In the meantime a danger impended over the head of Cortes which threatened a tragic end to his undertaking and his life. The soldiers of Narvaez had willingly joined Cortes, but they did so with the expectation that in a short time and without much danger they would secure untold treasures. The destruction of their hopes and the prospect of all the dangers they must encounter in an attack upon Mexico created great dissatisfaction with Cortes and bitter regret that they had decided to follow him. Villafanga, a common soldier, but a smart, venturesome fellow, who was still loyal to Velasquez, took advantage of his comrades’ discontent to hatch a plot which contemplated nothing less than the murder of the general and his leading officers, the choice of a new leader, and return to Cuba. The plan was as follows: While Cortes and his leading officers were at table a large packet of letters from Vera Cruz should be brought in. The conspirators, under pretence of desiring to hear from their country, would crowd about the general while he was opening the packet, and suddenly slay him as well as all the others who had been selected as victims. All was now ready for the accomplishment of their black purpose. The following day was selected and the conspirators, of whom there were a large number, had made their plans so secretly that neither Cortes nor his friends had the slightest suspicion of them. At the last moment, however, a fellow conspirator, who had been one of Cortes’ men from the start, was suddenly seized with remorse. His conscience stung him so fiercely that at last he ran to Cortes’ quarters and made a clean breast of the whole matter.
Cortes was astonished but quickly decided what to do. In company with some of his officers he went at once to Villafanga’s quarters. His unexpected appearance at such a time and place so surprised the would-be assassin that he could neither deny his guilt nor think of a defence. He was instantly seized. Cortes snatched a paper from him, which he was attempting to conceal in his bosom, and, concluding that it related to the conspiracy, stepped aside a minute to examine it. It contained a list of the conspirators, which filled him with surprise. But he wisely concealed it and appeared as if he were not aware that any one else was implicated. He reserved punishment for the principal offender, and as his confession made any further investigation unnecessary, he was hanged the same night in front of the house where he had been arrested.
On the next morning Cortes summoned his entire force and informed them of Villafanga’s treachery and the penalty which had been inflicted, but added that, notwithstanding all his efforts, he had not discovered any of his accomplices, as Villafanga had been persistently silent even under torture. He assured them that as far as he was concerned he was pleased with this secrecy for it would have given him great pain to have delivered any more of his companions into the hands of justice. He closed his address by appealing to them to tell him in what way his operations had been a disappointment or how he had incurred the indignation of his comrades, so that he might correct his mistakes then and there. The hearts of the guilty ones were relieved by these words. They breathed freely again and in their joy at being undiscovered resolved at every opportunity to display to their leader still greater and more steadfast loyalty.
Cortes knew, however, that idleness may ruin the best of men. He bestirred himself, therefore, to provide new occupation for these turbulent ones so that they might have no opportunity for indulging evil fancies. His good luck attended him again. He was informed that the building material for thirteen vessels was ready to be brought from the Tlaxcalan forests to Tezcuco. As the transporting had to be made by Indian carriers and a strong guard was needed to protect them from the Mexicans, the repentant conspirators were selected and the watchful, brave, and true Sandoval was placed in command of them. The journey was one of the most difficult they had ever undertaken. Eight thousand tamanes, loaded with beams, planks, masts, ropes, sails, and iron-work, went in the middle. A force of fifteen thousand Tlaxcalan warriors escorted them in the advance, rear, and on both flanks, among whom the Spanish soldiers were distributed to keep them in order and accustom them to regular marching. The entire line was more than a mile long. Sandoval placed himself at the head of the force and assigned the command of the leading column to Chichimekatl, a young Tlaxcalan leader, for the proud and fierce Xikotenkatl was no more. He could not endure the thought of submission to the foreigners and incited a revolt. But his purpose failed, his own people arrested him, and his own father, a second Brutus, pronounced the death penalty and turned him over to the Spanish general, that the penalty might be inflicted. But Cortes, reluctant to consent to the death of the young, fiery patriot, pardoned him, set him at liberty, and took him with him on the march to Mexico. But even this magnanimous treatment did not move his proud heart. He improved every opportunity to denounce the plans of the Spaniards with republican outspokenness, and to prejudice his people against them. His companions informed the Tlaxcalan High Council of his conduct, which in turn notified Cortes that he was striving to raise a revolt in the army and that by the law of their land he deserved the death penalty. It was now incumbent upon Cortes to deal with him severely for if he returned to Tlaxcala he would not be mercifully treated. Cortes, however, once more told the obstinate young man that if he came to him and performed his duties he should suffer no injustice. But the Tlaxcalan would not consent, and when Cortes sent the guard to bring him by force he resisted and defended himself until at last he fell dead from many wounds. Such was the tragic end of a man who under other circumstances might have been, perhaps, a Hannibal or a Cæsar.
