Page:Vol 1 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/795

Rh and drove them off, killing the leader, who was a prominent officer. For this important service the brave Lopez was rewarded with a captaincy.

Cortés made quite rapid advance in the work of demolition, considering the immensity of it. The Tlacopan road had been levelled, rendering communication easy with the camp of Alvarado, and on the eve of Santiago's day the greater part of the main street to the market was gained. This thoroughfare bore afterward the name of Guatemotzin, because this emperor's palace was here situated. Strongly fortified, its capture was not effected without a severe struggle, wherein many a brave fellow met his fate. During the fight Alderete's horse became unmanageable from a thrust, and rushed amid the enemy in mad fury, creating more disorder by his pawing and biting than a squad of soldiers could have done.

Equally severe was the struggle on the following days in entering and filling a street with a wide canal, adjoining the main road. At the same time was taken a temple, wherein a number of impaled bearded heads stared the horrified Spaniards in the face. Tears filled the eyes of the beholders, and