came up in the clash of arms reaching the ears of the Spaniards who had gone in pursuit. They returned and, after a desperate conflict, forced the enemy from the city. Their retreat, however, was intercepted by the cavalry returning from the country, and thus hemmed in between the opposite columns they were cut to pieces or saved themselves only by plunging into the lake. This was the greatest personal danger that encountered. His life was in the power of the barbarians and, had it not been for their eagerness to take him prisoner, he must undoubtedly have lost it. To the same cause may be frequently attributed the preservation of the Spaniards in these engagements. It was not yet dusk when Cortez and his followers re-entered the city and the general's first act was to ascend a neighboring teokali and reconnoitered the surrounding country. He thereby held a sight that might have troubled a bolder spirit than his. The surface of the Salt Lake was darkened with canoes and the causeway, for many a mile with Indian squadrons, apparently on their march towards the Christian camp. In fact, no sooner had Guatemozin been apprised of the arrival of the white men at Xochimilco that he mustered his levies in great force to relieve the city. They were now on their march and, as the capital was but four leagues distant, would arrive soon after nightfall. Cortez made active preparations for the defense of his quarters. He stationed a corps of pikemen along the landing where the Aztecs would be likely to disembark. He doubled the sentinels and, with his principal officers, made the rounds repeatedly in the course of the night. In addition to other causes for watchfulness, the bolts of the crossbowmen were nearly exhausted and the archers were busily employed in preparing and adjusting shafts which great store had been provided for the army. There was little sleep in the camp that night. It passed away, however, without molestation from the enemy. Though not stormy, it was exceedingly dark. But, although the Spaniards on duty could see nothing, they distinctly heard the sound of many oars in the water at no great distance from the shore. Yet those on board the canoes made no attempt to land, distrusting or advised it may be made for their reception. With early dawn they were under arms and, without waiting for movement of the Spaniards, poured into the city and attacked them in their own quarters. The Spaniards, who were gathered in the area around one of the tail-collies, were taken at a disadvantage in the town where the narrow lanes and streets, many of them covered with a smooth and slippery cement, offered obvious impediments to the maneuvers of cavalry. The Spaniards were taken to the city by the Spaniards and crossed bowmen and poured such a lively, well-directed fire into the enemy's ranks as threw him into disorder and compelled him to recoil. The infantry, with their long pikes, followed up the blow and the horse, charging at full speed as the retreating Aztecs emerged from the city, drove them several miles along the main land. At some distance, however, they were met by a strong reinforcement of battle turned, and the Cavaliers swept along by it gave the rain to their steeds and rode back at full gallop towards the town. They had not proceeded very far when they came upon the main body of the army, advancing rapidly to their support. Thus strengthened, they once more returned to the charge and the rival hosts met together in full career with the shock of an earthquake. For a time victory seemed to hang in the balance as the mighty press reeled to and fro under the opposite impulse and a confused shout rose up towards heaven in which the war-woop of the savage was mingled with the battle cry of the Christian, a still stranger sound on those sequestered shores. But in the end, Castilian Baller, or rather Castilian arms and discipline, proved triumphant. The enemy faltered, gave way and recoiling step by step, the retreat soon terminated in a route and the Spaniards, following up the flying foe, drove them from the field with such dreadful slaughter that they made no further attempt to renew the battle. The victors were now undisputed masters of the city. It was a wealthy place well stored with Indian fabrics, cotton, gold, featherwork and other articles of luxury and use affording a rich booty to the soldiers. While engaged in the work of plunder, a party of the enemy landing from their canoes fell on some of the stragglers laden with merchandise and made four of them prisoners. It created a greater sensation among the troops than if ten times that number had fallen on the field. Indeed it was rare that a Spaniard allowed himself to be taken alive. In the present instance, the unfortunate men were taken by surprise. They were hurried to the capital and soon after sacrificed. When their arms and legs were cut off by the command of the ferocious young chief of the Aztecs and sent round cities with the assurance that this would be the fate of the enemies of Mexico. From the prisoners taken in the late engagement Cortes learned that the forces already sent by Guatemala formed but a small part of his levees that his policy was to send detachment after detachment until the Spaniards, however victorious they might come off from the contest with each individually, would in the end succumb from mere exhaustion and thus be vanquished as it were by their own victories. The soldiers having now sacked the city, Cortes did not care to await further assaults from the enemy in his present quarters. On the fourth morning after his arrival he mustered his forces on a neighboring plane. They came many of them reeling under the weight of their plunder. The general saw this with uneasiness. They were to march, he said, through a populous country all in arms to dispute their passage. To secure their safety they should move as light and unencumbered as possible. The sight of so much spoil would sharpen the appetite of their enemies and draw them on like a flock of famished eagles after their prey. But his eloquence was lost on his men who plainly told him that they had a right to the fruit of their victories and what they had won with their swords they knew well enough how to defend with them. Seeing them thus bent on their purpose the general did not care to balk their inclinations. He ordered the baggage to the center and placed a few of the cavalry over it, dividing the remainder between the front and rear, in which latter post, as that most exposed to attack, he also stationed his archibousiers and crossbowmen. Thus prepared he resumed his march, but first set fire to the combustible buildings of Shochimilko in retaliation for the resistance he had met there. The light of the burning city streamed high into the air, sending ominous glare far and wide across the waters and telling the inhabitants on their margin that the fatal strangers so long predicted by their oracles had descended like a consuming flame upon their borders. Small bodies of the enemy were seen occasionally at a distance, but they did not venture to attack the army on its march, which before noon brought them to Koho Wakan, a large town about two leagues distance from Shochimilko. One could scarcely travel that distance in this populous quarter of the valley without meeting with a place of considerable size, often times the capital of what had formerly been an independent state. The inhabitants, members of different tribes, and speaking dialect somewhat different, belonged to the same great family of nations who had come from the real or imaginary region of Estlán on the far northwest. Gathered round the shores of their alpine sea, these petty communities continued after their incorporation with the Aztec monarchy to maintain a spirit of rivalry in their intercourse with one another, which, as with the cities on the Mediterranean in the feudal ages, quickened their mental energies and raised the Mexican valley higher in the scale of civilization than most other quarters of Anahuac. The town at which the army had now arrived was deserted by its inhabitants, and Cortés halted two days there to restore his troops and give the needful attention to the wounded. He made use of the time to reconnoiter the neighboring ground and taking with him a strong detachment descended on the causeway which led from Cojuehuacán to the great avenue Istapalapán. At the point of intersection, called Xoloc, he found a strong barrier or fortification behind which a Mexican force was entrenched. Their archery did some mischief to the Spaniards as they came within Voschat, but the latter marching intrepidly forward in face of the aeroey shower stormed the works and, after an obstinate struggle, drove the enemy from their position. Cortés then advanced some way on the great causeway of Istapalapán, but he beheld the further extremity darkened by a numerous array of warriors, and as he did not care to engage in unnecessary hostilities, especially as his ammunition was nearly exhausted, he fell back and retreated to the borders. The following day the army continued its march, taking the road to Tacuba but a few miles distant. On the way it experienced much annoyance from the straggling parties of the enemy, who, furious at the