Then I perceived this: galled to madness by the storm of missiles rained upon them from its crest, the Spaniards were attacking the teocalli.

Already they were pouring across the courtyard in large companies, led by Cortes himself, and with them came many hundreds of their allies the Tlascalans.

On the other hand some thousands of the Aztecs were rushing to the foot of the first stairway to give the white men battle there.
Five minutes passed and the fight grew fierce.

Again and again, covered by the fire of the arquebusiers, the Spaniards charged the Aztecs, but their horses slipping upon the stone pavement, at length they dismounted and continued the fray on foot.

Slowly and with great slaughter the Indians were pushed back and the Spaniards gained a footing on the first stairway.