CHAPTER XXXIV.
THE CONQUEST ACHIEVED.
July-August, 1521.
The Destroyers Advance — Fierce Fighting in the Plaza — Dismal Situation of the Mexicans — The Work of Demolition — Movements of Alvarado — The Emperor Refuses to Parley — Misery OF the Aztecs Unbearable — Horrible Massacre of Women and Children — The Tender-hearted Cortés Mourns over his own Work — Capture of the Emperor — The Conquest Completed — Banquets and Thanksgivings — Dispersion of the Allies to their Homes — Reflections.
With a force of over one hundred and fifty thousand men the Spaniards now advanced on the city, a large proportion destined wholly to raze buildings, fill channels, and remove obstacles, while the rest were to drive back the enemy and keep them at bay. At the channel near the plaza the Mexicans detained the forces for an hour with a peace proposal, in order to gain time for some operation, and then suddenly they began to ply their missiles. Cortés was not slow to accept the challenge, and led the attack with a recklessness that caused his followers to remonstrate with him for exposing so valuable a life. It had the effect, however, of so encouraging the charging party that the channel with its intrenchments was quickly captured. On reaching the plaza they found it covered with loose stones, which prevented the horses from running. Several streets leading to it were blocked with stone barricades. The main effort for this day was directed toward opening the approach to the plaza, which was to serve as the starting-point for
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