Chapter I: Preface

As the third greatest of the world’s republics, wherein society and civilization are displayed under somewhat abnormal aspects, under aspects at least widely different from those present in other than Spanish-speaking communities, configurations and climates, races and race intermixtures, civil and religious polities, and the whole range of mental and physical environment being in so many respects exceptional and individual, Mexico presents a study one of the most interesting and profitable of any among the nations of to-day.

A brilliant though unjust and merciless conquest was followed by the enforcement of Spain’s institutions upon the survivors, who were themselves so far advanced in arts, industries, and intellectual culture as to render such metamorphosis most disastrous. After the awful success of Cortés, Spain neither exterminated the natives, like the United States, nor left them in their aboriginal independence, like the fur-magnates of British America. Aiming at the utmost kindness, the Spanish government fastened on body and soul the iron fetters of tyranny and superstition; aiming at liberty and humanity, slavery and wrong were permitted. With grants of land, grants of men and women were made. The church fought valiantly against the evils of the encomienda system, and against the cruelty and injustice imposed by the colonists upon the natives. There was here little of that wholesome indifference to the welfare of her colonies later manifested by England with regard to her settlements in America. Spain’s American possessions belonged not to the Spanish people but to the Spanish sovereign; the lands and the people were the king’s, to be held or disposed of as he should direct. Hence among the people were encouraged dividing castes; commerce was placed under the severest restrictions, and in many ways it became clear that provinces were held and governed almost exclusively for the benefit of the crown. And so they remained, Europeans and Americans intermingling their loves and hates for three hundred years, which was indeed Mexico’s dark age, two civilizations being well nigh crushed therein. Light at last breaking in upon the people, the three centuries of viceregal rule were brought to a close by their taking a stand for independence, such as their Anglo-American neighbor had so recently achieved. And now during these latter days of swift progression Mexico is happily aroused from her lethargy, and is taking her proper place among the enlightened nations of the earth, to the heart-felt joy of all.

* * * * *

The first of the five great periods of Mexican history, embracing the aboriginal annals of Anáhuac, has been exhaustively treated in the fifth volume of my _Native Races_. The second is that of the conquest by Cortés; the third covers nearly three centuries of viceregal rule in New Spain; the fourth comprises the struggle for independence and the founding of the republic; and the fifth extends thence to the present time, including as salient features a series of internal revolutions, the war with the United States, the imperial experiment of Maximilian, and the peaceful development of national industries and power in recent years. It is my purpose to present on a national scale, and in a space symmetrically proportioned to the importance of each, the record of the four successive periods.

The conquest of Mexico, filling the present and part of another volume, has been treated by many writers, and in a masterly manner. In the three periods of Mexican history following the conquest there is no comprehensive work extant in English; nor is there any such work in Spanish that if translated would prove entirely satisfactory to English readers. Of the few Spanish and Mexican writers whose researches have extended over the whole field, or large portions of it, none have been conspicuously successful in freeing themselves from the quicksands of race prejudice, of religious feeling, of patriotic impulse, of political partisanship; none have had a satisfactory command of existing authorities; none in the matter of space have made a symmetrical division of the periods, or have appreciated the relative importance of different topics as they appear to any but Spanish eyes. Yet there has been no lack among these writers of careful investigation or brilliant diction. Indeed there is hardly an epoch that has not been ably treated from various partisan standpoints.

* * * * *

The list of authorities prefixed to this volume shows approximately my resources for writing a HISTORY OF MEXICO. I may add that no part of my collection is more satisfactorily complete than that pertaining to Mexico. I have all the standard histories and printed chronicles of the earliest times, together with all the works of writers who have extended their investigations to the events and developments of later years. On the shelves of my Library are found the various _Colecciones de Documentos_, filled with precious historical papers from the Spanish and Mexican archives, all that were consulted in manuscript by Robertson, Prescott, and other able writers, with thousands equally important that were unknown to them. My store of manuscript material is rich both in originals and copies, including the treasures secured during a long experience by such collectors as José María Andrade and José Fernando Ramirez; a copy of the famous _Archivo General de Mexico_, in thirty-two volumes; the autograph originals of Cárlos María Bustamante’s historical writings, in about fifty volumes, containing much not found in his printed works; the original records of the earliest Mexican councils of the church, with many ecclesiastical and missionary chronicles not extant in print; and finally a large amount of copied material on special topics drawn from different archives expressly for my work.

