don the attempt.

The tidings soon spread from man to man, and no sooner was their
dreadful import comprehended, than a cry of despair arose, which for a
moment drowned all the noise of conflict. All means of retreat were cut
off. Scarcely hope was left. The only hope was in such desperate
exertions as each could make for himself. Order and subordination were
at an end. Intense danger produced intense selfishness. Each thought
only of his own life. Pressing forward, he trampled down the weak and
the wounded, heedless whether it were friend or foe. The leading files,
urged on by the rear, were crowded on the brink of the gulf. Sandoval,
Ordaz, and the other cavaliers dashed into the water. Some succeeded in
swimming their horses across. Others failed, and some, who reached the
opposite bank, being overturned in the ascent, rolled headlong with
their steeds into the lake. The infantry followed pell-mell, heaped
promiscuously on one another, or struck down by the war clubs of the
Aztecs; while many an unfortunate victim was dragged half-stunned on
board their canoes, to be reserved for a protracted, but more dreadful
death.

[Illustration: BATTLE ON THE CAUSEWAY]

The carnage raged fearfully along the length of the causeway. Its
shadowy bulk presented a mark of sufficient distinctness for the enemy's
missiles, which often prostrated their own countrymen in the blind fury
of the tempest. Those nearest the dike, running their canoes alongside,
with a force that shattered them to pieces, leaped on the land, and
grappled with the Christians, until both came rolling down the side of
the causeway together. But the Aztec fell among his friends, while his
antagonist was borne away in triumph to the sacrifice. The struggle was
long and deadly. The Mexicans were recognized by their white cotton
tunics, which showed faint through the darkness. Above the combatants
rose a wild and discordant clamor, in which horrid shouts of vengeance
were mingled with groans of agony, with invocations of the saints and
the Blessed Virgin, and with the screams of women; for there were
several women, both natives and Spaniards, who had accompanied the
Christian camp. Among these, one named Maria de Estrada is particularly
noticed for the courage she displayed, battling with broadsword and
target like the staunchest of the warriors.

The opening in the causeway, meanwhile, was filled up with the wreck of
matter which had been forced into it, ammunit