n all the principal nobles of the
empire were to be assembled in the performance of the rites of their
religion, in the court-yard of the great temple. Suddenly Alvarado
came upon them, when they were thus unarmed and unsuspicious,
and, cutting them off from every avenue of escape, with musketry,
artillery, and the keen sabres of his horsemen, mercilessly hewed
them down. Nearly six hundred of the flower of the Mexican nobility
were massacred. Though Cortez was very indignant with his lieutenant
when he heard this story from his lips, and exclaimed, "Your conduct
has been that of a madman," he was still enraged with the Mexicans for
venturing to attack his garrison, and declared that they should feel
the weight of Spanish vengeance.

In his displeasure, he refused to call upon Montezuma. Elated by the
success with which he had thus far triumphed over all obstacles, and
deeming the forces he now had under his command sufficient to sweep,
like chaff before the whirlwind, any armies which the natives could
raise, he gave free utterance to expressions of contempt for both
prince and people. There had been a tacit truce between the two
parties for a few days, and had Cortez disavowed the conduct of his
subaltern, and pursued conciliatory measures, it is possible that the
natives might again have been appeased. The insolent tone he assumed,
and his loud menace of vengeance, aroused the natives anew, and they
grasped their arms with a degree of determination and ferocity never
manifested before.

Bernal Diaz in the following terms records this event:

"Cortez asked Alvarado for what reason he fell upon the
natives while they were dancing and holding a festival in
honor of their gods. To this Alvarado replied that it was in
order to be beforehand with them, having had intelligence of
their hostile intentions toward him from two of their own
nobility and a priest. Cortez then asked of him if it was
true that they had requested of him permission to hold their
festival. The other replied that it was so, and that it was
in order to take them by surprise, and to punish and terrify
them, so as to prevent their making war upon the Spaniards,
that he had determined to fall on them by anticipation. At
hearing this avowal, Cortez was highly enraged. He censured
the conduct of Alvarado in the strongest terms, and in this
temper left him.

"Some say that it wa