sight of the booty which the invaders were burying away, made repeated attacks on their flanks and rear. Cortés retaliated as on the former expedition by one of their own stratagems, but with less success than before. During the retreating enemy too hotly, he fell with his cavalry into an ambuscade which they had prepared for him in their turn. He was not yet a match for their wily tactics. The Spanish Cavaliers were enveloped in a moment by their subtle foe and separated from the rest of the army. But, spurring on their good steeds and charging in a solid column together, they succeeded in breaking through the Indian array and in making their escape to the enemy's hands. They were the general's own servants who had followed him faithfully through the whole campaign and he was deeply affected by their loss, rendered the more distressing by the consideration of the dismal fate that awaited them. When the little band rejoined the army which had halted in some anxiety in their absence, under the walls of Tacuba, the soldiers were astonished at the dejected mean of their commander which too visibly betrayed his emotion. The squadron was still high in the heavens when they entered the ancient capital of the Tipanex. The first care of Cortes was to ascend the principal Teokali and survey the surrounding country. It was an admirable point of view commanding the capital which lay but little more than a league distant and its immediate environs. Cortes was accompanied by Alderete, the Treasurer, and some other Cavaliers who had lately joined his banner. The spectacle was still new to them and as they gazed on the stately city with its broad lake covered with boats and barges hurrying to and fro some laden with merchandise or fruits and vegetables for the markets of Tenocheechlan, others crowded with warriors, they could not withhold their admiration at the life and activity of the scene, declaring that nothing but the hand of Providence could have led their countrymen safe through the heart of this powerful empire. Tacuba was the point which Cortes had reached on his former expedition around the northern side of the valley. He had now therefore made the entire circuit of the Great Lake, had reconnoitred the several approaches to the capital and inspected with his own eyes the dispositions made on the opposite quarters for its defense. He had no occasion to prolong his stay into Tacuba, the vicinity of which to Mexico must soon bring on him its whole warlike population. Early on the following morning he resumed his march, taking the route pursued in the former expedition north of the small lakes. He met with less annoyance from the enemy than on the preceding days, a circumstance owing in some degree perhaps to the state of the weather, which was exceedingly tempestuous. The soldiers, with their garments heavy with moisture, plowed their way with difficulty through the Maori roads flooded by the torrents. On one occasion, as their military chronicler informs us, the officers neglected to go the rounds of the fortnight and the sentinels to Mount Gard, trusting to the violence of the storm for their protection. Yet the fate of Navarez might have taught them not to put their faith in the elements. At Acolmon, in the Acolon territory, they were met by Sandoval with the friendly casique of Tescuco and several Cavaliers, among whom were some recently arrived from the islands. They cordially greeted their countrymen and communicated the tidings that the canal needed and that the brigantines, rigged and equipped, were ready to be launched on the bosom of the lake. There seemed to be no reason, therefore, for longer postponing operations against Mexico. With this welcome intelligence, Cortes and his victorious legions made their entry for the last time into the Acolon capital, having consumed just three weeks in completing the circuit of the valley. End of Book 6, Chapter 3 Book 6, Chapter 4 of the History of the Conquest of Mexico. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org History of the Conquest of Mexico by William H. Prescott Book 6, Chapter 4 Conspiracy in the Army Brigantines Launched Muster of Forces Execution of Chico Tencatol At the very time when Cortes was occupied with reconnoitering the valley, preparatory to his siege of the capital, a busy faction in Castile was laboring to subvert his authority and defeat his plans of conquest altogether. The fame of his brilliant exploits had spread not only through the Isles, but to Spain and in many parts of Europe, where a general admiration was felt for the invincible energy of the man who with his single arm as it were could so long maintain a contest with the powerful Indian Empire. The absence of the Spanish monarch from his dominions and the troubles of the country can alone explain the supine indifference shown by the government to the prosecution of this great enterprise. To the same causes it may be ascribed that no action was had in regard to the suits of Velázquez and Narváez, backed as they were by so potent an advocate as Bishop Fonseca, president of the Council of the Indies. The reigns of government had fallen into the hands of Adrian of Utrecht, Charles's preceptor, and afterwards Pope, a man of learning and not without sagacity, but slow and timid in his policy and altogether incapable of that decisive action which suited the bold genius of his predecessor Cardinal Jimenez. In the spring of 1521, however, a number of ordinances passed by the Council of the Indies which threatened an important innovation in the affairs of New Spain. It was decreed that the royal audience of Hispaniola should abandon the proceedings already instituted against Narváez for his treatment of the Commissioner Ayon, that that unfortunate commander should be released from his confinement at Vera Cruz, and that an arbitrator should be sent to Mexico with authority to investigate the criminal justice to the Governor of Cuba. There were not wanting persons at court who looked with this satisfaction on these proceedings as an unworthy requital of the services of Cortez, and who thought the present moment at any rate not the most suitable for taking measures which might discourage the general and perhaps render him desperate. But the arrogant temper of the Bishop of Burgos overruled all objections, and the ordinances having been approved by the Regency were signed by that body, April 11, 1521. A person named Tapia, one of the functionaries of the audience of Santo Domingo, was selected as the new Commissioner to be dispatched to Vera Cruz. Fortunately circumstances occurred which postponed the execution of the design for the present, and permitted Cortez to go forward unmolested in his career of conquest. But while thus allowed to remain he was assailed by a danger nearer home which menaced not only his authority but his life. This was a conspiracy in the army of a more dark and dangerous character than any hitherto formed there. He was set on foot by a common soldier named Antonio Villafana, a native of Old Castile, of whom nothing is known but his share in this transaction. He was one of the troop of Narváez, that leaven of disaffection which had remained with the army, swelling with discontent on every light occasion, and ready at all times to rise into mutiny. They had voluntarily continued in the service after the secession of their comrades at Tlaxcala, but it was from the same mercenary hopes with which they had originally embarked in the expedition, and in these they were destined still to be disappointed. They had little of the true spirit of adventure which distinguished the old companions of Cortez, and they found the barren murals a victory but a sorry recompense for all their toils and sufferings. With these men were joined others who had causes of personal disgust with the general, and others again who looked with disgust on the result of the war. The gloomy fate of their countrymen who had fallen into the enemy's hands filled them with dismay. They felt themselves the victims of a chimerical spirit in their leader who, with such inadequate means, was urging to extremity so men formidable a foe. And they shrunk with something like apprehension from thus pursuing the enemy into his own haunts where he would gather tenfold energy from despair. These men would have willingly abandoned the enterprise and returned to Cuba, but how could they do it? Cortez had control over the whole route from the city to the sea coast, and not a vessel could leave its ports without his warrant. Even if he were put out of the way there were others, his principal officers ready to step into his place and avenge the death of their commander. It was necessary to embrace these also in the scheme of destruction, and it was proposed, therefore, together with Cortez to assassinate Sandoval, Olid, Alvarado, and two or three others most devoted to his interests. The conspirators would then raise the cry of liberty and doubted not that they should be joined by the greater part of the army or enough at least to enable them to work their own pleasure. They proposed to offer the command on Cortez's death to Francisco Verdugo, a brother-in-law of Velázquez. He was an honorable cavalier and not privy to their design, but they had