Within two leagues of
their point of destination, they were encountered by a strong Aztec
force, drawn up to dispute their progress. Cortes instantly gave
them battle. The barbarians showed their usual courage; but, after
some hard fighting, were compelled to give way before the steady
valour of the Spanish infantry, backed by the desperate fury of the
Tlascalans, whom the sight of an Aztec seemed to inflame almost to
madness. The enemy retreated in disorder, closely followed by the
Spaniards. When they had arrived within half a league of
Iztapalapan, they observed a number of canoes filled with Indians, who
appeared to be labouring on the mole which hemmed in the waters of the
salt lake. Swept along in the tide of pursuit, they gave little heed
to it, but, following up the chase, entered pell-mell with the
fugitives into the city.
The houses stood some of them on dry ground, some on piles in
the water. The former were deserted by the inhabitants, most of whom
had escaped in canoes across the lake, leaving, in their haste,
their effects behind them. The Tlascalans poured at once into the
vacant dwellings and loaded themselves with booty; while the enemy,
making the best of their way through this part of the town, sought
shelter in the buildings erected over the water, or among the reeds
which sprung from its shallow bottom. In the houses were many of the
citizens also, who still lingered with their wives and children,
unable to find the means of transporting themselves from the scene
of danger.
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