pyre.[1] Suddenly midst the work of destruction Cortés observed startling signs of increasing waters, and soon after a Tezcucan brought word that the dike shielding the town on the west had been cut. In their desperation the inhabitants had invoked the flood, whose mercy could not be more pitiless than the invaders, while it might assist the work of revenge.[2]
The opening was widening every moment. No time was to be lost. The recall was sounded, but with the people so scattered it took some time to gather them. Staggering under the weight of spoil they fell into line, their march being dimly lighted by the flames behind them. The flood increased so much that few of them could retain their burdens, and near the opening the water came with such force as to make the passage difficult. Several of the allies were swept away. It was nine o'clock before the last of the troops gained the high land beyond the dike. "A delay of three hours longer, and none of us would have escaped," writes Cortés. Failing their desperate sacrifice to catch the invaders in the flooded houses, there to be imprisoned all night by the rushing waters, the enemy were at hand in canoes with early dawn, showering missiles and sallying against the flanks of the invaders. The Spaniards could only reply with sword and lance, for the powder was wet, and since nothing more could be done under the circumstances, they continued the retreat to Tezcuco. A number of allies fell, and even the soldiers, who had suffered no casualties in the capture of Iztapalapan, now lost one out of their ranks.[3]
Notwithstanding the loss of booty and the humiliating retreat, the expedition had succeeded in its
- ↑ So estimated by Cortés and others. Herrera reduces it to 5000.
- ↑ Cortés states that he saw men cutting the dike as he entered the town, but did not consider the significance until the water rose and recalled it to him. Cartas, 174.
- ↑ So says Cortés, while Bernal Diaz assumes that two men and one horse were lost, he himself receiving so severe a wound in the throat as to become an invalid for some time. Hist. Verdad., 121. Solis refers to the affair as a glorious victory.