Documents printed by the Mexican government, including the regular _memorias_ and other reports of different departments and officials, constitute a most valuable source of information. Partisan writings and political pamphlets are a noticeable feature of Mexican historical literature, indispensable to the historian who would study both sides of every question. Prominent Mexicans have formed collections of such works, a dozen of which I have united in one, making two hundred and eighteen volumes of _Papeles Varios_, some five thousand pamphlets, besides nearly as many more collected by my own efforts. The newspapers of a country cannot be disregarded, and my collection is not deficient in this class of data, being particularly rich in official periodicals.

* * * * *

The conquest of Mexico, which begins this history, has the peculiar attractions of forming the grandest episode in early American annals from a military point of view, and in opening to the world the richest, most populous, and most civilized country on the northern continent, and of gradually incorporating it in the sisterhood of nations as the foremost representative of Latin-American states. On the other hand, an episode which presents but a continuation of the bloody path which marked the advance of the conquerors in America, and which involved the destruction not only of thousands of unoffending peoples but of a most fair and hopeful culture, is not in its results the most pleasing of pictures. But neither in this pit of Acheron nor in that garden of Hesperides may we expect to discover the full significance of omnipotent intention. From the perpetual snow-cap springs the imperceptibly moving glacier. A grain of sand gives no conception of the earth, nor a drop of water of the sea, nor the soft breathing of an infant of a hurricane; yet worlds are made of atoms, and seas of drops of water, and storms of angry air-breaths. Though modern Mexico can boast a century more of history than the northern nations of America, as compared with the illimitable future her past is but a point of time.

CONTENTS OF THIS VOLUME.

CHAPTER I.

VOYAGE OF HERNANDEZ DE CÓRDOBA TO YUCATAN.
1516-1517.

PAGE.

A Glance at the State of European Discovery and Government
in America at the Opening of this Volume—Diego Velazquez
in Cuba—Character of the Man—A Band of Adventurers Arrives
from Darien—The Governor Counsels them to Embark in
Slave-catching—Under Hernandez de Córdoba they Sail Westward
and Discover Yucatan—And are Filled with Astonishment
at the Large Towns and Stone Towers they See there—They
Fight the Natives at Cape Catoche—Skirt the Peninsula to
Champoton—Sanguinary Battle—Return to Cuba—Death of Córdoba 1

CHAPTER II.

JUAN DE GRIJALVA EXPLORES THE WESTERN SIDE OF THE MEXICAN
GULF.
1518.

Velazquez Plans a New Expedition—Gives the Command to
his Nephew, Juan de Grijalva—Who Embarks at Santiago and
Strikes the Continent at Cozumel Island—Coasts Southward to
Ascension Bay—Then Turns and Doubles Cape Catoche—Naming
of New Spain—Fight at Champoton—Arrival at Laguna de
Términos—Alaminos, the Pilot, is Satisfied that Yucatan is
an Island—They Coast Westward and Discover the Rivers San
Pedro y San Pablo and Tabasco—Notable Interview at this
Place between the Europeans and the Americans—The Culhua
Country—They Pass La Rambla, Tonalá, the Rio Goazacoalco,
the Mountain of San Martin, the Rivers of Alvarado and
Banderas, and Come to the Islands of Sacrificios and San
Juan de Ulua 15

CHAPTER III.

RETURN OF GRIJALVA. A NEW EXPEDITION ORGANIZED.
1518.

Refusal of Grijalva to Settle—Alvarado Sent back to
Cuba—Grijalva Continues his Discovery—After Reaching
the Province of Pánuco he Turns back—Touching at the
Rio Goazacoalco, Tonalá, the Laguna de Términos, and
Champoton, the Expedition Returns to Cuba—Grijalva Traduced
and Discharged—A New Expedition Planned—Velazquez Sends
to Santo Domingo and Spain—Characters of Velazquez and
Grijalva Contrasted—Candidates for the Captaincy of the New
Expedition—The Alcalde of Santiago Successful—His Standing
at that Time 28

CHAPTER IV.

THE HERO OF THE CONQUEST.