little doubt that he would acquiesce in the command thus in a manner forced upon him, and this would secure them the protection of the governor of Cuba who, indeed, from his own hatred of Cortez would be disposed to look with a lenient eye on their proceedings. The conspirators even went so far as to appoint the subordinate officers and El Guasiel Mayor in place of Sandoval, a quartermaster general to succeed Olid and some others. The time fixed for the execution of the plot was soon after the return of Cortez from his expedition. A parcel, pretended to have come by a fresh arrival from Castile, was to be presented to him while at table, and when he was engaged in breaking open the letters, the conspirators were to fall on him and his officers and dispatch them with their poignards. Such was the iniquitous scheme devised for the destruction of Cortez and the expedition, but a conspiracy to be successful, especially when numbers are concerned, should allow but little time to elapse between its conception and its execution. On the day previous to that appointed for the perpetration of the deed, one of the party, feeling a natural impression of the crime, went to the general's quarters and solicited a private interview with him. He threw himself at the commander's feet and revealed all the particulars relating to the conspiracy, adding that in Via Fana's possession a paper would be found containing the names of his accomplices. Cortez, thunderstruck at the disclosure, lost not a moment in profiting by it. He sent for Alvarado, Sandoval, and the other officers marked out by the conspirator, and, after communicating the affair to them, went at once with them to Via Fana's quarters, attended by four Algo seals. They found him in conference with three or four friends, who were instantly taken from the apartment and placed in custody. Via Fana, confounded at the sudden apparition of his commander, had barely time to snatch a paper containing the signatures of the Confederates from his bosom in attempt to swallow it. But Cortez arrested his arm and seized the paper. As he glanced his eye rapidly over the fatal list, he was much moved at finding there the names of more than one who had some claim to consideration in the army. He tore the scroll in pieces and ordered Via Fana to be taken into custody. He was immediately tried by a military court hastily got together at which the general himself presided. There seems to have been no doubt of the man's guilt. He was condemned to death, and, allowing him time for confession and absolution, the sentence was executed by hanging him from the window of his own quarters. Those ignorant of the affair were astonished at the spectacle, and the remaining conspirators were filled with consternation when they saw that their plot was detected and anticipated a similar fate for themselves. But they were mistaken. Cortez pursued the matter no further. A little reflection convinced him that to do so would involve him disagreeable and even dangerous perplexities. And, however much the parties implicated in so foul a deed might deserve death, he could ill afford the loss even of the guilty with his present limited numbers. He resolved therefore to content himself with the punishment of the ringleader. He called his troops together and briefly explained to them the nature of the crime for which Via Fana had suffered. He had made no confession, he said, and the guilty secret perished with him. He then expressed his sorrow that any should have been found in their ranks capable of so base an act, and stated his own unconsciousness of having wronged any individual among them. But, if he had done so, he invited them frankly to declare it, as he was most anxious to afford them all the redress in his power. But there was no one of his audience whatever might be his grievances who cared to enter his complaint at such a moment. Least of all men and spiriters willing to do so for they were too happy at having as they fancied escaped detection to stand forward now in the ranks of the malcontents. The affair passed off therefore without further consequences. As was stated at the close of the last chapter, the Spaniards on their return to quarters found the construction of the brigantines completed, and that they were fully rigged, equipped, and ready for service. The canal also, after having 1000 men for nearly two months, was finished. It was a work of great labour, for it extended half a league in length, was 12 feet wide and as many deep. The sides were strengthened by palisades of wood or solid masonry. At intervals, dams and locks were constructed, and part of the opening was through the hard rock. By this avenue, the brigantines might now be safely introduced on the lake. Cortes was resolved that so auspicious an event should be celebrated with due solemnity. On the 28th of April, the troops were drawn up under arms, and the whole population of Tescucco assembled to witness the ceremony. Mass was performed, and every man in the army, together with the general confessed and received the sacrament. Prayers were offered up by Father Olmeido, and a benediction invoked on the little navy, the first worthy of the name ever launched on American waters. The signal was given by the firing when the vessels, dropping down the canal one after another, reached the lake in good order, and as they emerged on its ample bosom, with music sounding and the royal ensign of Castile proudly floating from their masts, a shout of admiration arose from the countless multitudes of spectators, which mingled with the roar of artillery and musketry from the vessels in the shore. It was a novel spectacle to the simple natives, and they gazed with wonder on the gallant ships, fluttering like seabirds on their snowy pinions, bounded lightly over the waters as if rejoicing in their element. It touched the stern hearts of the conquerors with a glow of rapture, and, as they felt that heaven had blessed their undertaking, they broke forth by general accord into the noble anthem of the Te Deum. But there was no one of that vast multitude for whom the sight had deeper interest than their commander, for he looked on it as a work in hands, and his bosom swelled with exaltation, as he felt he was now possessed of a power strong enough to command the lake and to shake the haughty towers of Tenochitlán. The general's next step was to muster his forces in the great square of the capital. He found they amounted to eighty-seven horse and eight hundred and eighteen foot, of which one hundred and eighteen were arco busiers and crossbowmen. He had three large field pieces of iron and fifteen lighter guns or falconets of brass. The heavier cannon had been transported from Bira Cruz to Tescuco a little while before by the faithful Tlascolans. He was well supplied with shot and balls with about ten hundred weight of powder and fifty thousand copper-headed arrows made after a pattern furnished by him to the natives. The number and appointments of the army much exceeded what they had been at any time since the flight from the late arrivals from the islands. Indeed, taking the fleet into the account, Cortez had never before been in so good a condition for carrying on his operations. Three hundred of the men were sent to man the vessels, thirteen or rather twelve in number, one of the smallest having been found on trial, too dull a sailor to be a service. Half the crews were required to navigate the ships. There was some difficulty in finding hands for this as the men were in appointment. Cortez selected those who came from Palos, Mogher and other maritime towns and that was standing their frequent claims of exemption as Hidalgos from this menial occupation. He pressed them into the service. Each vessel mounted a piece of heavy ordinance and was placed under an officer of respectability to whom Cortez gave a general code of instructions for the government of the little navy of which he proposed to take the ships. He had already sent to his Indian Confederates announcing his purpose of immediately laying siege to Mexico and called on them to furnish their promised levies within the space of ten days at furthest. The Tulascalans he ordered to join him at Tescucco, the others were to assemble at Chalco, a more convenient place of rendezvous for the operations in the southern quarter of the valley. The Tulascalans arrived within the time prescribed, led by the Chimicatl, the same dowdy warrior who had convoyed the brigantines to Tescucco. They came fifty thousand strong according to Cortez, making a brilliant show with their military binary and marching proudly forward under the great national banner emblazoned with a spread eagle the arms of the Republic. With as blithe and manly a step as if they were going to the battleground they defiled through the gates of the capital making its walls ring with the Tulascala. The observations which Cortez had made in his late tour of reconnaissance had determined him to begin the siege by distributing his forces into three separate camps, which he proposed to establish at the extremities of the principal causeways. By this arrangement the troops would be enabled to move in concert on the capital and be in the best position to intercept its supplies