Unhorsed and defenseless, he could not make his way across the gap, which was now crowded with the canoes of the enemy.
He set his strong lance on the bottom of the canal and, using it as a leaping pole, sprang across.

The feat was an extraordinary one, for although the width is not given, it was declared, by those who witnessed it, to be impossible for any mortal.

It filled friends and foes alike with astonishment; and the spot is, to this day, known by the Mexicans as "Alvarado's Leap." The Aztecs followed no farther.

They were occupied, now, in securing the enormous wealth the Spaniards had left behind them; and the remnants of the army marched along the causeway unmolested, and took possession of the village at its end.
Cortez, iron hearted as he was, sat down and burst into tears as he viewed the broken remnant of his army.

He was consoled, however, by finding that many of his most trusted companions had escaped.
Sandoval, Alvarado, Olid, Ordaz and Avila were safe; and so, to his great joy, was Marina.