Birthplace of Hernan Cortés—His Coming Compensatory for the
Devil-sent Luther—Parentage—Hernan a Sickly Child—Saint Peter
his Patron—He is sent to Salamanca—Returns Home—Thinks of
Córdoba and Italy—And of Ovando and the Indies—Chooses the
Latter—Narrow Escape during a Love Intrigue—Ovando Sails
without Him—Cortés Goes to Valencia—Is there Ill—Returns
Home—Finally Sails for the Indies—His Reception at Santo
Domingo—He Fights Indians under Velazquez, and is Given an
Encomienda—Goes to Cuba with Velazquez—Makes Love to Catalina
Suarez—But Declines to Marry—Velazquez Insists—Cortés
Rebels—Seizures, Imprisonments, Escapes, and Reconciliation 41

CHAPTER V.

SAILING OF THE EXPEDITION.
1518-1519.

The Quality of Leader Desired—Instructions Issued to
Hernan Cortés, Commander-in-chief—The Character of
Cortés Undergoes a Change—Cost of the Expedition—By whom
Borne—Places Established for Enlistment—The Banner—Cortés
Puts on the Great Man—More of his Character—The Scene at
Santiago Harbor—The Governor’s Jester—Dark Suspicions of
Velazquez—Departure from Santiago—Cortés at Trinidad—Fresh
Recruits—Verdugo Receives Orders to Depose Cortés—The
Fleet Proceeds to San Cristóbal, or the Habana—Review
at Guaguanico—Speech of Cortés—Organization into
Companies—Departure from Cuba 53

CHAPTER VI.

THE VOYAGE.
1519.

Something of the Captains of
Cortés—Alvarado—Montejo—Ávila—Olid—Sandoval—Leon—Ordaz—Morla—The
Passage—The Fleet Struck by a Squall—Arrival at
Cozumel—Alvarado Censured—Search for the Captive
Christians—Arrival of Aguilar—His Chaste Adventures—They Come
to Tabasco River—Battles there—Conquest of the Natives—Peace
Made—Twenty Female Slaves among the Presents—The Fleet
Proceeds along the Shore—Puertocarrero’s Witticism—Arrival
at San Juan de Ulua 73

CHAPTER VII.

WHAT MONTEZUMA THOUGHT OF IT.

Home of Mexican Civilization—The Border Land of
Savagism—Configuration of the Country—The Nahuas and
the Mayas—Toltecs, Chichimecs, and Aztecs—The Valley of
Mexico—Civil Polity of the Aztecs—King Ahuitzotl—Montezuma
Made Emperor—Character of the Man—His Career—The First
Appearing of the Spaniards not Unknown to Montezuma—The
Quetzalcoatl Myth—Departure of the Fair God—Signs and Omens
concerning his Return—The Coming of the Spaniards Mistaken
for the Fulfilment of the Prophecy—The Door Opened to the
Invader 94

CHAPTER VIII.

THE COMBATANTS SALUTE.
April-May, 1519.

The Embassy from the Shore—The New Interpreter—Marina—Her
Appearance and Quality—Her Romantic History—She Cleaves
to the Spaniards and to Cortés—And Becomes One of the
most Important Characters of the Conquest—The Spaniards
Land and Form an Encampment—The Governor Comes with
Presents—The Spaniards Astonish the Natives—Who Report
all to Montezuma—Cortés Sends the Monarch Presents—Council
Called in Mexico—Montezuma Determines not to Receive the
Strangers—Reciprocates in Presents a Hundredfold—Cortés
Persists—Montezuma Declines more Firmly—Olmedo Attempts
Conversion—Teuhtlile, Offended, Withdraws his People from
the Camp of the Spaniards 116

CHAPTER IX.

THE MIGHTY PROJECT IS CONCEIVED.
May, 1519.

Serious Dilemma of Cortés—Authority without Law—Montejo
Sent Northward—Recommends another Anchorage—Dissensions at
Vera Cruz—Prompt and Shrewd Action of Cortés—A Municipality
Organized—Cortés Resigns—And is Chosen Leader by the
Municipality—Velazquez’ Captains Intimate Rebellion—Cortés
promptly Arrests Several of Them—Then he Conciliates them
All—Important Embassy from Cempoala—The Veil Lifted—The
March to Cempoala—What was Done there—Quiahuiztlan—The
Coming of the Tribute Gatherers—How They were Treated—Grand
Alliance 131

CHAPTER X.

MULTIPLICATION OF PLOTS.
June-July, 1519.