from the surrounding country. The first of them would be sending the fatal causeway of the Noche Treste. This was assigned to Pedro de Alvarado with a force consisting, according to Cortez's own statement, of 30 horse, 168 Spanish infantry and five and twenty thousand Tulascalans. Cristóbal de Olid had command of the second army of much the same magnitude, which was to take up its position at Cajahuacán, the city it will be remembered, overlooking the short time it was connected with that of Iztapalapan. Gonzalo de Sandoval had charge of the third division with equal strength with each of the two proceeding, but which was to draw its Indian levees from the forces assembled at Chalco. This officer was to march on Iztapalapan and complete the destruction of that city, begun by Cortez soon after his entrance into the valley. It was too formidable a post to remain in the rear of the army. The general was to escort the attack with his brigantines, after which the subsequent movements of Sandoval would be determined by circumstances. Having announced his intended dispositions to his officers, the Spanish commander called his troops together and made one of those brief and stirring harangues with which he was want on great occasions to kindle the hearts of the soldiery. I have taken the last step, he said. I have brought you to the goal for the days we'll place you before the gates of Mexico, the capital from which you were driven with so much ignominy. But we now go forward under the smiles of Providence. Does anyone doubt it? Let him but compare our present condition with that in which we found ourselves not twelve months since when, broken and dispirited, we sought shelter within the walls of Tlaskala. Nay, with that in which we were but a few months since, when we took up our time, our strength has been nearly doubled. We are fighting the battles of the faith, fighting for our honor, for riches, for revenge. I have brought you face to face with your foe. It is for you to do the rest. The address of the bold chief was answered by the thundering acclamations of his followers, who declared that every man would do his duty under such a leader, and they only asked to be led against the enemy. Cortez then caused the regulations for the army, published at Tlaskala, to be read again to the troops with the assurance that they should be enforced to the letter. It was arranged that the Indian forces should proceed the Spanish by a day's march, and should halt for their confederates on the borders of the Tuscucan territory. A circumstance occurred soon after their departure, which gave bad augury for the future. A quarrel had arisen in the camp at Tuscuco between a Spanish soldier and a Tlaskalan chief in which the fort. He was sent back to Tlaskala, and the matter was hushed up that it might not reach the ears of the general, who, it was known, would not pass over it lightly. Chico Tanato was a near relative of the injured party, and on the first day's halt he took the opportunity to leave the army with a number of his followers and set off for Tlaskala. Other causes were assigned for his desertion. It was certain that, from the first, he looked on the expedition with a little eye, and had predicted that no good would come of it. He came into it with reluctance, as indeed he detested the Spaniards in his heart. His partner in the command instantly sent information of the affair to the Spanish general still encamped at Tuscuco. Cortes, who saw at once the mischievous consequences of this defection at such a time, detached a party of Tlaskalan and Tuscucan Indians after the fugitive, with instructions to prevail on him, was unable to return to his duty. They overtook him on the road and remonstrated with him in his conduct contrasting it with that of his countrymen generally and of his own father in particular, the steady friend of the white men. So much the worse, replied the chieftain, if they had taken my counsel they would never have become the dupes of the perfidious strangers. Finding their remonstrances, received only with anger or contemptuous taunts, the emissaries returned accomplishing their object. Cortes did not hesitate on the course he was to pursue. Chico Tanatl, he said, has always been the enemy of the Spaniards, first in the field and since in the council chamber, openly or in secret still the same, their implacable enemy. There was no use in parlaying with the false-hearted Indian. He instantly dispatched a small body of horse with an aguacile to arrest the chief wherever he might even though it were in the streets of Tlescala and to bring him back to Tescucco. At the same time he sent information of Chico Tanatl's proceedings to the Tlescalan Senate, adding that desertion among the Spaniards was punished with death. The emissaries of Cortes punctually fulfilled his orders. They arrested the fugitive chief whether in Tlescala or in its neighborhood is uncertain and brought him a prisoner to Tescucco where a high gallows erected in the great center was prepared for his reception. He was instantly led to the place of execution. His sentence and the cause for which he suffered were publicly proclaimed and the unfortunate casique expiated his offense by the vile death of a male factor. His ample property consisting of lands, slaves and some gold was all confiscated to the Castilian crown. Thus perished Chico Tanatl in the flower of his age as dauntless a warrior as ever led an Indian army to battle. He was the first chief who successfully resisted the arms of the invaders and had the natives of Anahuac generally been animated with a spirit like his, Cortes would probably never have set foot in the capital of Montezuma. He was gifted with a clearer insight into the future than his countrymen for he saw that the European was an enemy far more to be dreaded than the Aztec. Yet when he consented to fight under the white men he had no right to desert it and he incurred the penalty prescribed by the code of savage as well as of civilized nations. It is said indeed that the Tlescalan senate aided in apprehending him having previously answered Cortes that his crime was punishable with death by their own laws. It was a bold act however thus to execute him in the midst of his people for he was a powerful chief heir to one of the four seniores of the Republic. Civil risk qualities made him popular especially with the younger part of his countrymen and his garments were torn into shreds at his death and distributed as sacred relics among them. Still no resistance was offered to the execution of the sentence and no commotion followed it. He was the only Tlescalan who ever swerved from his loyalty to the Spaniards. According to the plan of operations settled by Cortes Sandoval with his division was to take a southern direction while Averado and Olid would take the northern circuit of the lakes. These two Cavaliers after getting possession of Tacuba were to advance to Chapultepec and demolish the great aqueduct there which supplied Mexico with water. On the 10th of May they commenced their march but at a Coleman where they halted for the night a dispute arose between the soldiers of the two divisions respecting their quarters. From words they came to blows and a defiance was even exchanged between the leaders who entered into the angry feelings of their followers. Intelligence of this was soon communicated to Cortes who sent at once to the fiery chiefs imploring them by the regard for him and the common cause to lay aside their differences which must end in their own ruin and that of the expedition. His remonstrance prevailed at least so far as to establish a show of reconciliation between the parties but Olid was not a man to forget or easily to forgive and Alvarado, though frank and liberal, had an impatient temper much more easily excited than appeased. They were never afterwards friends. The Spaniards met with no opposition on their march. The principal towns were all abandoned by the inhabitants who had gone to strengthen the garrison of Mexico or taken refuge with their families among the mountains. Tacuba was in like manner deserted and the troops once more established themselves in their old quarters in the lordly city of the Tapanax. Their first undertaking was to cut off the pipes that conducted the water from the royal streams of Chapultepec to feed the numerous tanks and fountains which sparkled in the courtyards of the capital. The aqueduct, partly constructed of brickwork and partly of stone and mortar, was raised on a strong though narrow dyke which transported it across an arm of the lake and the whole work was one of the most monuments of Mexican civilization. The Indians, well aware of its importance, had stationed a large body of troops for its protection. A battle followed in which both sides suffered considerably but the Spaniards were victorious. A part of the aqueduct was demolished and during the siege no water found its way again to the capital through this channel. On the following day the combined forces descended on the fatal causeway to make themselves masters if possible of the nearest bridge. They found the dyke covered with a swarm of warriors as numerous as on the night of their disaster while the surface of the lake was