t to tender their allegiance, amongst others Otumba
and Chalco, which was a place of great importance. Cortes also managed
to induce the tribes, who though friendly to him were hostile to one
another, to forget their feuds and combine against Mexico, and to this
wise policy he owed much of his future success.

News now came from Tlascala that the ships were ready, and Sandoval was
despatched with a considerable guard to bring them to Tezcuco. On his
way he was to stop at Zoltepec, where the massacre of the Spaniards had
taken place, to find out and punish all who had had a hand in the
matter; but when they got there the inhabitants had fled. In the
deserted temples they had the horror of finding many traces of the fate
of their comrades; for beside their arms and clothing, and the hides of
their horses, the heads of several soldiers were found suspended as
trophies of victory; while traced in charcoal upon the wall in one
building were the words, in the Spanish language, 'In this place the
unfortunate Juan Juste, with many others of his company, was
imprisoned.' It was fortunate that the inhabitants had fled, for they
would have met with but scant mercy from the Spaniards, who were full of
indignation at the thought of the horrible doom which had overtaken
their companions. Sandoval now resumed his march to Tlascala, but before
he could reach it, the convoy appeared transporting the ships through
the mountain passes. Retaining twenty thousand of the warriors as a
guard, the Spanish captain dismissed the rest, and after four laborious
days Cortes and his garrison had the joy of welcoming them safe within
the walls of Tezcuco. It was not long before the general once more
sallied forth to reconnoitre the capital, and by the way to chastise
certain places which had sent him hostile messages. After an exciting
struggle Xaltocan and three other towns were taken, and a considerable
quantity of gold and food fell into the hands of the victors. Marching
on, the general found himself before Tlacopan, through whose streets he
had hurried in consternation at the end of the night of horror. It was
his intention to occupy the town, which he did after a sharp fight, just
before nightfall, and the next morning, seeing the enemy in battle array
on the open ground before the city, he marched out against them and
routed them utterly. The Aztecs fled into the town, but were driven
through its streets at the point of the lance, and compelled