They were followed by the baggage, after which came what was numerically the main portion of the army, six thousand five hundred Tlascalan soldiers.

Keeping on by the shore of the lake, and crossing the narrow strip of hand dividing the Lake of Xochical from that of Tezcuco, they arrived at the head of the great causeway running across the lake to the island on which the capital was built.

The causeway was a massive construction, built of large stones laid in cement, and was wide enough to permit of ten horsemen riding abreast.
The shores of the lake on either side were closely dotted with towns and villages, and the lake itself was well-nigh covered with the canoes and rafts of the natives.

The Spaniards saw, too, with surprise and admiration, floating gardens--some of them of considerable extent--on the surface of the lake, covered with flowers and shrubs.

The scene was the most beautiful that had ever met their eyes, and they were filled with delight and admiration.
Halfway across the causeway they came upon the fort of Xoloc.