INTRODUCTION Q5 
In the Spanish histories one hears much concerning 
the omens, the prophecies, and the vain appeals to the 
gods that became more and more frequent and frantic 
as the invaders approached 
the capital. Arriving at 
Ixtapalapan they entered 
upon the great causeway 
leading out to the Venice- 
like city in the lake. Ac- 
cepting the inevitable, 
Moctezuma and his nobles 
met the Spaniards and con- 
ae ; ducted them to the Palace 
Fig.6. Cortez arrives with ; 
Sword and Cross and Mocte- Of Axayacatl, which was 
zuma brings him Gold. Codex prepared for their habita- 
Vaticanus 3738. , : : 
tion. This took place in 
November, 1519. The fears of Moctezuma were soon 
fulfilled, for he was taken prisoner and held as a hostage 
of safety in his own capital. 
Meanwhile Velasquez, convinced of the unfaithful- 
ness of Cortez, dispatched Narvaez to capture the 
rebellious agent. But Narvaez was himself captured 
and his soldiers went to augment the army of the victor. 
Alvarado had been left in command of the garrison at 
Tenochtitlan during the absence of Cortez. The time 
approached for the great feast of Tezcatlipoca and the 
Spaniards, fearing the results of this appeal to the 
principal Aztecan god, resolved to be the first to strike. 
The multitude assembled in the temple enclosure was 
massacred and after this deed the soldiers fought their 
way back to the stronghold in which they were quar- 
tered. The Aztecs were thoroughly aroused by this 
unwarranted cruelty as well as by the cupidity of the 
Spaniards. Cortez hastened back to take personal 
charge but in spite of victories in the storming of the 
