After a long and obstinate fight, the Spaniards and their allies were obliged to fall back, with considerable loss; and Olid drew off with his division to his station commanding the other causeway.
Iztapalapan having been again occupied by the enemy, Sandoval's division attacked them by land; while Cortez, with his fleet, lay off the shore.

After capturing the town, Cortez turned his attention to the canoes of the natives, which darkened the surface of the lake.

At this moment a fresh breeze sprang up; and the ships, spreading their canvas, dashed amongst the canoes, overturning and destroying great numbers; while the cannon tore others to pieces, with discharges of bullets; and comparatively few succeeded in regaining the city.
It was now getting nearly dark, and the fleet coasted along the great southern causeway to the fort of Xoloc, where another branch of the causeway joined the main dike.
The fort was feebly garrisoned.

Cortez landed his soldiers and carried it by storm.

Here he established his headquarters, landing some of the cannon from the ships to strengthen the position.
He was now within half a league of the city, and two out of the three great approaches were already in his hands.