~ aviii CONSENTS. CHAPTER V. INDIAN FLOTILLA DEFEATED—OCCUPATION OP THE CAUSEWAYS—DESPERATE ASSAULTS —FIRING OF THE PALACE8—SPIRIT OF THE BESIEGED—BARRACKS FOR THE TROOPS. t Paps Uttdoval Birches on Iztapalapan—Cortes takes Command of the Fleet—Indian Flotilla defeated—Cortes occupies Xoloc—Sandoval advances to Cojohuacan—Skirmishes on the Causeway—Blockade completed—Simultaneous Assaults on Mexico— Ramparts raised by the Aztecs—Brigantines enfilade the Causeway—Spaniards enter the City—Allies demolish the Buildings—Fierce Battles in the City— Spaniards reach the Square—Storm the Pyramid—Hurl the Priests headlong— The Aztecs rally—Spaniards give way-Cavalry to the Rescue—Retreat to their Quarters—Ixtlilxocjutl in the Camp—A second Assault—Spaniards penetrate the City—Fire the Palace of Axayacati—Royal Aviary in Flames—Rage of the Mexicans—Their Desperation—Sufferings of the Spaniards—Operations of Guate- xuozin—His Vigilance—Ambuscade amongst the Reeds—Resources of the Indian Emperor—Accession of Allies to the Spaniard*—Barracks for the Troops—Hard Fare of the Besiegers—Spirit of the Aztecs 3®7 CHAP'l ER VI. WERAL ASSAULT ON THE CITY—DEFEAT OF THE SPANIARDS—THEIR DISASTROUS OOE- D1TION—SACRIFICE OF THE CAPTIVES—DEFECTION OF THE ALLIES—CONSTANCY OF THE TROOPS. Views of toe Spaniards—Council of War—General Assault on the City—Cortes rebukes Alvarado —The Enemy give Way—Their Cunning Stratagem—Horn of Guatemoziu sounds—Aztecs turn upon their Foe—Terrible Rout of the Spaniards—Imminent danger of Cortes—Self-devotion of his Followers—Sharp Struggle on the Causeway —His Division retreats—Sandoval and Alvarado—Their Troops driven from the City—Sandoval visits the General—His Interriew with him—Great Drum beat in the Temple—Sacrifice of the Captives—Sensations of the Spaniards—Rejoicings of the Aztecs—Prophecy of the Priests—Defection of the Allies—Gloomy Condition of the Spaniards—Their Constancy—Heroism of their Women . . . .37# t CHAPTER VII. TS70CES8 OF THE SPANIARDS—FRUITLESS OFFERS TO GUATEMOZIN—BUILDINGS RAZED TO THE GROUND—TERRIBLE FAMINE—THE TROOPS GAIN THE MARKET-PLACE—BATTERING ENGINE. Allies return to the Camp—Accession of Confederates—Plan of tlje Campaign—The Breaches filled—Famine in the City—Fruitless Offers to Guatemozin—Council of the Aztecs—Result of their Deliberations—Buildings razed to the Ground—Single Combats—Guatemozin’s Palace in Flames—Sufferings of the Besieged—Neglect of their Dead—Their unconquerable Spirit—Conflagration of the Teocalli—Success of Alvarado—Spaniards in the Market-place—Cortes Surveys the City—Its Deso lation—Battering Engine—Its Failure Ml CHAPTER VIII. DREADFUL SUFFERINGS OF THE BESIEGED—SPIRIT OF GUATEMOZIN—MURDEROUS ASSAULT8 —CAPTURE OF GUATEMOZIN—EVACUATION OF THE CITY—TERMINATION OF THE SI BOB —REFLECTIONS. Dreadful Famine in the City—Cannibalism—The Corpses fill the Streets—Pestilence sweeps off Multitudes—Alarming Prodigies—Spirit of Guatemozin—Cortes requ ests an Interview with him—Guatemozin consents—He avoids a Parley—Murderous Assault—Appalling Scene of Carnage—Preparations for the Final Attack—Cortes urges an Interview—The Signal given—Aztecs attempt to Escape—Capture of Guatemozin—Cessation of Hostilities—Person of Guatemozin—Brought before Cortes—His Wife, Montezuma’s Daughter—Furious Thunderstorm—Mexicans abandon their City—Number of those who Perished—Amount of the Spoil—Cortes dismisses his Allies—Rejoicings of the Spaniards—Solemn Thanksgiving—Reflec tions—Aztec Institutions — Their Moral Influence — Cruelty ascribed to the Spaniards—The Conquest as a Military Achievement—Notice of the Historian Bolls—His Life and Writings—Sahagun’s Twelfth Book . . , . 997