dark with the multitude of canoes. The intrepid Christians strove to advance under a perfect hurricane of missiles from the water and the land but they made slow progress. Barricades thrown across the causeway embarrassed the cavalry and rendered it nearly useless. The sides of the Indian boats were fortified which shielded the crews from the archibuses and crossbows and when the warriors on the dyke were hard pushed by the pikemen they threw themselves fearlessly into the water as if it were their native element and reappearing along the sides of the dyke shot off their arrows and javelins with fatal execution. After a long and obstinate struggle the Christians were compelled to fall back on their own quarters with disgrace and including the allies with nearly as much damage as they could on the enemy. Ollid, disgusted with the result of the engagement, invaded against his companion as having involved them in it by his wanton temerity and drew off his forces the next morning to his own station at Kohawakan. The camps, separated by only two leagues, maintained an easy communication with each other. They found abundant employment in forging the neighboring country for provisions and in repelling the active sallies of the enemy on whom they were revenge by cutting off his supplies. But their own position was precarious and they looked with impatience for the arrival of the brigantines under Cortes. It was in the latter part of May that Ollid took up his quarters at Kohawakan and from that time maybe dated the commencement of the siege of Mexico. End of Book 6, Chapter 4 Book 6, Chapter 5 of the History of the Conquest of Mexico. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org History of the Conquest of Mexico by William H. Prescott Book 6, Chapter 5 Indian Plotilla defeated the causeways occupied desperate assaults, firing of the palaces, spirit of the besieged barracks for the troops. No sooner had Cortes received intelligence that his two officers had established themselves in their respective posts that he ordered Sandoval to march on Iztapalapan. The Cavaliers' route led him through a country for the most part friendly and at Chalco his little body of Spaniards was swelled by the formidable muster of Indian levies who awaited their his approach. After this junction he continued his march without opposition till he arrived before the hostile city under whose walls he found a large force drawn up to receive him. A battle followed and the natives, after maintaining their ground sturdily for some time were compelled to give way and to seek refuge either on the water or in that part of the town which hung over it. The remainder was speedily occupied by the Spaniards. Meanwhile Cortes had set sail with his flotilla intending to support his lieutenants' attack by water. On drawing near the southern shore of the lake he passed under the shadow of an insulated peak once named from him the Rock of the Marques. It was held by a body of Indians who saluted the fleet as it passed with showers of stones and arrows. Cortes resolving to punish their audacity and to clear the lake of his troublesome enemy instantly landed with 150 of his followers. He placed himself at their head scaled the steep ascent in the face of a driving storm of missiles and reaching the summit put the garrison to the sword. There was a number of women and children also gathered in the place whom he spared. On the top of the eminence was a blazing beacon serving to notify to the inhabitants of the capital when the Spanish fleet weighed anchor. Before Cortes had regained his brigantine the canoes and paraguas of the enemy had left the harbors of Mexico and were seen darkening the lake for many a rude. There were several hundred of them all crowded with warriors and advancing rapidly over the calm bosom of the waters. Cortes who regarded his fleet to use his own language as the key of the war felt the importance of striking a decisive blow in the first encounter with the enemy. It was with chagrin therefore that he found his sails rendered useless by the want of wind. He calmly waited the approach of the Indian squadron which however lay on their oars at something more than musket shot distance as if hesitating to encounter these leviathans of their waters. At this moment a light air from land rippled the surface of the lake. It gradually freshened into a breeze and Cortes taking advantage of the friendly suker which he may be excused under all the circumstances for regarding as especially sent him by heaven extended his line of battle and bore down under full press of canvas on the enemy. The latter no sooner encountered the bows of their formidable opponents than they were overturned and sent to the bottom by the shock or so much damaged that they speedily filled and sank. The water was covered with the wreck of broken canoes and with the bodies of men struggling for life in the waves and vainly imploring their companions to take them on board their overcrowded vessels. The Spanish fleet as it dashed through the mob of boats sent off its volleys to the right and left with a terrible effect completing the discomforture of the Aztecs. The latter made no attempt at resistance scarcely venturing a single flight of arrows but strove with all their strength to regain the port from which they had so lately issued. They were no match in the chase any more than in the fight for their terrible antagonist who born on the wings of the wind careered to and fro at his pleasure dealing death widely around him and making the shores ring with the thunders of his ordinance. A few only of the Indian flotilla men recovering the port and gliding up the canals found a shelter in the bosom of the city where the heavier burden of the brigantines made it impossible for them to follow. This victory, more complete than even the sanguine temper of Cortes had prognasticated, proved the superiority of the Spaniards and left them henceforth undisputed masters of the Aztec sea. It was nearly dusk when the squadron coasting along the great southern causeway anchored off the point of junction called Sholak where the branch from Kohawakan meets the principal dyke. The avenue widened at this point so as to afford room for two towers or turreted temples built of stone and surrounded by walls of the same material which presented altogether a position of some strength and, at the present moment, was garrisoned by a body of Aztecs. They were not numerous and Cortes, landing with his soldiers succeeded without much difficulty in dislodging the enemy and in getting possession of the works. It seems to have been originally the general's design to take up his own quarters with Olit at Kohawakan. But, if so, he now changed his purpose and wisely fixed on this spot as the best position for his encampment. It was but half a leak distant from the capital and, while it commanded its great southern avenue had a direct communication with the garrison at Kohawakan for which he might receive supplies from the surrounding country. Here, then, he determined to establish his headquarters. He at once caused his heavy iron cannon to be transferred from the brigantines to the causeway and sent orders to Olit to join him with half his force while Sandoval was instructed to abandon his present quarters in advance to Kohawakan whence he was to detach 50-picked men of his infantry to the camp of Cortes. Having made these arrangements the general busily occupied himself with strengthening the works at Sholok and putting them in the best posture of defense. The two principal avenues to Mexico those on the south and the west were now occupied by the Christians. There still remained a third the great dike of Tepahakak on the north, which, indeed, taking up the principal street which passed in a direct line through the heart of the city might be regarded as a continuation By this northern route a means of escape was still left open to the besieged and they availed themselves of it at present to maintain their communications with the country and to supply themselves with provisions. Alvarado, who observed this from his station at Takuba advised his commander of it and the latter instructed Sandoval to take up his position on the causeway. That officer, though suffering at the time from a severe wound received from a lance in one of the late skirmishes hastened to obey. And thus, by shutting up its only communication with the surrounding country completed the blockade of the capital. But Cortes was not content to wait patiently the effects of a dilatory blockade which might exhaust the patience of his allies and his own resources. He determined to support it by such active assaults on the city as should still further distress the besieged and hasten the hour of surrender. For this purpose he ordered a simultaneous attack by the two commanders at the other stations on the quarters nearest their encampments. On the day appointed his forces were under arms with the Don. Mass, as usual, was performed and the Indian Confederates as they listened with grave attention to the stately and imposing service regarded with undisguised admiration the devotional reverence shown by the Christians whom in their simplicity they looked upon as a little less than