26 MEXICO AND CENTRAL AMERICA 
pyramids and in other hand-to-hand contests, the in- 
vaders were so weakened that their condition was truly 
alarming. Moctezuma died in captivity and the last 
restraint of the natives was removed. 
The night of June 30, 1520, is famous as La Noche 
Triste—The Sad Night—for on this night the Spaniards 
attempted to steal out of the city that had become 
untenable. The natives were warned by a woman’s 
shriek and a desperate encounter took place on the nar- 
Fig. 7. Ancient Aztecan Canoe. Lienzo de Tezcoco. 
row causeway leading to Tlacopan. ‘The bridges were 
torn down and the Spanish soldiers in armor were 
hemmed in between the deep canals. At last, however, 
the firm land was reached. Here, instead of following 
up the victory, the natives permitted the Spaniards to 
re-form their ranks. A few days later Cortez was able 
to restore something of his lost prestige by the decisive 
victory at Otumba, after which he continued his retreat 
to the friendly Tlascala. 