The expedition had a march of fifteen miles before it, and the way led mostly through a rough and mountainous region. Large bands of Mexican soldiers frequently appeared but when they saw that the Spaniards were always ready for attack, they withdrew. At last Sandoval, after a march of extreme difficulty, had the good fortune to arrive safely at Tezcuco, where he was received with open arms by Cortes. While they were engaged in constructing the vessels, another fortunate event occurred. Some time previously Cortes had sent some of his officers to Hispaniola to bring him reinforcements if possible. He had long been anxious for their return, and had long been disappointed, but at last the glad news came that four vessels with large reinforcements had arrived at Vera Cruz from Hispaniola. They brought two hundred soldiers, eighty horses, two cannon, and a great quantity of powder and ammunition. The building of the vessels was now pushed forward with the utmost zeal. Although the Mexicans from time to time attempted to hinder the work and to burn them on the stocks, their efforts were frustrated by Cortes’ watchfulness and the bravery of his soldiers. At last the vessels were finished and launched and as the wind filled their sails a joyous shout was raised, announcing the important event to the whole surrounding region.
Cortes now decided to attack the city from three sides and divided his army into as many columns. Sandoval was given command of the first, Alvarado of the second, and Olid of the third. The first was to advance from Tezcuco, the second from Tacuba, and the third from Kajahuakan, while Cortes himself, commanding the vessels, was to support them. The three took the positions assigned them and began the advance. Alvarado and Olid on their march destroyed the fine aqueducts which brought the sweet mountain water from many miles away into the island city. The water famine which followed was only the beginning of the many hardships with which the unfortunate people had to contend. From this time on, not a day passed without some fierce encounter. The vessels had to attack a vast swarm of small canoes and the land troops an equally vast swarm of the enemy at the causeways. The frail canoes were soon destroyed or driven ashore, however, but in the encounters at the causeways little was achieved. The Spaniards attacked with the utmost vigor the bulwarks erected to protect the openings, but every night they were forced to retire to the mainland, while the besieged every night restored what they had lost during the day. Notwithstanding all this bloodshed, they made no progress from day to day, and the fatigue of the Spaniards and their allies each day was so great that they began to fear they would gradually succumb.
Chapter XV
The Spaniards Lose Heavily in Battle—The Prisoners are Sacrificed—Some of Cortes’ Allies Desert but Soon Return—The City of Mexico Captured—Guatemozin Attempts Flight but is Taken
Cortes, realizing that the battle could not be continued in this wise, decided to end the long and wearisome struggle with one bold venture. He arranged for a general attack at a designated time (this was about the end of May, 1521) and ordered each of his commanders to advance into the city with his division, in spite of all obstacles, and post himself there. He himself took command of the force which was to attack the causeway of Cojohuacan, determined to let nothing stop him from reaching the city. The eventful day came. The leaders placed themselves at the head of their troops and the tragedy began. It was a thrilling spectacle, the irresistible advance of the Spaniards and the stubborn resistance of the Mexicans. Nothing could withstand the onset of Cortes. He carried one defence after the other in desperate charges, cut down or shot down everything before him, and pursued the flying enemy into the city.
Guatemozin, who had been informed of all that was transpiring, rejoiced at the imprudence of the enemy as he realized the advantage it placed in his hands. He immediately ordered several strong detachments to march by different roundabout ways to the abandoned causeways, enlarge the openings as much as possible, and hold their positions there. The rest of his warriors, who were engaged in a hand to hand struggle with the enemy, gradually fell back in order to lure the excited Spaniards farther into the city. His cunning scheme was successful. Assuming that his orders had been executed, Cortes without hesitation drove the enemy from one street to another and at last reached the very place where Guatemozin was awaiting him with the flower of his warriors.
Suddenly, at a signal from the Emperor, the hollow boom of the war god’s sacred drum was heard from the adjacent temple—a sound which always filled the Mexican with indescribable rage and utter contempt of death. In an instant the Spaniards, to their astonishment, found themselves attacked on all sides so furiously that with all their courage and skill they were unable to withstand it. They began falling back slowly in close ranks and maintaining the defensive, but as the numbers of the enemy increased every moment and their attack grew more furious, they gradually began to seek safety in flight. At last their ranks broke. All, Spaniards and Tlaxcalans, foot-soldiers and horsemen, fled in disorder to the nearest causeway where their terror was still further increased by finding the enemy in possession.