Chivalric Spirit of the Age 340 Cortés surveys the Country 342 Vigilance in his Quarters 342 Battles at Xochimilco 343 Spaniards Masters of the Town 344 Conflagration of Xochimilco 346 Army arrives at Cojohuacan 347 Ambuscade of the Indians 349 Spaniards enter Tacuba 350 View from its Teocalli 350 Strong Emotion of Cortés 351 Return of Tezcuco 352 CHAPTER IV CONSPIRACY IN THE ARMY--BRIGANTINES LAUNCHED--MUSTER OF FORCES--EXECUTION OF XICOTENCATL--MARCH OF THE ARMY--BEGINNING OF THE SIEGE Affairs in Spain 354 Conspiracy in the Camp 356 Its Design 357 Disclosed to Cortez 358 The Ringleader Executed 359 Policy of Cortés 360 The General’s Body-guard 362 Brigantines launched 363 Impression on the Spectators 364 Muster of Forces 364 Instructions to the Allies 366 Cortés distributes his Troops 367 His Spirited Harangue 368 Regulations read to the Army 369 Desertion of Xicotencatl 369 His Execution 371 His Character 372 March of the Army 373 Quarrels of Olid and Alvarado 373 Spaniards destroy the Aqueduct 374 Commencement of the Siege 376 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS PAGE MONTEZUMA SWEARS ALLEGIANCE TO SPAIN _Frontispiece_ From a painting especially made for this edition by L. Kowalsky. THE STORMING OF THE GREAT TEMPLE 130 After the painting by W. de Leftwich-Dodge