Alvarado and Sandoval also succeeded in crossing their respective causeways, but neither of them could penetrate into the city.
The attack had failed, but it had strengthened the position of the Spaniards; for seeing the speedy manner in which they had overcome all the defenses erected by the Mexicans, many of the cities which had hitherto stood aloof now sent in their submission, and supplied levies to assist them in their work; while Ixtlilxochitl, who had now become Lord of Tezcuco, and was a strong adherent of the Spaniards, brought up a force of fifty thousand Tezcucans, who were divided among the three armies.
Another simultaneous attack was now made, the advance along the causeway being, as before, covered by the ships; but the enemy fought stoutly, and some hours elapsed before the Spaniards again entered the city.

The advance was now more easy than on the previous occasion, owing to the destruction of the buildings bordering the streets.

The natives, however, still fought with the greatest obstinacy; but the great square was at last reached.
Thinking to discourage the natives, by the destruction of some of the principal edifices, Cortez ordered the palace which had served as the former barracks to be set on fire, as also the house of birds adjoining Montezuma's palace, and those were soon a mass of flames.

The Aztecs, however, were infuriated rather than intimidated; and the fight raged with greater fury than ever.
Having accomplished his object, Cortez again gave the order to fall back and, covered by the cavalry, retired down the street; so desperately assailed, by the natives, that but few men reached the fort unwounded.
Day after day the same tactics were repeated, the Mexicans every night repairing the breaches cleared out every day by the Spanish allies.

Cortez found it impossible to guard the causeway and prevent this, the soldiers being already overcome by the fatigue of their daily encounters.