Cortés, Diplomate and General—The Municipality of Villa
Rica Located—Excitement throughout Anáhuac—Montezuma
Demoralized—Arrival of the Released Collectors at the
Mexican Capital—The Order for Troops Countermanded—Montezuma
Sends an Embassy to Cortés—Chicomacatl Asks Aid against a
Mexican Garrison—A Piece of Pleasantry—The Velazquez Men
Refuse to Accompany the Expedition—Opportunity Offered them
to Return to Cuba, which they Decline through Shame—The
Totonacs Rebuked—The Cempoala Brides—Destruction of the
Idols—Arrival at Villa Rica of Salcedo—Efforts of Velazquez
with the Emperor—Cortés Sends Messengers to Spain—Velazquez
Orders them Pursued—The Letters of Cortés—Audiencia of the
Emperor at Tordesillas 152

CHAPTER XI.

THE SINKING OF THE FLEET.
July-August, 1519.

Diego Velazquez once More—His Supporters in the Camp of
Cortés—They Attempt Escape—Are Discovered—The Leaders
are Seized and Executed—Cortés’ Ride to Cempoala, and
what Came of it—He Determines on the Destruction of
the Fleet—Preliminary Stratagems—Several of the Ships
Pronounced Unseaworthy—The Matter before the Soldiers—The
Fleet Sunk—Indignation of the Velazquez Faction—One Vessel
Remaining—It is Offered to any Wishing to Desert—It is
finally Sunk—Francisco de Garay’s Pretensions—Seizure of
Some of his Men 174

CHAPTER XII.

MARCH TOWARD MEXICO.
August-September, 1519.

Enthusiasm of the Army—The Force—The Totonacs Advise the
Tlascalan Route—Arrival at Jalapa—A Look Backward—The Anáhuac
Plateau—Meeting with Olintetl—Arrival in the Country of the
Tlascaltecs—The Senate Convenes and Receives the Envoys
of Cortés—An Encounter—A More Serious Battle—Xicotencatl
Resolves to Try the Prowess of the Invaders, and is Defeated
191

CHAPTER XIII.

ENTRY INTO TLASCALA.
September, 1519.

Native Chiefs Sent as Envoys to the Tlascalan
Capital—Their Favorable Reception—Xicotencatl Plans
Resistance to Cortés—Sends out Spies—Cortés Sends them back
Mutilated—The Spaniards Attack and Defeat Xicotencatl—Night
Encounters—General Dissatisfaction and a Desire to
Return to Villa Rica—Envoys Arrive from Montezuma—Cortés
Receives Xicotencatl and the Tlascalan Lords—Peace
Concluded—Tlascala—Festivities and Rejoicings—Mass
Celebrated—Cortés Inclined to Extreme Religious Zeal—Brides
Presented to the Spaniards—Appropriate Ceremonies—Preparing
to Leave Tlascala for Cholula—Communications with the
Cholultecs 211

CHAPTER XIV.

SUBJUGATION OF CHOLULA.
October, 1519.

Departure from Tlascala—Description of Cholula—The
Welcome—Army Quarters in the City—Intimations of a
Conspiracy between the Mexicans and Cholultecs—Cortés Asks
for Provisions and Warriors—He Holds a Council—Preparations
for an Attack—The Lords Enter the Court with the Required
Supplies—Cortés Reprimands them in an Address—The
Slaughter Begins—Destruction of the City—Butchery and
Pillage—Amnesty finally Proclaimed—Xicotencatl Returns
to Tlascala—Reconciliation of the Cholultecs and
Tlascaltecs—Dedication of a Temple to the Virgin—Reflections
on the Massacre of Cholula 235

CHAPTER XV.

FROM CHOLULA TO IZTAPALAPAN.
October-November, 1519.

Montezuma Consults the Gods—He again Begs the Strangers not
to Come to him—Popocatepetl and Iztaccihuatl—News from Villa
Rica—Death of Escalante—Return of the Cempoalan Allies—Again
en route for Mexico—Reception at Huexotzinco—First View
of the Mexican Valley—Exultations and Misgivings—Resting
at Quauhtechcatl—The Counterfeit Montezuma—Munificent
Presents—The Emperor Attempts to Annihilate the Army by
Means of Sorcerers—Through Quauhtechcatl, Amaquemecan,
and Tlalmanalco—A Brilliant Procession Heralds the
Coming of Cacama, King of Tezcuco—At Cuitlahuac—Met by
Ixtlilxochitl—The Hospitality of Iztapalapan 252

CHAPTER XVI.

MEETING WITH MONTEZUMA.
November, 1519.