divinities themselves. The Spanish infantry marched in the van led on by Cortes attended by a number of Cavaliers dismounted like himself. They had not moved far upon the causeway when they were brought to a stand by one of the open breaches that had formerly been traversed by a bridge. On the further side a solid rampart of stone and lime had been erected and behind this a strong body of Aztecs were posted who discharged on the Spaniards as they advanced a thick volley of arrows. The latter vainly endeavored to dislodge them with their firearms and crossbows. They were too well secured behind their defenses. Cortes then ordered two of the brigantines which had kept along one on each side of the causeway in order to cooperate with the army to station themselves so as to inflate the position occupied by the enemy. Thus placed between two well directed fires the Indians were compelled to recede. The soldiers on board the vessels springing to land bounded like deer up the sides of the dike. They were soon followed by their countrymen under Cortes who, throwing themselves into the water swam the undefended chasm and joined in pursuit of the enemy. The Mexicans fell back however in something like order until they reached another opening in the dike like the former dismantled of its bridge and fortified in the same manner by a bulwark of stone behind which the retreating Aztecs retreating across the chasm and reinforced by fresh bodies of their countrymen again took shelter. They made good their post till, again assailed by the cannonade from the brigantines, they were compelled to give way. In this manner breach after breach was carried and at every fresh instance of success a shout went up from the crews of the vessels which, answered by the long files of the Spaniards and their Confederates on the causeway made the valley echo to its borders. Cortes had now reached the end of the Great Avenue where it entered the suburbs. There he halted to give time for the rear guard to come up with him. It was detained by the labor of filling up the breaches in such a manner as to make a practicable passage for the artillery and horse and to secure one for the rest of the army on its retreat. This important duty was entrusted to the allies who executed it by tearing down the ramparts on the margins and throwing them into the chasms and when this was not sufficient for the water was deeper on the southern causeway by dislodging the great stones and rubbish from the dyke itself which was broad enough to admit of it and adding them to the pile until it was raised above the level of the water. The street on which the Spaniards now entered was the Great Avenue that intersected the town from north to south and the same by which they had first visited the capital. It was broad and perfectly straight and in the distance dark masses of warriors might be seen gathering to the support of their countrymen who were prepared to dispute the further progress of the Spaniards. The sides were lined with buildings the terraced roofs of which were also crowned with combatants who, as the army advanced poured down a pitiless storm of missiles on their heads which glanced harmless indeed from the coat of mail but too often found their way through the more common escowpole of the soldier already gaping with many a ghastly rent. Cortez, to rid himself of this annoyance for the future, ordered his Indian pioneers to level the principal buildings as they advanced in which work of demolition no less than the repair of the breeches they proved of inestimable service. The Spaniards, meanwhile, were steadily but slowly advancing as the enemy recoiled before the rolling fire of musketry though turning at intervals to discharge their javelins and arrows against their pursuers. In this way they kept along the great street until their course was interrupted by a wide ditch or canal once traversed by a bridge of which only a few planks now remained. These were broken by the Indians the moment they had crossed and a formidable array of spears were instantly seen bristling over the summit of a solid rampart of stone which protected the opposite side of the canal. Cortez was no longer supported by his brigantines which the shallowness of the canals prevented from penetrating into the suburbs. He brought forward his archibuscures who, protected by the targets of their comrades, opened a fire on the enemy but the balls fell harmless from the bulwarks of stone while the assailants presented but too easy a mark to their opponents. The general then caused the heavy guns to be brought up and opened a lively cannonade which soon cleared a breach in the works through which the musketeers and crossbowmen poured in their volleys thick as hail. The Indians now gave way in disorder after having held their antagonists at bay for two hours. The latter, jumping into the shallow water scaled the opposite bank without further resistance and drove the enemy along the street towards the square where the sacred pyramid reared its colossal bulk high over the other edifices of the city. It was a spot too familiar to the Spaniards. At one side stood the palace of Echacallato, the quarters, the scene to many of them of too much suffering. Opposite was a pile of low irregular buildings once the residents of the unfortunate Montezuma while the third side of the square was flanked by the Quata Pontli or Wall of Serpents which encompassed the great Teocali with its little city of holy edifices. The Spaniards halted at the entrance of the square as if oppressed and for a moment overpowered by the bitter recollections but their intrepid leader impatient at their hesitation loudly called on them to advance before the Aztecs had time to rally and grasping his target in one hand and waving his sword high above his head with the other he cried his war cry of Santiago and led them at once against the enemy. The Mexicans intimidated by the presence of their detested foe who in spite of all their efforts had again forced his way into the heart made no further resistance but retreated or rather fled for refuge into the sacred enclosure of the Teocali where the numerous buildings scattered over its ample area afforded many good points of defense. A few priests clad in their usual wild and bloodstained vestments were to be seen lingering on the terraces which wound round the stately sides of the pyramid chanting hymns in honor of their god and encouraging the warriors below for his altars. The Spaniards poured through the open gates into the area and a small party rushed up the winding corridors to its summit. No vestige now remained there of the cross or of any other symbol of the pure faith to which it had been dedicated. A new effigy of the Aztec war god had taken the place of the one demolished by the Christians and raised its fantastic and hideous form in the same niche which had been occupied by its predecessor. The Spaniards soon tore away its golden mask and the rich jewels with which it was bedisoned and hurling the struggling priests down the sides of the pyramid made the best of their way to their comrades in the area. It was full time. The Aztecs indignant at the sacrilegious outrage perpetrated before their eyes and gathering courage from the inspiration of the place under the very presence of their deities raised a yell of horror and vindictive fury as throwing themselves into something like order they sprang by a common impulse on the Spaniards. The latter who had halted near the entrance though taken by surprise made an effort to maintain their position at the gateway. But in vain for the headlong rush of the assailants drove them at once into the square where they were attacked by other bodies of Indians pouring in from the neighboring streets. Broken and losing their presence of mind the troops made no attempt to rally but crossing the square and abandoning the canon planted there to the enemy they hurried down the great street of Iztapalapan. Here they were soon mingled with the allies who choked up the way and who, catching the panic of the Spaniards, increased the confusion while the eyes of the fugitives blinded by the missiles that rained on them from the Azoteas were scarcely capable of distinguishing friend from foe. In vain Cortes endeavored to stay the torrent and to restore order. His voice was drowned in the wild uproar as he was swept away like driftwood by the fury of the current. All seemed to be lost when suddenly sounds were heard in an adjoining street like the distant tramp of horses galloping rapidly over the pavement. They drew nearer and nearer and a body of cavalry soon emerged on the great square. Though but a handful in number they plunged boldly into the thick of the enemy. We have often had occasion to notice the soldiers dread entertained by the Indians of the horse and its rider. And although the long residents of the cavalry in the capital had familiarized the natives in some measure with their presence, so long a time had now elapsed since they had beheld them that all their former mysterious terrors revived in full force. And when thus suddenly assailed in flank by the formidable apparition they were seized with a panic and fell into confusion. It soon spread to the leading files and