Alvarado's division, however, held at night the ground they won in the daytime; but the troops suffered dreadfully from the incessant toil, and from the rain, which poured down in torrents.

The soldiers of Cortez fared little better, for the buildings in the fort of Xoloc afforded shelter but to few; and the rest had to sleep on the causeway in its rear, exposed to all the tempestuous weather.
Frequently, too, they were called up to battle; for the Aztec emperor, contrary to the usual practice of his countrymen, frequently attacked by night; often making simultaneous attacks on the three divisions on the causeways, while at the same moment troops from the neighboring towns attacked their camps in the rear.
He did not content himself with open attacks, but resorted to stratagem.

On one occasion he had a large number of canoes in ambuscade, among some tall reeds bordering the lake.

Several large boats then rowed near the Spanish vessels.

Believing that they were filled with provisions intended for the city, two of the smaller vessels pursued them.