Something of the City—The Spaniards Start from
Iztapalapan—Reach the Great Causeway—They are Met by many
Nobles—And Presently by Montezuma—Entry into Mexico—They
are Quartered in the Axayacatl Palace—Interchange of Visits 275

CHAPTER XVII.

CAPTURE OF THE EMPEROR.
November, 1519.

Cortés Inspects the City—Visits the Temple with
Montezuma—Discovery of Buried Treasure—Pretended Evidences
of Treachery—Cortés Plans a Dark Deed—Preparations for
the Seizure of Montezuma—With a Few Men Cortés Enters the
Audience-chamber of the King—Persuasive Discourse—With
Gentle Force Montezuma is Induced to Enter the Lion’s Den 294

CHAPTER XVIII.

DOUBLY REFINED DEALINGS.
1519-1520.

Hollow Homage to the Captive King—Montezuma has his Wives and
Nobles—He Rules his Kingdom through the Spaniards—The Playful
Page—Liberality of the Monarch—The Sacred Treasures—Cortés
Resents the Insults of the Guard—Diversions—Quauhpopoca,
his Son and Officers, Burned Alive—Plantations Formed—Villa
Rica Affairs—Vessels Built—Pleasure Excursions 309

CHAPTER XIX.

POLITICS AND RELIGION.
1520.

Growing Discontent among the Mexicans—Cacama’s
Conspiracy—He Openly Defies both Montezuma and Cortés—The
Council of Tepetzinco—Seizure of Cacama—The Tezcucan
Ruler Deposed—Cuicuitzcatl Elevated—Montezuma and his
People Swear Fealty to the Spanish King—Gathering in the
Tribute—Division of Spoils—The Spaniards Quarrel over their
Gold—Uncontrollable Religious Zeal—Taking of the Temple—Wrath
of the Mexicans 328

CHAPTER XX.

THE CUBAN GOVERNOR IN PURSUIT.
1519-1520.

The Mexicans Threaten Revolt—The Clergy in Arms—They
Denounce the Conduct of Montezuma—The Emperor Declares
he can no longer Restrain his People—Tidings of
Velazquez’ Fleet—Sailing from Cuba of an Expedition under
Narvaez—Arrival in Mexico—Conflict with Cortés—Interchange
of Threats and Courtesies—Attempted Union of Forces—Narvaez
Remains Loyal to Velazquez—Desertion of Some of his Men to
Cortés 353

CHAPTER XXI.

THE COUP DE MAÎTRE OF CORTÉS.
May, 1520.

Dismal Prospects—Empire to Hold, Invasion to Repel—The Army
Divides—Alvarado Guards Montezuma, while Cortés Looks after
Narvaez—The March Seaward—The Rendezvous—The Chinantecs
and their Pikes—Cortés Sows Alluring Words in the Camp of
the Enemy—Proposals of Peace—Defiance—Night Attack—Cortés
Captures Narvaez and his Army 374

CHAPTER XXII.

ALVARADO’S MERCILESS MASSACRE.
May, 1520.

After the Battle—Victory Made Secure—Conduct of the
Conquered—A General Amnesty—Disposition of the Forces—Affairs
at the Capital—Insurrection Threatened—The Spaniards Hold a
Council—Alvarado’s Resolve—The Great Day of the Feast—The
Spaniards Proceed to the Temple—The Grand Display there
Witnessed—The Attack of the Spaniards—Horrors upon Horrors 399

CHAPTER XXIII.

UPRISING OF THE AZTECS.
May-June, 1520.

Character of the Aztecs—Spanish Quarters—The City in
Arms—Growing Hatred toward the Invaders—Perilous Position
of Alvarado—Montezuma Called to Interfere—Failing
Provisions—Miraculous Water—Cortés to the Rescue—Rendezvous
at Tlascala—The City and its People—The Army Joins
Alvarado—Desperate Encounters 419

CHAPTER XXIV.

FIGHT UPON THE TEMPLE SUMMIT.
June, 1520.

The Natives Continue the Assault—Their Fierce Bravery—The
Spaniards Build Turrets—Still the Mexicans Prove too Strong
for Them—Montezuma Called to Intercede—He is Insulted and
Stoned by his Subjects—Cortés Attempts Egress by the Tlacopan
Causeway—Failure of Escobar to Take the Pyramid—Cortés
Gains the Slippery Height—The Gladiatorial Combat There 436

CHAPTER XXV.

DEATH OF MONTEZUMA.
June, 1520.