Cortes, perceiving his advantage, turned with the rapidity of lightning and, at this time supported by his followers, succeeded in driving the enemy with some loss back into the enclosure. It was now the hour of vespers and as night must soon overtake them he made no further attempt to pursue his advantage. Ordering the trumpets therefore to sound a retreat he drew off his forces in good order taking with him the artillery which had been abandoned in the square. The allies first went off the ground followed by the Spanish infantry while the rear was protected by the horse thus reversing the order of march on their entrance. The Aztecs hung on the enclosing files and though driven back by frequent charges of the cavalry still followed in the distance shooting off their ineffectual missiles and filling the air with wild cries and howling like a herd of ravenous wolves disappointed it was late before the army reached its quarters at Sholok. Cortez had been well supported by Alvarado and Sandoval in this assault on the city though neither of these commanders had penetrated the suburbs deterred perhaps by the difficulties of the passage which in Alvarado's case were greater than those presented to Cortez from the greater number of breaches with which the dyke in his quarter was intersected. Something was owing too to the want of the brigantines until Cortez had the deficiency by detaching half of his little navy to the support of his officers. Without their cooperation however the general himself could not have advanced so far nor perhaps have succeeded at all in setting foot within the city. The success of this assault spread consternation not only among the Mexicans but their vassals as they saw that the formidable preparations for defense were to avail little against the white man who had so soon in spite of them forced his way into the very heart of the capital. Several of the neighboring places in consequence now showed a willingness to shake off their allegiance and claimed the protection of the Spaniards. Among these were the territory of Xochimilco so roughly treated by the invaders and some tribes of Otomies a rude but valiant people who dwelt on the western confines of the valley. Their support was valuable not so much from the additional reinforcement which was brought as from the greater security it gave to the army whose outposts were perpetually menaced by these warlike barbarians. Thus strengthened Cortes prepared to make another attack upon the capital and that before it should have time to recover from the former. Orders were given to his lieutenants on the other causeways to march at the same time and cooperate with him as before in the assault. It was conducted in precisely the same manner as on the previous entry the infantry and the allies and cavalry following. But to the great dismay of the Spaniards they found two thirds of the breaches restored to their former state and the stones and other materials with which they had been stopped removed by the indefatigable enemy. They were again obliged to bring up the cannon the Brigantines ran alongside and the enemy was dislodged and driven from post to post in the same manner as on the preceding attack. In short the whole work was to be done over again. It was not until an hour afternoon that the army had won a footing in the suburbs. Here their progress was not so difficult as before for the buildings from the terraces of which they had experienced the most annoyance had been swept away. Still it was only step by step that they forced a passage in face of the Mexican militia who disputed their advance with the same spirit as before. Cortes who would willingly have spared the inhabitants if he could have brought them saw them with regret as he says thus desperately bent on a war of extermination. He conceived that there would be no way more likely to affect their minds than by destroying at once some of the principal edifices which they were accustomed to venerate as the pride and ornament of the city. Marching into the great square he selected as the first to be destroyed the old palace of Echa Yacatl his former barracks. The ample range of low buildings it is true constructed of stone but the interior as well as artworks, its turrets and roofs were of wood. The Spaniards whose associations with the pile were of so gloomy a character sprang to the work of destruction with a satisfaction like that which the French mob may have felt in the demolition of the Bastille. Torches and firebrands were thrown about in all directions. The lower parts of the building were speedily on fire which running along the inflammable hangings and woodwork of the interior rapidly spread to the second floor. There the element took freer range and before it was visible from without sent up from every aperture and crevice a dense column of vapor that hung like a funeral pole over the city. This was dissipated by a bright sheet of flame which enveloped all the upper regions of the Bastille till the supporters giving way the wide range of turreted chambers fell amidst clouds of dust and ashes with an appalling crash that for a moment stayed the Spaniards in the work of devastation. The Aztecs gazed with inexpressible horror on this destruction of the venerable abode of their monarchs and of the monuments of their luxury and splendor. Their rage was exasperated almost to madness as they beheld their hated foes, the Tlaskolans busy in the work of desolation and aided by the Tescucans their own allies and not any of their kinsmen. They vented their fury in bitter execrations especially on the young Prince Itzlil Sochitl who marching side by side with Cortes took his full share in the dangers of the day. The warriors from the housetops poured the most appropriate epithets on him as he passed denouncing him as a false-hearted traitor, false to his country and his blood, reproaches not altogether unmerited as his kinsmen who chronicles his deadly confesses. He gave little heed to their taunts however, holding on his way with a dogged resolution of one true to the cause in which he was embarked and, when he entered the great square, he grappled with the leader of the Aztec forces, wrenched a lance from his grasp one by the latter from the Christians and dealt him a blow with his mace, or maqua wietl which brought him lifeless to the ground. The Spanish commander sounded a retreat sending on the Indian allies who blocked up the way before him. The Mexicans maddened by their losses in wild transports of fury hung close on his rear and though driven back by the cavalry still returned throwing themselves desperately under the horses, striving to tear the riders from their saddles and content to throw away their own lives for one blow at their enemy. Fortunately the greater part of their militia was on the opposite quarters of the city but thus crippled they pushed the Spaniards under Cortez so vigorously that few reached the camp that night without bearing on their bodies some token of the desperate conflict. On the following day and indeed on several days following the general repeated his assaults with as little care for repose as if he and his med had been made of iron. On one occasion he advanced some way down the street of Tacuba in three of the bridges desirous if possible to open a communication with Alvarado posted on the contiguous causeway but the Spaniards in that quarter had not penetrated beyond the suburbs still impeded by the severe character of the ground and wanting it may be somewhat of that fiery impetuosity which the soldier feels who fights under the eye of his chief. In each of these assaults the breaches were found more or less restored to their original state of pertinacious Mexicans and the materials which had been deposited in them with so much labor again removed. It may seem strange that Cortez did not take measures to guard against the repetition of an act which caused so much delay and embarrassment to his operations. He notices this in his letter to the emperor in which he says that to do so would have required either that he should have established his quarters in the city itself which would have surrounded him with enemies who were stationed with the country or that he should have posted a sufficient guard of Spaniards for the natives were out of the question to support the breaches by night a duty altogether beyond the strength of men engaged in so arduous a service through the day. Yet this was the course adopted by Alvarado who stationed at night a guard of forty soldiers for the defense of the opening nearest to the enemy. This was relieved by a similar detachment Third, the two former still lying on their post so that on an alarm a body of one hundred and twenty soldiers was ready on the spot to repel an attack. Sometimes indeed the whole division took up their bibouac in the neighborhood of the breach resting on their arms and ready for instant action. But a life of such incessant toil and vigilance was almost too severe even for the stubborn constitutions of the Spaniards. Through the long night exclaimed us who served in Alvarado's division we kept our dreary watch neither wind nor wet nor cold availing anything. There we stood smarting as we were from the wounds we had received