Conquest in Detail—Barba Caught—Other Arrivals and Reinforcements—The Small-pox Comes to the Assistance of the Spaniards—Letters to the Emperor—Establishing of Segura de la Frontera—Certain of the Disaffected Withdraw from the Army and Return to Cuba—Division of Spoils—Head-quarters Established at Tlascala 536 CHAPTER XXX. CONSTRUCTION OF THE FLEET. December, 1520-February, 1521. The Objective Point—Vessels Needed—Martin Lopez Sent to Tlascala for Timber—Thirteen Brigantines Ordered—Cortés at Tlascala—Drill and Discipline—Address of the General—Parade of the Tlascaltecs—March to Tezcuco—New Ruler Appointed—Sacking of Iztapalapan—The Chalcans—Arrival at Tezcuco of the Brigantine Brigade 561 CHAPTER XXXI. PRELIMINARY CAMPAIGNS. March-May, 1521. Plan for the Investment of Mexico—Reconnoitring Tour round the Lake—Cortés in Command—Alvarado and Olid Accompany—They Proceed Northward from Tezcuco—Capture of Cities and Strongholds—Xaltocan, Quauhtitlan, Tenayocan, Azcapuzalco, Tlacopan, and back to Tezcuco—Chalco Disturbed—Peace Proposals Sent to Mexico—Further Reconnoissance of the Lake Region—Many Battles and Victories—Quauhnahuac Captured—Burning of Xochimilco—Second Return to Tezcuco—Conspiracy 582 CHAPTER XXXII. INVESTMENT OF MEXICO. May-June, 1521. Phases of Heroism—The Brigantines upon the Lake—Division of Forces between Alvarado, Sandoval, and Olid—Desertion, Capture, and Execution of Xicotencatl—Departure of the Troops from Tezcuco—Naval Battle—Possession Taken of the Causeways—At One Point Cortés Unexpectedly Gains Entrance to the City—But is Driven Out 613 CHAPTER XXXIII. CONTINUATION OF THE SIEGE. June-July, 1521. Something about Quauhtemotzin—Infamous Pretensions of European Civilization and Christianity—Prompt Action of the Mexican Emperor—Repetitions of the Entry Assault—Submission of the Surrounding Nations—Dire Condition of the Mexicans—Spanish Defeat and Disaffection—Resolution to Raze the City 636 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 669