losing paragraphs only are here
extracted. The narrative which Cortez gives sometimes differs, in
unimportant particulars, from that recorded by other historians of
the campaign, who were eyewitnesses of the scenes which they
described.

"As soon as it was day, I caused our whole force to be in
readiness, and the heavy guns to be brought out. The day
before, I had ordered Pedro de Alvarado to wait for me in
the square of the market-place, and not to attack the enemy
until I arrived. Being all assembled, and the brigantines
drawn up ready for action on the right of the houses
situated on the water, where the enemy were stationed, I
directed that when they heard the discharge of a musket, the
land force should enter the small part of the city that
remained to be taken, and drive the enemy toward the water,
where the brigantines lay. I enjoined much upon them to look
for Guatemozin, and endeavor to take him alive, as in that
case the war would cease. I then ascended a terrace, and,
before the combat began, addressed some of the nobles whom I
knew, asking them for what reason their sovereign refused to
come to me when they were reduced to such extremities,
adding that there was no good cause why they should all
perish, and that they should go and call him, and have no
fears.

"Two of the principal nobles then went to call the emperor.
After a short time they returned, accompanied by one of the
most considerable of their personages, Ciquacoacin, a
captain and governor over them all, by whose counsels the
whole affairs of the war were conducted. I received him with
great kindness, that he might feel perfectly secure and free
from apprehensions. At last he said that 'the emperor would
by no means come into my presence, preferring rather to die;
that his determination grieved him much, but that I must do
whatever I desired.' When I saw that this was his settled
purpose, I told the noble messenger to return to his
friends, and prepare for the renewal of the war, which I was
resolved to continue until their destruction was complete.
So he departed.

"More than five hours had been spent in these conferences,
during which time many of the inhabitants were crowded
together upon piles of the dead; some were on the water, and
others were seen swi