in the fight of the preceding day. It was the rainy season which continues in that country from July to September and the surface of the causeways flooded by the storms and broken up by the constant movement of such large bodies of men was converted into a marsh or rather quagmire which added inconceivably to the distresses of the army. The troops under Cortes were scarcely in a better situation but few of them could find shelter in the rude towers that garnished the works of Sholok. The greater part were compelled to bibouac in the open air exposed to all the inclemency of the weather. Every man unless his wounds prevented it was required by the camp regulations to sleep on his arms and they were often roused from their hasty slumbers by the night call to battle. For Guatamozine, contrary to the usual practice of his countrymen, frequently selected the hours of darkness to aim a blow at the enemy. In short, exclaims the veteran soldier above quoted, so on intermitting were our engagements by day and by night during the three months in which we lay before the capital that to recount them all would exhaust the reader's patience and make him to fancy he was pursuing the incredible feats of a night and by night. The Aztec emperor conducted his operations on a systematic plan which showed some approach to military science. He not unfrequently made simultaneous attacks on the three several divisions of the Spaniards established on the causeways and on the garrisons at their extremities. To accomplish this he enforced the service not merely of his own militia of the capital, but of the great towns in the neighborhood who all moved in concert at the beacon fire or of the huge drum struck by the priests on the summit of the temple. One of these general attacks it was observed whether from accident or design took place on the eve of St. John the Baptist the anniversary of the day on which the Spaniards made their second entry into the Mexican capital. Notwithstanding the severe drain on his forces by this incessant warfare, the young monarch contrived to relieve them in some degrees by different attachments and took the place of one another. This was apparent from the different uniforms in military badges of the Indian battalions who successively came and disappeared from the field. At night a strict guard was maintained in the Aztec quarters, a thing not common with the nations of the plateau. The outposts of the hostile armies were stationed within sight of each other. That of the Mexicans was usually placed in the neighborhood of some wide breach and its position was marked by a large gap. The hours for relieving guard were intimated by the shrill Aztec whistle while bodies of men might be seen moving behind the flame which threw a still reddier glow over the cinnamon colored skins of the warriors. While thus active on land, Guatamozin was not idle on the water. He was too wise indeed to cope with the Spanish navy again in open battle, but he resorted to stratagem so much more congenial to Indian warfare. He placed a large number of canoes in ambuscade along the tall reeds which fringed the southern shores of the lake and caused piles at the same time to be driven into the neighboring shallows. Several paraguas or boats of a larger size then issued forth and rode near the spot where the Spanish brigantines were moored. Two of the smallest vessels, supposing the Indian barks were conveying provisions to the besieged, instantly stood after them as had been foreseen. The Aztec boats sheltered to the reedy thicket where their companions lay in ambush. The Spaniards, following, were soon entangled among the palisades under the water. They were instantly surrounded by a whole swarm of Indian canoes, most of the men were wounded, several including the two commanders, slain, and one of the brigantines fell, a useless prize into the hands of the victors. Among the slain was Pedro Barba, captain of the crossbowmen, a gallant officer who had highly pushed himself in the conquest. This disaster occasioned much mortification to Cortes. It was a salutary lesson that stood him in good stead during the remainder of the war. It may appear extraordinary that Guatemala should have been able to provide for the maintenance of the crowded population now gathered in the metropolis, especially as the avenues were all in possession of the besieging army. But independently of the preparations made with this both some sustenance daily furnished by the victims for sacrifice, supplies were constantly obtained from the surrounding country across the lake. This was so conducted for a time as in a great measure to escape observation, and even when the brigantines were commanded to cruise day and night and sweep the waters of the boats employed in this service, many still contrived under cover of the darkness to elude the vigilance of the cruisers and brought their cargos into court. It was not the great towns in the neighborhood cast off their allegiance that the supply began to fall from the failure of its sources. The defection was more frequent as the inhabitants became convinced that the government incompetent to its own defense must be still more so to theirs, and the Aztec metropolis saw its greatest vassals fall off one after another as the tree over which decay is stealing parts with its leaves in the first blast of the tempest. The cities, which now claimed the Spanish general's protection, supplied the camp with an incredible number of warriors, a number which, if we admit Cortez's own estimate, one hundred and fifty thousand, could have only served to embarrass his operations in the long extended causeways. These levies were distributed among the three garrisons at the terminations of the causeways, and many found active employment in foraging the country for provisions, and yet more in carrying on hostilities the places still unfriendly to the Spaniards. Cortez found further occupation for them in the construction of barracks for his troops, who suffered greatly from exposure to the incessant rains of the season, which were observed to fall more heavily by night than by day. Quantities of stone and timber were obtained from the buildings that had been demolished in the city. They were transported in the brigantines to the causeway, and from these materials a row of huts or barracks was constructed extending on either side of the works of Sholok. By this arrangement, ample accommodations were furnished for the Spanish troops and their Indian attendants, amounting an all to about two thousand. The great body of the allies, with a small detachment of horse and infantry, were quartered at the neighboring post of Kohahuakan, which served to protect the rear of the encampment and to maintain its communications with the country. A similar disposition of forces took place in the other divisions of the army under Alvarado and Sandoval, though the accommodations provided for the shelter of the troops on their causeways were not so substantial as those for the division of Cortez. The Spanish camp was supplied with provisions from the friendly towns in the neighborhood, and especially from Tescucco. They consisted of fish, the fruits of the country, particularly a sort of fig born by the tuna, captus obtunia, and a species of cherry or something much resembling it, which grew abundant at this season. But their principal food was the tortillas, cakes of Indian meal, still common in Mexico, for which big houses were established under the care of the natives in the garrison towns commanding the causeways. The Aries, as appears too probable, reinforced their frugal fare with an occasional banquet of human flesh, for which the battlefield unhappily afforded them too much facility, and which, however shocking to the feelings of Cortez, he did not consider himself in a situation at that moment to prevent. Thus the tempest, which had been so long mustering, broke at length in all its fury on the Aztec capital. Its unhappy inmates beheld the hostile legions encompassing them about with their glittering files stretching as far as the eye could reach. They saw themselves deserted by their allies and vassals in their utmost need, the fierce stranger penetrating into their secret places, violating their temples, plundering their palaces, wasting the fair city by day, firing at suburbs by night, and entrenching himself in solid edifices under their walls, as if determined never to withdraw his foot while one stone remained upon another. All this they saw, yet their spirits were unbroken, and though famine and pestilence were beginning to creep over them, they still showed the same determined front to their enemies. Cortez, who would gladly have spared the town and its inhabitants, beheld this resolution with astonishment. He intimated more than once by means of the prisoners whom he released, his willingness to grant them fair terms of capitulation. Day after day he fully expected his proffers would be accepted, but day after day he was disappointed. He had yet to learn how tenacious was the memory of the Aztecs, and that whatever might be the horrors of their present situation and their fears for the future, they were all forgotten in their hatred of the white man. End of book 6 chapter 5