Chapter XV The Spaniards Lose Heavily in Battle—The Prisoners are Sacrificed—Some of Cortes’ Allies Desert but Soon Return—The City of Mexico Captured—Guatemozin Attempts Flight but is Taken
Cortes, realizing that the battle could not be continued in this wise, decided to end the long and wearisome struggle with one bold venture. He arranged for a general attack at a designated time (this was about the end of May, 1521) and ordered each of his commanders to advance into the city with his division, in spite of all obstacles, and post himself there. He himself took command of the force which was to attack the causeway of Cojohuacan, determined to let nothing stop him from reaching the city. The eventful day came. The leaders placed themselves at the head of their troops and the tragedy began. It was a thrilling spectacle, the irresistible advance of the Spaniards and the stubborn resistance of the Mexicans. Nothing could withstand the onset of Cortes. He carried one defence after the other in desperate charges, cut down or shot down everything before him, and pursued the flying enemy into the city.
Guatemozin, who had been informed of all that was transpiring, rejoiced at the imprudence of the enemy as he realized the advantage it placed in his hands. He immediately ordered several strong detachments to march by different roundabout ways to the abandoned causeways, enlarge the openings as much as possible, and hold their positions there. The rest of his warriors, who were engaged in a hand to hand struggle with the enemy, gradually fell back in order to lure the excited Spaniards farther into the city. His cunning scheme was successful. Assuming that his orders had been executed, Cortes without hesitation drove the enemy from one street to another and at last reached the very place where Guatemozin was awaiting him with the flower of his warriors.
Suddenly, at a signal from the Emperor, the hollow boom of the war god’s sacred drum was heard from the adjacent temple—a sound which always filled the Mexican with indescribable rage and utter contempt of death. In an instant the Spaniards, to their astonishment, found themselves attacked on all sides so furiously that with all their courage and skill they were unable to withstand it. They began falling back slowly in close ranks and maintaining the defensive, but as the numbers of the enemy increased every moment and their attack grew more furious, they gradually began to seek safety in flight. At last their ranks broke. All, Spaniards and Tlaxcalans, foot-soldiers and horsemen, fled in disorder to the nearest causeway where their terror was still further increased by finding the enemy in possession.