A Living Death—The Old Imperial Party and the New Power—Aztec
Defiance—Perilous Position of the Spaniards—Disappointment
to Cortés—Another Sally—The Dying Monarch—He has No Desire
to Live—His Rejection of a New Faith—He will None of the
Heaven of the Spaniards—Commends his Children to Cortés—The
Character of Montezuma and of his Reign 449

CHAPTER XXVI.

LA NOCHE TRISTE.
June 30, 1520.

The Captive-King Drama Carried too Far—Better had the
Spaniards Taken Montezuma’s Advice, and have Departed while
Opportunity Offered—Diplomatic Value of a Dead Body—Necessity
for an Immediate Evacuation of the City—Departure from the
Fort—Midnight Silence—The City Roused by a Woman’s Cry—The
Fugitives Fiercely Attacked on All Sides—More Horrors 463

CHAPTER XXVII.

RETREAT TO TLASCALA.
July, 1520.

Fatal Mistake of the Mexicans—A Brief Respite Allowed the
Spaniards—The Remnant of the Army at Tlacopan—They Set out
for Tlascala—An ever increasing Force at their Heels—Rest
at the Tepzolac Temple—Cortés Reviews his Disasters—The
March Continued amidst Great Tribulation—Encounter of the
Grand Army—Important Battle and Remarkable Victory—Arrival
at Tlascala—The Friendly Reception Accorded them There 482

CHAPTER XXVIII.

INVALUABLE FRIENDSHIP.
July-September, 1520.

Divers Disasters to the Spaniards—Mexico Makes Overtures
to Tlascala—A Council Held—Tlascala Remains True to the
Spaniards—Disaffection in the Spanish Army—Cortés again
Wins the Soldiers to his Views—Renewal of Active Operations
against the Aztecs—Success of the Spanish Arms—Large
Reinforcements of Native Allies—One Aztec Stronghold after
another Succumbs 509

CHAPTER XXIX.

KING-MAKING AND CONVERTING.
October-December, 1520.

Conquest in Detail—Barba Caught—Other Arrivals and
Reinforcements—The Small-pox Comes to the Assistance of the
Spaniards—Letters to the Emperor—Establishing of Segura de
la Frontera—Certain of the Disaffected Withdraw from the
Army and Return to Cuba—Division of Spoils—Head-quarters
Established at Tlascala 536

CHAPTER XXX.

CONSTRUCTION OF THE FLEET.
December, 1520-February, 1521.

The Objective Point—Vessels Needed—Martin Lopez Sent to
Tlascala for Timber—Thirteen Brigantines Ordered—Cortés
at Tlascala—Drill and Discipline—Address of the
General—Parade of the Tlascaltecs—March to Tezcuco—New Ruler
Appointed—Sacking of Iztapalapan—The Chalcans—Arrival at
Tezcuco of the Brigantine Brigade 561

CHAPTER XXXI.

PRELIMINARY CAMPAIGNS.
March-May, 1521.

Plan for the Investment of Mexico—Reconnoitring Tour round
the Lake—Cortés in Command—Alvarado and Olid Accompany—They
Proceed Northward from Tezcuco—Capture of Cities and
Strongholds—Xaltocan, Quauhtitlan, Tenayocan, Azcapuzalco,
Tlacopan, and back to Tezcuco—Chalco Disturbed—Peace
Proposals Sent to Mexico—Further Reconnoissance of the
Lake Region—Many Battles and Victories—Quauhnahuac
Captured—Burning of Xochimilco—Second Return to
Tezcuco—Conspiracy 582

CHAPTER XXXII.

INVESTMENT OF MEXICO.
May-June, 1521.

Phases of Heroism—The Brigantines upon the Lake—Division
of Forces between Alvarado, Sandoval, and Olid—Desertion,
Capture, and Execution of Xicotencatl—Departure of the
Troops from Tezcuco—Naval Battle—Possession Taken of the
Causeways—At One Point Cortés Unexpectedly Gains Entrance
to the City—But is Driven Out 613

CHAPTER XXXIII.

CONTINUATION OF THE SIEGE.
June-July, 1521.

Something about Quauhtemotzin—Infamous Pretensions of
European Civilization and Christianity—Prompt Action of the
Mexican Emperor—Repetitions of the Entry Assault—Submission
of the Surrounding Nations—Dire Condition of the
Mexicans—Spanish Defeat and Disaffection—Resolution to Raze
the City 636