Suddenly Sandoval observed a strongly manned canoe being rowed with great speed directly across the lake. He also observed what the canoe contained and at once gave chase. Holquin, whose vessel was the fastest, reached it first, but as soon as the rowers found that he was about to open fire, they dropped their oars and begged him to spare the life of the Emperor. Overjoyed at the honor his good fortune had brought him, Holquin sprang with drawn sword into the canoe. Guatemozin met him nobly and fearlessly, and said he was his prisoner and ready to follow him, praying only that his wife and her attendant should meet with honorable treatment. He turned to the latter, spoke a few words of encouragement, and then extended his hand to conduct them to the vessel. That moment—it was the thirteenth of August, 1521—decided the fate of the whole Mexican Empire which in the person of its Emperor was delivered into the hands of the Spaniards. Holquin hastened to conduct his prisoner to Cortes who received him upon the shore of the lake with the respect due to his position and his virtues. The unfortunate Guatemozin seemed to accept the courtesy of his conqueror with a certain pleasure and accompanied him with great self-command to his quarters. He seated himself for a moment, then rose and said to Cortes, with the interpreter’s help: “I have done what my duty demanded. I am of no more importance, and a prisoner like me must be a burden to his captor. Rise! take this dagger (placing it in Cortes’ hand) and plunge it into my heart and put an end to my useless life.” His wife wept aloud at these words and Cortes was much agitated. He besought the unfortunate man to calm himself and thereupon left him so as not to increase their trouble by his presence. As soon as it was known that Guatemozin had been captured, the Mexicans laid down their arms and the Spaniards were masters of the city. The first few days were spent in rejoicing over the fortunate outcome of their undertaking, but before long rejoicing changed to discontent at the sight of the small compensation they were likely to receive after so many dangers and hardships. The larger part of the houses were consumed with all their treasures, and when Guatemozin had found that the safety of his capital was doubtful, everything of value in the royal treasury had been thrown into the lake. The booty which was collected was so inconsiderable that many of the Spaniards threw away with contempt the portion assigned to them. They soon began loudly to denounce Guatemozin and next their general, whom they were bold enough to declare had taken the largest part of the treasures.